"It's a Shame" (The Spinners)

"It's a Shame" by The Spinners (1970) was the first of many steps toward autonomy for then 20-year-old Stevie Wonder.  He'd already been recording and touring for the "Motown machine" for the better part of a decade when, inspired by the example of label mate Marvin Gaye, he began pushing to write his own material and produce other artists, too.
Along with producing his own hit single "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" in 1970, he ended up being allowed to work with The Spinners, who'd languished without a hit for 10 years until "It's a Shame" came along.  Written with his musician friend Lee Garrett and eventual ex-wife Syreeta Wright, the song actually is about a rough patch that Wonder and Wright were going through in their relationship.  (Hearing lead singer G.C. Cameron crooning about emotional manipulation and catty cruelty makes one think those two should never have been a couple to begin with.)
In spite of its subject matter, the track has an ebullient groove, complete with bright, shiny horns and a tasty electric guitar riff.  It's also a showcase for Wonder's drumming abilities, which are every bit as impressive as his harmonica skills.  Listen to how he structures the groove: he plays the kick drum just a touch behind the beat but then uses that intricate hi-hat pattern to push the meter a little.  It creates a sense of tension and also gives track a little swagger and swing.  (The man truly is a genius.)
Incidentally, the single holds the distinction of being the only Top 20 single The Spinners recorded for Motown before being dropped by the label in 1971.  The very next year, the group was picked up by Atlantic Records and ended up recording a string of huge hit singles under the direction of writer/producer Thom Bell, who turned them into one of the top-selling R&B groups of the 70s.  (Now that is a shame.)