Stevie Wonder's third soundtrack, following Journey Through The Secret Life Of Plants and The Woman In Red, Jungle Fever scored Spike Lee's 1991 film, which concerned a black man falling for a white woman. The energy inherent in Spike Lee's films of that time, such as She's Gotta Have It and Do The Right Thing, seeped into Wonder's own work.
The opening track, 'Fun Day', is a fitting title. After the artificial and directionless AOR sound of Characters and some parts of In Square Circle, 'Fun Day' jumps along, featuring uplifting piano and harmonica solos from a cheered Wonder.
Despite the same use of synth bass and horns which hampered his recent work, 'Queen In The Black' has some fire, provided by Wonder's engaged vocal and catchy backing vocals. The synth instruments never dictate the track's feeling, the energy provided by Wonder's voice.
These Three Words
Wonder harks back to the piano-led style of ballads such as 'Lately' with 'These Three Words', a sweet message to tell your loved ones that they are exactly that. Released as a single, it failed to indent on the pop charts, but reached number 7 on the R&B chart. The fast-rising, multi-key vocal performance of Wonder demonstrates a dazzling control of his voice.
'Each Other's Throat' is less sure, an overly-busy track full of sound tricks and an ill-advised rap from Wonder. 'If She Breaks Your Heart' is a gentle ballad, featuring a lead vocal from Kimberly Brewer, daughter of Shirley, a key member of Wonderlove in the 1970s. The use of a female voice provides a different ambience, and evokes memories of Wonder's work with his ex-wife Syreeta.
Gotta Have You
Jungle Fever's lead single and an R&B number 3, 'Gotta Have You' had a strong early-90s sound, albeit punctuated with more adventurous synth work and a definite retro groove. Wonder's most funked-up vocal since the early 80s was admirably backed by strong backing support from Brewster and several others. Wonder allows some improvisation with his synthesizers, and the track benefits from a less formulaic approach.
'Make Sure You're Sure' is another ballad, a genre which increasingly made up the bulk of Wonder's albums. Touching at drama with its powerful vocal and string backing, 'Make Sure You're Sure' never fully reaches an emotional crescendo, and seems somewhat forced.
Jungle Fever
The title track, 'Jungle Fever' proves a fun and exciting dismissal of racial prejudice. A more engaging piece than the similarly-themed hit 'Ebony and Ivory' Wonder recorded with Paul McCartney, 'Jungle Fever' calls on African percussion and choral singing to add a street jam sound which creates the impression of a popular uproar. Wonder's never-ending optimism, a key component of his politics, is given a clear expression on the track.
'I Go Sailing' returns to the ballad format, and a comparatively less engaged Wonder. Jungle Fever had been completed in a relatively short period of time, with Wonder only having around three months from commission to completion. Relatively lightweight inclusions such as 'I Go Sailing' are indicative of this lack of time.
'Chemical Love' is more substantive, an anti-drugs message with lyrics from Stephanie Andrews. Deploring pushers and users who are aware of the consequences, Andrews and Wonder question why too few people look for spiritual love, and prefer the quicker fixes of material, physical or chemical enjoyment.
Lighting Up The Candles
Jungle Fever closes with 'Lighting Up The Candles', a song which had begun life following Marvin Gaye's murder in 1984. A short poem of the lyrics had appeared in the liner notes of In Square Circle, with a dedication to Gaye. The track is a lament to those who have died too soon, and the intent is admirable, although its emotions are hampered by an uninspired backing track.
Jungle Fever was a success as both a film and a soundtrack. The film broke Spike Lee on the international scene, and the record provided Wonder with another R&B number one album. Before Spike Lee's commission, Wonder had been working on his next studio album, Conversation Peace, with an intent that suggested a short wait. Ultimately, it took Wonder another four years to complete.
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