One to One (Syreeta album)
Syreeta Wright's third album, with minimal Stevie Wonder involvement.
One to One, the third studio album from American R&B singer and songwriter Syreeta Wright, hit shelves in February 1977 on the Motown label. This release marked a shift for Wright: it was her first album where her former husband, Stevie Wonder, did not handle the bulk of the production. His only contribution to the record was the single "Harmour Love."
Quick Facts
- Artist
- Syreeta
- Released
- February 9, 1977
- Recorded
- 1975 – January 1977
- Genre
- R&B
- soul
- smooth soul
- disco
- reggae
- funk
- Afrobeat
- Length
- 40:10
- Label
- Tamla
- Producer
- Leon Ware
- Syreeta Wright
- Curtis Robertson Jr.
- Stevie Wonder ("Harmour Love" only)
Facts from the source article.
Background
By the time of One to One, Wright was a noted but overlooked Motown artist. She began as a session backing vocalist for Diana Ross and the Supremes and Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, and co-wrote hits including The Spinners' "It's a Shame" and Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" and "If You Really Love Me." She also wrote lyrics for most of Wonder's compositions on Where I'm Coming From, Music of My Mind, and Talking Book. Her first two albums, Syreeta and Stevie Wonder Presents: Syreeta, were critically acclaimed but commercially unsuccessful, though the latter had hits in the United Kingdom. In 1975, Wright and Wonder wrote the reggae-flavored "Harmour Love." Because Wonder was busy with Songs in the Key of Life, Wright handled most of the third album herself. Hip-hop group G-Unit sampled "I Too Am Wanting" in their single "Smile," and Curren$y's group Jet Life sampled it in "1st Place."
Recording
Wright hired Leon Ware and her then-husband Curtis Robertson Jr. to collaborate, and took on production duties herself for the first time. Most material was recorded at Motown's Los Angeles studios, inspired by a 1975 trip to Ethiopia where she spent three months as a transcendental meditation teacher. Upon returning, she wore braids and was emotionally influenced by the stay. Wright and Robertson wrote most songs, with Ware arranging music and production. Wright sang her own background vocals, with assistance from Jim Gilstrap and Ware. Ware, known for work with Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson's "I Wanna Be Where You Are," had also worked with Marvin Gaye on I Want You and Minnie Riperton on Adventures in Paradise. His sensual productions touched some songs, including those where Wright used her whistle register. The only song Wright did not compose was "Tiki Tiki Donga," written by Robertson and Ware, with Wright reaching high vibrato notes. Other songs like the title track, "Rest Yourself," and "Don't Cry" were solely by Wright and Robertson. Ware co-wrote "I Too Am Wanting" and co-wrote "I Don't Know" with Wright. The sole Wonder production, "Harmour Love," was added last minute. A planned photo shoot was delayed due to Wright's braids, so Motown hired a graphic artist to paint an image of her with braids flying. Wright was reassigned before release to Tamla Records.
Reception
Released on February 9, 1977, this album didn't give Syreeta Wright any commercial hits in the United States, but the track "Harmour Love" did see some chart activity. That song had come out as a single in 1975 in the United Kingdom, where it climbed to number 32 on the UK Singles Chart that July, helped by the earlier success of "Your Kiss Is Sweet" from the album Stevie Wonder Presents: Syreeta. "Harmour Love" also reached number 75 on the R&B chart. Wright filmed a music video for the song, showing her performing it inside a recording studio. Critics gave the album a warm reception when it first came out. Later in 1977, Wright turned her attention to duet work with singer G.C. Cameron on the album Rich Love, Poor Love.
More in Band Members & Collaborators
Elsewhere in Stevie Wonder
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced