"Master Blaster (Jammin')" is a 1980 song by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, released as the lead single from his nineteenth studio album, Hotter than July (1980). It was a major hit, spending seven weeks at number one on the US Billboard R&B singles chart, reaching number five on Billboard's pop singles chart in the fall of 1980 and peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart, number two in Australia (Australian Music Report chart) and number one in New Zealand.
History The song, built on a heavy reggae feel, is an ode to reggae legend Bob Marley; Wonder had been performing live with Marley (billing him as an opening act) on his US tour in the fall of that year. Lyrics mention "children of Jah", "Marley's Hot on the box" and the end of the civil war in Zimbabwe. The song has a similar feel to Marley's own song "Jamming," from his 1977 album Exodus.
Record World said that it combines "topical urban street themes with reggae-pop rhythms."
Personnel Stevie Wonder – vocals, Fender Rhodes, clavinet Nathan Watts – bass Benjamin Bridges – guitar Dennis Davis – drums Earl DeRouen – percussion Isaiah Sanders – organ Hank Redd – saxophone Larry Gittens – trumpet Rick Zunigar – guitar Background vocals – Angela Winbush, Alexandra Brown Evans, Shirley Brewer, Marva Holcolm
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1980–1981)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)2Canada Top Singles (RPM)22Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)10Spain (AFE)10US Cash Box Top 1001
Year-end charts Chart (1980)PositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)27Belgium (Ultratop)9Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)11Netherlands (Single Top 100)18New Zealand (RIANZ)19Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)Swiss Year-End Charts, 198013UK Singles (OCC)25US Cash Box Top 10038 Chart (1981)PositionUS Billboard Hot 100Musicoutfitters.com69US Hot Soul Singles (Billboard)2
Certifications
DJ Luck & MC Neat version
"Master Blaster (Jammin')" was covered by UK garage duo DJ Luck & MC Neat featuring singer JJ, initially titled as "On da Street" which was released on the Red Rose EP in 1999. The following year, on 15 May 2000, the song was released as a single and retitled as "Masterblaster 2000". This version was a top-five hit, peaking at number five on the UK Singles Chart. It samples the All-Star Remix of "No Diggity" by Blackstreet, which itself samples "As Long as I've Got You" by the Charmels.
In November 2016, UK duo Gorgon City compiled a list of their top UK garage songs for Billboard, with "Masterblaster 2000" at number 29. In 2018, the House & Garage Orchestra together with MC Neat and Oggie recorded an orchestral version for the UK garage covers album Garage Classics.
Charts Weekly charts Chart (2000)PeakpositionEurope (Eurochart Hot 100)24
Year-end charts Chart (2000)PositionUK Singles (OCC)149
Certifications
References