Stevie Wonder will release up to three new albums during 2014; Will perform 'Songs in The Key of Life' for holiday special

Stevie Wonder hasn't released a new record in more than eight years, but the R&B legend will be coming back at listeners in a big way when 2014 comes around. The pianist confirmed rumors from earlier in the year that he'd begun work on a new album, and one-upped them by announcing that he may release as many as three new LPs next year.

The first two, which are guaranteed, will be titled When The World Began and Ten Billion Hearts. The vocalist stated that the albums would be inspired by his children, change and heartbreak, all themes that presumably resonate from his divorce last year. Wonder has said in different interviews that his new music would be inspired by hip-hop, but would also feature orchestral contributions.

The possible third album will be in tribute to his late mother, Lulu Mae Hardaway, who passed away during 2006. He had promised her that he would record a gospel album, and he aims to do so during 2013.

"We're going to do some traditional gospel stuff, but I'm thinking about doing a gospel song in Arabic," he said. "I'm going to twist it all up in different ways, because I think everyone needs to hear the word of the gospel. The word of gospel really is love and it really is about people following the word, whether they read the Qur'an, the Torah or the Bible, whatever they read."

Perhaps more exciting for fans of Wonder's wonder years was the announcement that the performer would be doing live performances of the entirety of his classic album, Songs in The Key of Life as part of his annual Christmas benefit, "House Full of Toys."