Today in 1976 Stevie Wonder released arguably the greatest album of his incomparable career. A sublime mix of funk, soul, strings, R&B, and pop, "Songs in the Key of Life" capped a four album run - "Talking Book", "Innervisions", "Fulfillingness' First Finale" - that would have propelled any other artist on the planet into the Hall of Fame. For Stevie it was simply four of 23 albums he would record.

Stevie was at the apex of his career as his previous three albums were top-5 smashes. This success, coupled with rumors of his impending retirement, sparked a bidding war which led to him signing an, at the time, unprecedented 7-album, $37 million recording contract. In today's dollars it would be equivalent to $172 million.

Stevie didn't let the success go to his head. Despite some delays and difficulties, he delivered a double album that included a bonus EP, which would sell over 10 million copies. He collected four Grammys for his effort, including album of the year. The Grammy haul alone would be remarkable had Stevie not won back to back album of the year awards in 1974 and 1975 for "Innervisions" and "Fulfillingness'".

"Songs in the Key of Life" would inspire a legion of rock, pop and hip hop stars and is often mentioned as one of the greatest albums in history. If you haven't heard it you owe it to yourself to check it out. If you have heard it then join me on a trip down memory lane.