Earth, Wind & Fire | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Earth, Wind & Fire were one of the most musically accomplished, critically acclaimed, and commercially popular funk bands of the 70s. Conceived by drummer, bandleader, songwriter, kalimba player, and occasional vocalist Maurice White, EWFs all-encompassing musical vision used funk as its foundation, but also incorporated jazz, smooth soul, gospel, pop, rock & roll, psychedelia, blues, folk, African music, and, later on, disco. Lead singer Philip Bailey gave EWF an extra dimension with his talent for crooning sentimental ballads in addition to funk workouts; behind him, the band could harmonize like a smooth Motown group, work a simmering groove like the J.B.s, or improvise like a jazz fusion outfit. Plus, their stage shows were often just as elaborate and dynamic as George Clintons P-Funk empire. More than just versatility for its own sake, EWFs eclecticism was part of a broader concept informed by a cosmic, mystical spirituality and an uplifting positivity the likes of which hadnt been seen since the early days of Sly & the Family Stone. Tying it all together was the accomplished songwriting of Maurice White, whose intricate, unpredictable arrangements and firm grasp of hooks and structure made EWF one of the tightest bands in funk when they wanted to be. Not everything they tried worked, but at their best, Earth, Wind & Fire seemingly took all that came before them and wrapped it up into one dizzying, spectacular package. White founded Earth, Wind & Fire in Chicago in 1969. He had previously honed his chops as a session drummer for Chess Records, where he played on songs by the likes of Fontella Bass, Billy Stewart, and Etta James, among others. In 1967, hed replaced Redd Holt in the popular jazz group the Ramsey Lewis Trio, where he was introduced to the kalimba, an African thumb piano he would use extensively in future projects. In 1969, he left Lewis group to form a songwriting partnership with keyboardist Don Whitehead and singer Wade Flemons. This quickly evolved into a band dubbed the Salty Peppers, which signed with Capitol and scored a regional hit with "La La Time." When a follow-up flopped, White decided to move to Los Angeles, and took most of the band with him; he also renamed them Earth, Wind & Fire, after the three elements in his astrological charts. By the time White convinced his brother, bassist Verdine White, to join him on the West Coast in 1970, the lineup consisted of Whitehead, Flemons, female singer Sherry Scott, guitarist Michael Beal, tenor saxophonist Chet Washington, trombonist Alex Thomas, and percussionist Yackov Ben Israel. This aggregate signed a new deal with Warner Bros. and issued its self-titled debut album in late 1970. Many critics found it intriguing and ambitious, much like its 1971 follow-up, The Need of Love, but neither attracted much commercial attention despite a growing following on college campuses and a high-profile gig performing the soundtrack to Melvin Van Peebles groundbreaking black independent film Sweet Sweetbacks Baadasssss Song. Dissatisfied with the results, White dismantled the first version of EWF in 1972, retaining only brother Verdine. He built a new lineup with female vocalist Jessica Cleaves, flute/sax player Ronnie Laws, guitarist Roland Bautista, keyboardist Larry Dunn, and percussionist Ralph Johnson; the most important new addition, however, was singer Philip Bailey, recruited from a Denver R&B; band called Friends & Love. After seeing the group open for John Sebastian in New York, Clive Davis signed them to CBS, where they debuted in 1972 with Last Days and Time. Further personnel changes ensued; Laws and Bautista were gone by years end, replaced by reedman Andrew Woolfolk and guitarists Al McKay and Johnny Graham. It was then that EWF truly began to hit their stride. 1973s Head to the Sky (Cleaves last album with the group) significantly broadened their cult following, and the 1974 follow-up, Open Our Eyes, was their first genuine hit. It marked their first collaboration with producer, arranger, and sometime-songwriting collaborator Charles Stepney, who helped streamline their sound for wider acceptance; it also featured another White brother, Fred, brought in as a second drummer. The single "Mighty Mighty" became EWFs first Top Ten hit on the R&B; charts, although pop radio shied away from its black-pride subtext, and the minor hit "Kalimba Story" brought Maurice Whites infatuation with African sounds to the airwaves. Open Our Eyes went gold, setting the stage for the bands blockbuster breakthrough. In 1975, EWF completed work on another movie soundtrack, this time to a music-biz drama called Thats the Way of the World. Not optimistic about the films commercial prospects, the group rushed out their soundtrack album of the same name (unlike Sweet Sweetback, they composed all the music themselves) in advance. The film flopped, but the album took off; its lead single, the love-and-encouragement anthem "Shining Star," shot to the top of both the R&B; and pop charts, making Earth, Wind & Fire mainstream stars; it later won a Grammy for Best R&B; Vocal Performance by a Group. The album also hit number one on both the pop and R&B; charts, and went double platinum; its title track went Top Five on the R&B; side, and it also contained Baileys signature ballad in the album cut "Reasons." White used the new income to develop EWFs live show into a lavish, effects-filled extravaganza, which eventually grew to include stunts designed by magician Doug Henning. The band was also augmented by a regular horn section, the Phoenix Horns, headed by saxophonist Don Myrick. Their emerging concert experience was chronicled later that year on the double-LP set Gratitude, which became their second straight number one album and featured one side of new studio tracks. Of those, "Sing a Song" reached the pop Top Ten and the R&B; Top Five, and the ballad "Cant Hide Love" and the title track were also successful. Sadly, during the 1976 sessions for EWFs next studio album, Spirit, Charles Stepney died suddenly of a heart attack. Maurice White took over the arranging chores, but the Stepney-produced "Getaway" managed to top the R&B; charts posthumously. Spirit naturally performed well on the charts, topping out at number two. In the meantime, White was taking a hand in producing other acts; in addition to working with his old boss Ramsey Lewis, he helped kickstart the careers of the Emotions and Deniece Williams. 1977s All n All was another strong effort that charted at number three and spawned the R&B; smashes "Fantasy" and the chart-topping "Serpentine Fire"; meanwhile, the Emotions topped the pop charts with the White-helmed smash "Best of My Love." The following year, White founded his own label, ARC, and EWF appeared in the mostly disastrous film version of Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, turning in a fine cover of the Beatles "Got to Get You Into My Life" that became their first Top Ten pop hit since "Sing a Song." Released before years end, The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 produced another Top Ten hit (and R&B; number one) in the newly recorded "September." 1979s I Am contained EWFs most explicit nod to disco, a smash collaboration with the Emotions called "Boogie Wonderland" that climbed into the Top Ten. The ballad "After the Love Has Gone" did even better, falling one spot short of the top. Although I Am became EWFs sixth straight multi-platinum album, there were signs that the groups explosion of creativity over the past few years was beginning to wane. 1980s Faces broke that string, after which guitarist McKay departed. While 1981s Raise brought them a Top Five hit and R&B; chart-topper in "Lets Groove," an overall decline in consistency was becoming apparent. By the time EWF issued its next album, 1983s Powerlight, ARC had folded, and the Phoenix Horns had been cut loose to save money. After the lackluster Electric Universe appeared at the end of the year, White disbanded the group to simply take a break. In the meantime, Verdine White became a producer and video director, while Philip Bailey embarked on a solo career and scored a pop smash with the Phil Collins duet "Easy Lover." Collins also made frequent use of the Phoenix Horns on his 80s records, both solo and with Genesis. Bailey reunited with the White brothers, plus Andrew Woolfolk, Ralph Johnson, and new guitarist Sheldon Reynolds, in 1987 for the album Touch the World. It was surprisingly successful, producing two R&B; smashes in "Thinking of You" and the number one "System of Survival." Released in 1990, Heritage was a forced attempt to contemporize the groups sound, with guest appearances from Sly Stone and MC Hammer; its failure led to the end of the groups relationship with Columbia. They returned on Reprise with the more traditional-sounding Millennium in 1993, but were dropped when the record failed to recapture their commercial standing despite a Grammy nomination for "Sunday Morning"; tragedy struck that year when onetime horn leader Don Myrick was murdered in Los Angeles. Bailey and the White brothers returned once again in 1997 on the small Pyramid label with In the Name of Love. After 2003s The Promise, a mix of new material and fresh looks at classics, the group realigned with several top-shelf adult contemporary artists and released 2005s Illumination, which featured a collaboration with smooth jazz juggernaut Kenny G. The album was Grammy-nominated in the category of Best R&B; Album. Earth, Wind & Fire continued to tour and made a show-opening appearance on American Idols Idol Gives Back show in 2007. Three years later, Maurice and Verdine White, Bailey, Dunn, and McKay were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. The band released Now, Then & Forever, their first album in five years, in 2013. Three years later, on February 3, 2016, Maurice White died from the effects of Parkinsons disease at his home in Los Angeles; he was 74 years old. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 39 Title: The Need of Love Released: 1971 Tracks: 5 Duration: 31:50 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Energy (09:40) 2 Beauty (04:15) 3 I Can Feel It in My Bones (05:07) 4 I Think About Lovin’ You (05:59) 5 Everything Is Everything (06:46) |
| The Need of Love : Allmusic album Review : The ambitions of Earth, Wind & Fire only increased after their stellar debut, and the group brought an abstract sense of composition to their sophomore record, The Need of Love. The opener, a ten-minute piece named "Energy," is proof enough, with several extended passages inspired by everything from free jazz as well as in-the-pocket funk like Kool & the Gang. The next song up, "Beauty" is also positive and intriguing, though in an overly similar groove as "Fan the Fire" from the first album. The closer, a cover of Donny Hathaways gloriously funky "Everything Is Everything," does justice to the original (and thats saying a lot). Compared to the debut, The Need of Love lacks a sense of exuberance as well as a passel of solid songs and performances. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 39 Title: Last Days and Time Released: 1972 Tracks: 11 Duration: 39:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Time Is on Your Side (03:40) 2 Interlude (00:23) 3 They Don’t See (03:31) 4 Interlude (00:23) 5 Make It With You (03:26) 6 Power (08:14) 7 Remember the Children (04:03) 8 Interlude (00:52) 9 Where Have All the Flowers Gone (04:52) 10 I’d Rather Have You (04:40) 11 Mom (05:49) |
| Last Days and Time : Allmusic album Review : Earth, Wind & Fire were nothing if not ambitious, and by the time of their third album they had forged an individual sound by absorbing nearly everything that had gone before them in the previous ten years. It was as if they were trying to encapsulate every eclectic foray pursued by Motown, from catchy, rhythmic pop to churning funk, and even from Stevie Wonder singing borrowed folk songs like "Blowin in the Wind" (here, Philip Bailey did "Where Have All the Flowers Gone") to the schmaltzy, string-filled pop that spelled legitimacy to Motown. Not only that, they wanted to incorporate Sly & the Family Stones horn-filled, gutbucket R&B; and some of the fusion style of Weather Report. On Last Days and Time, they succeeded in pulling all that into their orbit, but they hadnt yet managed one crucial thing: they hadnt learned to write hits. That would come next. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 39 Title: Head to the Sky Released: 1973 Tracks: 6 Duration: 36:50 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Evil (04:59) 2 Keep Your Head to the Sky (05:10) 3 Build Your Nest (03:17) 4 The World’s a Masquerade (04:48) 5 Clover (05:27) 6 Zanzibar (13:06) |
| Head to the Sky : Allmusic album Review : As phenomenally popular as Earth, Wind & Fire was from the mid-70s to the early 80s, its easy to forget that the band was hardly an overnight success. With Head to the Sky -- EWFs fourth album overall, second with Philip Bailey, and second for Columbia -- Maurice Whites very spiritual and ambitious brand of soul and funk was starting to pay off commercially. The Latin-influenced "Evil" became the soulsters biggest hit up to that point, and material ranging from the hauntingly pretty title song (which boasts one of Baileys finest performances ever) to the jazz fusion gem "Zanzibar" is just as rewarding. The lineup White unveiled with Last Days and Time was working out beautifully; Bailey was clearly proving to be a major asset. Also worth noting is the presence of singer Jessica Cleaves, who left after this album and, several years later, resurfaced in George Clintons eccentric female group the Brides of Funkenstein. EWF still had what was basically a cult following, but that was beginning to change with Head to the Sky. And when EWF took off commercially in 1974 and 1975, many new converts went back and saw for themselves just how excellent an album Head to the Sky was. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 39 Title: Open Our Eyes Released: 1974-02-22 Tracks: 15 Duration: 54:46 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Mighty Mighty (03:03) 2 Devotion (04:50) 3 Fair but So Uncool (03:39) 4 Feelin’ Blue (04:28) 5 Kalimba Story (04:01) 6 Drum Song (05:10) 7 Tee Nine Chee Bit (03:45) 8 Spasmodic Movements (01:50) 9 Rabbit Seed (00:31) 10 Caribou (03:25) 11 Open Our Eyes (05:06) 12 Ain’t No Harm to Moan (Slave Song) (05:21) 13 Fair but So Uncool (Walkin’ in N’awlins mix) (03:37) 14 Step’s Tune (02:33) 15 Dreams (03:22) |
| Open Our Eyes : Allmusic album Review : Finally, after almost half a decade of serious dues-paying, Earth, Wind & Fire took off commercially with its fifth album, Open Our Eyes. EWF had been delivering great albums since 1971, but it wasnt until 1974 that the public proved genuinely receptive to Maurice Whites mystical and unorthodox take on soul and funk. No longer would EWF enjoy only a small cult following. Thanks to treasures like "Kalimba Song," the gritty funk smoker "Mighty Mighty," and the unforgettable "Devotion," Open Our Eyes became EWFs first gold album and went to the top of the R&B; charts. Its also interesting to note that with this album, singer Jessica Cleaves was gone, resulting in the first time EWF had an all-male lineup. | ||
 | Album: 5 of 39 Title: Spirit Released: 1976 Tracks: 9 Duration: 36:26 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Getaway (03:46) 2 On Your Face (04:34) 3 Imagination (05:17) 4 Spirit (03:12) 5 Saturday Nite (04:03) 6 Earth, Wind & Fire (04:41) 7 Departure (00:27) 8 Biyo (03:38) 9 Burnin Bush (06:46) |
| Spirit : Allmusic album Review : With Thats the Way of the World having enjoyed multi-platinum success, Earth, Wind & Fire had a lot to live up to when the time came for another studio project. And the soul powerhouse didnt let anyone down (either commercially or creatively) on the outstanding Spirit, which boasted hits ranging from the optimistic "On Your Face" and the passionate funk classic "Getaway" to the poetic ballad "Imagination." Philip Bailey is as charismatic as ever on "Imagination" and the gorgeous title song. Maurice Whites message and vision (an interesting blend of Afro-American Christianity and Eastern philosophy) was as positive and uplifting as ever, and as always, EWF expressed this positivity without being Pollyanna-ish or corny. And even if one didnt take EWFs calls for unity, hard work, self-respect, and faith in God to heart, they had no problem with their solid grooves. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 39 Title: All n All Released: 1977 Tracks: 14 Duration: 47:12 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Serpentine Fire (03:51) 2 Fantasy (04:38) 3 In the Marketplace (interlude) (00:43) 4 Jupiter (03:11) 5 Love’s Holiday (04:22) 6 Brazilian Rhyme (interlude) (01:20) 7 Ill Write a Song for You (05:23) 8 Magic Mind (03:38) 9 Runnin’ (05:51) 10 Brazilian Rhyme (interlude) (00:53) 11 Be Ever Wonderful (05:08) 12 Would You Mind (demo version) (02:21) 13 Runnin’ (original Hollywood mix) (03:19) 14 Brazilian Rhyme (live, Rio) (02:31) |
| All 'n All : Allmusic album Review : Earth, Wind & Fires artistic and commercial winning streak continued with its ninth album, All N All, the diverse jewel that spawned major hits like "Serpentine Fire" and the dreamy "Fantasy." Whether the visionary soul men are tearing into the hardest of funk on "Jupiter" or the most sentimental of ballads on "Ill Write a Song for You" (which boasts one of Philip Baileys many soaring, five-star performances), All N All was a highly rewarding addition to EWFs catalog. Because EWF had such a clean-cut image and fared so well among pop audiences, some may have forgotten just how sweaty its funk could be. But "Jupiter" -- like "Mighty, Mighty," "Shining Star," and "Getaway" -- underscores the fact that EWF delivered some of the most intense and gutsy funk of the 1970s. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 39 Title: The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 Released: 1978-11 Tracks: 10 Duration: 40:17 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Got to Get You Into My Life (04:03) 2 Fantasy (03:46) 3 Can’t Hide Love (04:10) 4 Love Music (03:55) 5 Getaway (03:46) 6 Thats the Way of the World (05:45) 7 September (03:36) 8 Shining Star (02:51) 9 Reasons (04:59) 10 Sing a Song (03:23) |
| The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 : Allmusic album Review : When it was originally released in 1978, The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 was a succinct, ten-track collection of the groups best and biggest singles up to that point. The excellent "September," a brand-new song, soon became a hit in its own right, and the non-LP Beatles cover "Got to Get You into My Life," recorded for the Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band film, also makes its first appearance on an EWF album here, as does the track "Love Music." EWFs commercial prime hadnt yet ended when this collection appeared; thus, its missing several crucial latter-day hits, including the slinky funk of "Serpentine Fire," the ballad "After the Love Has Gone," and the disco smashes "Lets Groove" and "Boogie Wonderland." But even if its an incomplete hits collection, The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 still ranks as a strong encapsulation of EWF the funk innovators. The singles gathered here constitute some of the richest, most sophisticated music the funk movement ever produced; when the absolute cream of the groups catalog is heard in such a concentrated fashion, the effect is dazzling. Thats why The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 was remastered and reissued along with the rest of EWFs catalog, even though its been supplanted by more extensive single-disc (Greatest Hits), double-disc (The Essential Earth, Wind & Fire), and triple-disc (The Eternal Dance) anthologies. 1998s Greatest Hits now stands as the definitive single-disc EWF overview, but for the budget-minded and the disco-phobic, this still makes for an excellent listen. | ||
 | Album: 8 of 39 Title: I Am Released: 1979-07-16 Tracks: 9 Duration: 37:41 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 In the Stone (04:48) 2 Can’t Let Go (03:28) 3 After the Love Has Gone (04:27) 4 Let Your Feelings Show (05:24) 5 Boogie Wonderland (04:48) 6 Star (04:24) 7 Wait (03:39) 8 Rock That! (03:07) 9 You and I (03:31) |
| I Am : Allmusic album Review : Disco was at the height of its popularity in 1979, when Earth, Wind & Fire responded with its most disco-influenced single ever, the glossy and infectious "Boogie Wonderland." Up to that point, EWF had pretty much ignored disco, and when the band finally acknowledged the style, the soulsters werent about to inundate listeners with it. "Boogie Wonderland" (which features the Emotions, a female group for whom Maurice White had been producing major hits) isnt representative of I Am on the whole. From the hit ballad "After the Love Has Gone" to the exuberant "Let My Feelings Flow," I Am isnt a radical departure from its predecessor, All n All. Though not in a class with Thats the Way of the World, Spirit, or All n All, I Am is a rewarding album that has a lot going for it. | ||
 | Album: 9 of 39 Title: Faces Released: 1980 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:06:02 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Let Me Talk (04:09) 2 Turn It Into Something Good (04:11) 3 Pride (04:13) 4 You (05:11) 5 Sparkle (03:51) 6 Back On The Road (03:34) 7 Song In My Heart (04:19) 8 You Went Away (04:29) 1 And Love Goes On (04:06) 2 Sailaway (04:38) 3 Take It To The Sky (03:51) 4 Win Or Lose (03:55) 5 Share Your Love (03:17) 6 In Time (03:46) 7 Oriental (Interlude) (00:27) 8 Faces (07:40) 9 Pipe Organ (Interlude) (00:25) |
| Faces : Allmusic album Review : Although they were catching more flak from critics for an alleged obsession with sociopolitical commentary and quasi-mystical references, R&B; audiences hadnt yet tired of Earth, Wind & Fire. While this album admittedly had less memorable material and was more dependent on what had become production clichés and stock devices, it still landed plenty of hits on the charts. But it was becoming clear to even the most devoted fans that songs like "Let Me Talk" and "Sparkle" werent their finest hour. | ||
 | Album: 10 of 39 Title: Raise! Released: 1981 Tracks: 12 Duration: 52:36 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Let’s Groove (05:36) 2 Lady Sun (03:39) 3 My Love (04:35) 4 Evolution Orange (04:37) 5 Kalimba Tree (00:24) 6 You Are a Winner (04:09) 7 I’ve Had Enough (04:36) 8 Wanna Be With You (04:36) 9 The Changing Times (05:54) 10 Let’s Groove (Special remixed Holiday version) (06:43) 11 Kalimba Tree (12" version long version) (03:48) 12 Let’s Groove (instrumental) (03:55) |
| Raise! : Allmusic album Review : The end was near for Earth, Wind & Fire. Raise! wasnt quite the disaster it was made out to be at the time, but it was their least distinguished overall album since the early days on Warner Bros., with the exception of their participation in the awful Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band film soundtrack in 1978. "Lets Groove" was just a recycled mid-tempo tune from the mid-70s, and everything else sounded desultory and uninspired. It was no surprise that after two more albums Maurice White and Company decided to take some time away from the scene. | ||
 | Album: 11 of 39 Title: Powerlight Released: 1983-02-07 Tracks: 9 Duration: 41:19 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Fall in Love With Me (05:52) 2 Spread Your Love (03:52) 3 Side by Side (05:57) 4 Straight From the Heart (04:42) 5 The Speed of Love (03:36) 6 Freedom of Choice (04:10) 7 Something Special (04:23) 8 Hearts to Heart (03:45) 9 Miracles (04:58) |
| Powerlight : Allmusic album Review : Many groups lose the steam that propelled them to the top; Earth, Wind & Fire, contemporary sound and all, were still blazing when this album was released. "Fall in Love With Me" was the first single. With its festive rhythm and sauntering vocals, it became a number four hit on the Billboard R&B charts and a number 17 pop hit. The percolating single "Side by Side" was the second release. The precise horns, sensuous female backing vocals, and Maurice Whites animated vocals make this an entertaining piece. Though it should have fared better, it settled in at number 15 on the R&B charts. The final release was "Spread Your Love." The sonically aggressive special effects are contrasted with a soothing chanting chorus. The single peaked at 57. All three of the above feature Maurice White on lead. Throughout the entire album, Whites unifying message is fueled by the aggressive rhythms and relaxing melodies. | ||
 | Album: 12 of 39 Title: Electric Universe Released: 1983-11 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:16:33 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Magnetic (04:17) 2 Touch (04:53) 3 Moonwalk (04:07) 4 Could It Be Right (05:12) 5 Spirit of a New World (04:29) 6 Sweet Sassy Lady (04:10) 7 Were Living in Our Own Time (05:15) 8 Electric Nation (04:28) 9 Magnetic (Extended Dance Remix) (06:22) 10 Magnetic (Instrumental) (05:49) 11 Magnetic (7 Version) (03:50) 12 Spirit Of A New World (Demo Version) (04:36) 13 El Solitario (Were Living In Our Own Time) (Demo Version) (05:15) 14 Heres To Love (Instrumental) (04:23) 15 Club Foot (03:59) 16 Milky Way (05:25) |
| Electric Universe : Allmusic album Review : Commercially, Earth, Wind & Fire were slipping in 1983. Though a decent album, Powerlight wasnt the type of big seller EWF was used to. Maurice White responded with a change of direction that proved to be both a commercial and artistic fiasco. Working with very in-demand (and very formula-oriented) studio figures like Martin Page and David Foster, EWF went for a much slicker and more high-tech approach on the weak and disappointing Electric Universe. White saw that synthesizers and drum machines were playing more and more of a role in both R&B; and pop, and wanted to acknowledge technologys impact on music with this album. But EWF usually ends up sounding insincere and even sterile. The type of synth-funk that worked so well for the System doesnt work for EWF. A few of the songs are interesting (including "Electric Kingdom" and the single "Magnetic"), but they dont prevent Electric Universe from being EWFs weakest album ever. When this release flopped, EWFs members temporarily went their separate ways, with Philip Bailey and Maurice White concentrating on solo careers. | ||
 | Album: 13 of 39 Title: The Collection Released: 1986 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:04:32 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Boogie Wonderland (04:48) 2 Let’s Groove (05:36) 3 Serpentine Fire (03:51) 4 Thats the Way of the World (05:45) 5 Shining Star (02:51) 6 After the Love Has Gone (04:27) 7 Let Me Talk (03:54) 8 September (03:36) 9 Got to Get You Into My Life (04:03) 10 Saturday Nite (04:03) 11 Jupiter (04:28) 12 I’ve Had Enough (04:36) 13 Star (04:24) 14 Can’t Let Go (03:28) 15 Fantasy (04:38) |
 | Album: 14 of 39 Title: Touch the World Released: 1987 Tracks: 10 Duration: 42:46 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 System of Survival (05:00) 2 Evil Roy (04:52) 3 Thinking of You (04:41) 4 You and I (04:04) 5 Musical Interlude: New Horizons (02:03) 6 Money Tight (04:37) 7 Every Now and Then (04:22) 8 Touch the World (05:16) 9 Here Today and Gone Tomorrow (04:00) 10 Victim of the Modern Heart (03:47) |
| Touch the World : Allmusic album Review : Four years passed between 1983s embarrassing Electric Universe and their reunion album, Touch the World. Before the albums release, there was excitement as well as skepticism among Earth, Wind & Fire fans. Was EWF still capable of delivering a great album? And even if it was, how well would the album do in an R&B; market that was radically different than that of the 1970s? As it turned out, a lot of the old magic was still there, and Maurice White and Philip Bailey proved that they could still be a powerful combination. From "Evil Roy" (which describes an urban youths life of crime) to the major hit "System of Survival," Touch the World proved that EWF was still quite capable of excellence. Though White doesnt shy away from technology, he uses it in an organic fashion and remains faithful to the outfits rich history. Despite "System of Survival"s success, the album wasnt the huge commercial hit it deserved to be, but it wasnt a bomb either. | ||
 | Album: 15 of 39 Title: The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Volume II Released: 1988 Tracks: 10 Duration: 43:01 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Turn On (The Beat Box) (04:43) 2 Let’s Groove (05:36) 3 After the Love Has Gone (03:56) 4 Fantasy (03:46) 5 Devotion (04:50) 6 Serpentine Fire (03:51) 7 Love’s Holiday (04:22) 8 Boogie Wonderland (04:48) 9 Saturday Nite (04:03) 10 Mighty Mighty (03:03) |
 | Album: 16 of 39 Title: Dance Trax Released: 1988 Tracks: 9 Duration: 49:37 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 September (03:36) 2 Evil Roy (05:28) 3 Let’s Groove (05:36) 4 Boogie Wonderland (09:21) 5 System of Survivial (07:34) 6 Serpentine Fire (03:51) 7 Fantasy (04:38) 8 Jupiter (03:11) 9 Magnetic (06:22) |
 | Album: 17 of 39 Title: Heritage Released: 1990-01-29 Tracks: 18 Duration: 55:31 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Interlude: Soweto (00:36) 2 Takin’ Chances (03:30) 3 Heritage (04:05) 4 Good Time (04:05) 5 Interlude: Body Wrap (00:23) 6 Anything You Want (04:46) 7 Interlude: Bird (00:36) 8 Wanna be The Man (04:20) 9 Interlude: Close to Home (01:35) 10 Daydreamin’ (04:02) 11 King of Groove (05:21) 12 I’m in Love (04:02) 13 For the Love of You (04:26) 14 Gotta Find Out (04:09) 15 Motor (03:44) 16 Interlude: Faith (01:01) 17 Welcome (04:03) 18 Soweto (reprise) (00:38) |
| Heritage : Allmusic album Review : After making an exciting comeback with the impressive Touch the World, Earth, Wind & Fire disappointed us bitterly with Heritage, which, next to Electric Universe, is the bands weakest and most forgettable album. Heritage suffers from the same problem as Universe -- Maurice White obviously wanted to keep EWF sounding contemporary and up to date, but he ended up with something forced and unnatural. Bringing MC Hammer and the Boyz on board for guest spots and incorporating a heavy dose of hip-hop and urban contemporary elements, EWF goes out of its way to appeal to younger listeners and fails to be true to itself. The high-tech album usually ends up sounding stiff and insincere, like the result of a market meeting rather than artistic inspiration. Even an appearance by Sly Stone doesnt help. This is a release that only completists and avid collectors should spend their money on. | ||
 | Album: 18 of 39 Title: The Love Songs Released: 1991 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:16:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 After the Love Has Gone (04:14) 2 Im in Love (03:54) 3 You (05:05) 4 Reasons (04:59) 5 Sailaway (04:06) 6 Fantasy (04:38) 7 Could It Be Right (05:12) 8 All About Love (06:35) 9 Be Ever Wonderful (05:08) 10 Were Living in Our Own Time (05:17) 11 Daydreaming (03:59) 12 Ill Write a Song for You (05:23) 13 Wait (03:39) 14 Thats the Way of the World (05:45) 15 You Cant Hide Love (04:06) 16 Miracles (04:53) |
 | Album: 19 of 39 Title: The Very Best of Earth, Wind & Fire Released: 1991 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:09:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 In the Stone (04:48) 2 Boogie Wonderland (04:48) 3 Let’s Groove (05:36) 4 Got to Get You Into My Life (04:03) 5 Takin’ Chances (03:30) 6 After the Love Has Gone (04:27) 7 Fall in Love With Me (05:52) 8 Getaway (03:46) 9 Let Me Talk (04:08) 10 Serpentine Fire (03:51) 11 In the Marketplace (interlude) / Jupiter (03:55) 12 Sing a Song (03:23) 13 Reasons (04:59) 14 September (03:36) 15 Fantasy (03:46) 16 Ill Write a Song for You (05:23) |
 | Album: 20 of 39 Title: The Very Best Of Released: 1991 Tracks: 28 Duration: 2:05:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Let’s Groove (05:36) 2 Getaway (03:46) 3 Shining Star (02:51) 4 Spread Your Love (03:52) 5 Reasons (08:20) 6 Can’t Let Go (03:28) 7 Serpentine Fire (03:51) 8 Boogie Wonderland (04:48) 9 Star (04:25) 10 Jupiter (03:11) 11 Electric Nation (04:32) 12 Fall in Love With Me (05:52) 13 And Love Goes On (04:05) 14 Keep Your Head to the Sky (05:10) 1 Fantasy (04:38) 2 Sing a Song (03:23) 3 Magnetic (04:20) 4 I’ve Had Enough (04:32) 5 Got to Get You Into My Life (04:03) 6 Could It Be Right (05:12) 7 After the Love Has Gone (04:27) 8 September (03:36) 9 Wait (03:39) 10 Ill Write a Song for You (05:23) 11 Thats the Way of the World (05:45) 12 Something Special (04:24) 13 I Wanna Be With You (04:36) 14 Saturday Nite (03:57) |
 | Album: 21 of 39 Title: The Eternal Dance Released: 1992-09-22 Tracks: 55 Duration: 3:51:06 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Fan the Fire (04:58) 2 Love Is Life (05:02) 3 I Think About Lovin’ You (05:59) 4 Interlude (00:52) 5 Time Is on Your Side (03:39) 6 Where Have All the Flowers Gone (04:52) 7 Power (08:10) 8 Keep Your Head to the Sky (05:10) 9 Evil (04:59) 10 Mighty Mighty (03:03) 11 Feelin’ Blue (04:28) 12 Hey Girl (interlude) (00:35) 13 Open Our Eyes (05:06) 14 Shining Star (alternate version) (03:23) 15 Happy Feeling (03:18) 16 Reasons (04:59) 17 Shining Star (02:51) 18 Thats the Way of the World (05:45) 1 Kalimba Story / Sing a Message to You (live in Long Island, 1975) (07:23) 2 Head to the Sky / Devotion (live in Atlanta, 1975) (06:28) 3 Sun Goddess (live in Baltimore, 1975) (07:37) 4 Mighty Mighty (Live in Atlanta, 1975) (05:02) 5 Interlude #2 (00:27) 6 Can’t Hide Love (04:10) 7 Sing a Song (03:23) 8 Sunshine (04:16) 9 Getaway (03:56) 10 Saturday Nite (04:03) 11 Spirit (03:12) 12 Ponta De Areia - "Brazilian Rhyme" (interlude) (02:10) 13 Fantasy (04:38) 14 Serpentine Fire (03:53) 15 Ill Write a Song for You (05:23) 16 Be Ever Wonderful (05:23) 17 Brazilian Rhyme (interlude) (01:20) 18 Got to Get You Into My Life (04:10) 1 September (03:36) 2 Boogie Wonderland (04:48) 3 After the Love Has Gone (04:27) 4 In the Stone (04:26) 5 Dirty (interlude) (feat. Junior Wells) (00:53) 6 Let Me Talk (04:08) 7 And Love Goes On (04:05) 8 Pride (04:12) 9 Demo (01:32) 10 Let’s Groove (05:36) 11 Wanna Be With You (04:35) 12 Little Girl (interlude) (00:18) 13 Night Dreamin (03:00) 14 Fall in Love With Me (05:24) 15 Magnetic (04:20) 16 System of Survival (05:00) 17 Thinking of You (04:41) 18 Gotta Find Out (04:06) 19 Thats the Way of the World (live on HBO, 1982) (07:37) |
| The Eternal Dance : Allmusic album Review : Covering three discs and including all the hits, as well as a healthy selection of rarities, The Eternal Dance is not designed for the casual listener; only hardcore fans will remain enthralled through the numerous rarities. Most listeners will be content with the two greatest-hits collections, but this comprehensive box set remains essential for hardcore Earth, Wind & Fire fans. | ||
 | Album: 22 of 39 Title: Millennium Released: 1993-09-14 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:03:54 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Even If You Wonder (04:38) 2 Sunday Morning (04:34) 3 Blood Brothers (05:22) 4 Kalimba Interlude (00:29) 5 Spend the Night (04:23) 6 Divine (04:32) 7 Two Hearts (05:05) 8 Honor the Magic (03:03) 9 Love Is the Greatest Story (04:36) 10 The ‘L’ Word (04:32) 11 Just Another Lonely Night (04:36) 12 Super Hero (04:07) 13 Wouldn’t Change a Thing About You (04:45) 14 Love Across the Wire (03:32) 15 Chicago (Chi‐Town) Blues (04:58) 16 Kalimba Blues (00:37) |
| Millennium : Allmusic album Review : Since the mid-1980s, Earth, Wind & Fires output had been erratic and quite uneven. One never knew whether the veteran soul/funk band would come out with something as impressive as Share the World or something as embarrassing as Heritage. After many years with Columbia, EWF switched to Warner Bros. -- ironically, a label that gave Maurice White and friends the boot back in 1972 -- with Millennium. While Heritage found EWF bending over backwards to appeal to urban contemporary tastes, sounding unnatural and even silly in the process, Millennium is a more honest and organic recording. Though hardly in a class with Thats The Way Of The World or Spirit -- or for that matter, Share The World -- Millennium is a decent offering that finds the crew being true to itself. Much of the material, especially "Sunday Morning," "Chicago (Chi-Town) Blues" and "Honor the Magic," is fairly memorable. Unfortunately, the urban contemporary audience wasnt receptive to EWFs honesty. As influential as EWF had been, and as often as it had been sampled in hip-hop, the group was treated like it was expendable. | ||
 | Album: 23 of 39 Title: Earth, Wind & Fire Released: 1994 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:05:19 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 September (03:36) 2 Boogie Wonderland (04:48) 3 Got to Get You Into My Life (04:03) 4 Saturday Nite (04:03) 5 Jupiter (03:11) 6 Shining Star (02:51) 7 System of Survival (07:34) 8 I Wanna Be the Man (04:19) 9 That’s the Way of the World (05:45) 10 Singasong (03:22) 11 I’ll Write a Song for You (05:23) 12 Spread Your Love (03:52) 13 Side by Side (05:33) 14 Rock That (03:08) 15 Serpentine Fire (03:51) |
 | Album: 24 of 39 Title: Fantasy - Best Released: 1995 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:14:02 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Fantasy (04:38) 2 September (03:36) 3 Boogie Wonderland (04:48) 4 Shining Star (02:51) 5 That’s the Way Best the World (05:45) 6 Sing a Song (03:23) 7 Getaway (03:56) 8 Saturday Nite (04:03) 9 Serpentine Fire (03:51) 10 Got to Get You Into My Life (04:03) 11 After the Love Has Gone (04:27) 12 In the Stone (04:26) 13 Let Me Talk (04:09) 14 Let’s Groove (05:32) 15 Fall in Love With Me (05:25) 16 System Best Survival (05:00) 17 And Love Goes On (04:06) |
 | Album: 25 of 39 Title: Definitive Collection Released: 1995-07-08 Tracks: 25 Duration: 1:48:23 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Shining Star (02:51) 2 Thats the Way of the World (05:45) 3 Sing a Song (03:23) 4 Getaway (03:46) 5 Fantasy (04:38) 6 Got to Get You Into My Life (04:03) 7 September (03:36) 8 Boogie Wonderland (04:48) 9 After the Love Has Gone (04:27) 10 Star (04:24) 11 Can’t Let Go (03:28) 12 And Love Goes On (04:05) 13 Let’s Groove (05:36) 14 Fall in Love With Me (05:52) 15 Magnetic (04:20) 16 System of Survival (05:00) 17 Thinking of You (04:41) 1 Can’t Hide Love (04:10) 2 Saturday Nite (04:03) 3 In the Marketplace (interlude) / Jupiter (03:55) 4 Serpentine Fire (03:51) 5 In the Stone (04:49) 6 Let Me Talk (04:09) 7 Spread Your Love (03:53) 8 Turn On (the Beat Box) (04:40) |
 | Album: 26 of 39 Title: Lets Groove: A Dance Collection Released: 1996 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:13:41 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Fantasy (04:38) 2 Shining Star (02:51) 3 Evil (04:59) 4 System of Survival (05:00) 5 Boogie Wonderland (04:48) 6 Turn On (The Beat Box) (04:42) 7 King of Groove (05:22) 8 September (03:36) 9 Let’s Groove (05:36) 10 Fall in Love With Me (05:55) 11 Magnetic (04:23) 12 Let Me Talk (04:11) 13 Jupiter (03:57) 14 Got to Get You Into My Life (04:03) 15 Thats the Way of the World (05:45) 16 Serpentine Fire (03:51) |
 | Album: 27 of 39 Title: Avatar Released: 1996 Tracks: 13 Duration: 56:19 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Keep It Real (04:51) 2 The Right Time (04:14) 3 Feel U Up (04:06) 4 Avatar (01:49) 5 Cruising (05:41) 6 Revolution (Just Evolution) (05:08) 7 Round and Round (04:00) 8 Change Your Mind (05:31) 9 Love Is Life (04:59) 10 In The Name of Love (05:08) 11 Take You To Heaven (04:33) 12 Rock It (04:26) 13 Bahia (01:51) |
 | Album: 28 of 39 Title: Sing a Song Released: 1996-01-12 Tracks: 9 Duration: 39:09 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Shining Star (02:54) 2 Thats the Way of the World (05:45) 3 Let’s Groove (05:36) 4 Reasons (04:57) 5 Serpentine Fire (03:51) 6 After the Love Has Gone (04:27) 7 Got to Get You Into My Life (04:03) 8 Sing a Song (03:25) 9 Can’t Hide Love (04:10) |
 | Album: 29 of 39 Title: Lets Groove: The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire Released: 1996-10-01 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:16:39 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Let’s Groove (05:36) 2 Boogie Wonderland (04:48) 3 Saturday Nite (04:03) 4 In the Stone (04:26) 5 Ive Had Enough (04:29) 6 Can’t Let Go (03:28) 7 Fall in Love With Me (05:24) 8 Star (04:24) 9 September (03:36) 10 Jupiter (03:11) 11 Got to Get You Into My Life (04:10) 12 Fantasy (04:38) 13 Evil (04:59) 14 Thats the Way of the World (05:45) 15 You Cant Hide Love (04:09) 16 Reasons (04:59) 17 After the Love Has Gone (04:27) |
 | Album: 30 of 39 Title: The Very Best Released: 1997 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:13:42 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Boogie Wonderland (04:48) 2 Let’s Groove (04:03) 3 September (03:36) 4 Fantasy (03:46) 5 After the Love Has Gone (04:27) 6 Shining Star (02:51) 7 Magnetic (04:17) 8 In the Stone (04:47) 9 Fall in Love With Me (03:53) 10 Serpentine Fire (03:51) 11 Got to Get You Into My Life (04:03) 12 Let Me Talk (03:59) 13 Getaway (03:46) 14 I’ve Had Enough (04:32) 15 Thinking of You (04:41) 16 Sing a Song (03:23) 17 Ill Write a Song for You (05:23) 18 Cant Let Go (03:29) |
 | Album: 31 of 39 Title: Lets Groove Released: 1997-06-02 Tracks: 14 Duration: 1:02:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 September (03:36) 2 Let’s Groove (04:03) 3 Fantasy (03:46) 4 Got to Get You Into My Life (04:03) 5 Boogie Wonderland (04:48) 6 Shining Star (02:53) 7 After the Love Has Gone (04:27) 8 Thats the Way of the World (05:45) 9 System of Survival (07:26) 10 Sing a Song (03:23) 11 Fall Into Love With Me (03:51) 12 Reasons (04:55) 13 Side by Side (05:34) 14 Take It Into the Sky (03:49) |
 | Album: 32 of 39 Title: In the Name of Love Released: 1997-07-22 Tracks: 11 Duration: 48:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Rock It (04:26) 2 In the Name of Love (04:49) 3 Revolution (05:08) 4 When Love Goes Wrong (04:48) 5 Fill You Up (04:06) 6 Right Time (04:02) 7 Round and Round (03:54) 8 Keep It Real (04:51) 9 Cruising (05:41) 10 Love Is Life (04:59) 11 Avatar (02:08) |
| In the Name of Love : Allmusic album Review : Earth, Wind & Fires return to Warner Bros. with 1993s Millennium proved to be short-lived -- the album failed to meet the companys expectations commercially. Four years later, EWF ended up on the independent, Miami-based Pyramid label with the surprisingly retro In the Name of Love. More personnel changes had taken place, but thankfully, Maurice and Verdine White and Philip Bailey were still on board for what was EWFs most live-sounding, least high-tech offering since 1983s Powerlight. (However, EWF had been touring without Maurice since 1994). Live horns and real instruments abound, and everything from the ballads "Cruising," "When Love Goes Wrong" and "Right Time" to the punchy funk ditty "Rock It" sounds like it could have been recorded in the 1970s. One very pleasant surprise is a remake of "Love of Life," which the pre-Bailey EWF embraced on its self-titled debut album of 1971. Baileys son, Sir James Bailey, raps on the sociopolitical "Revolution," but on the whole, this excellent CD is unapologetically retro. | ||
 | Album: 33 of 39 Title: Collection Released: 1998 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:11:30 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Fantasy (04:38) 2 September (03:36) 3 Shining Star (02:51) 4 Boogie Wonderland (04:48) 5 Got to Get You Into My Life (04:03) 6 In the Stone (04:48) 7 Let’s Groove (05:36) 8 After the Love Has Gone (04:27) 9 Reasons (04:59) 10 Sing a Song (03:23) 11 Star (04:24) 12 Fall in Love With Me (05:53) 13 Thats the Way of the World (05:45) 14 Getaway (03:46) 15 Can’t Let Go (03:28) 16 System of Survival (04:58) |
 | Album: 34 of 39 Title: Super Hits Released: 1998 Tracks: 10 Duration: 41:18 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Shining Star (02:51) 2 Sing a Song (03:23) 3 In the Stone (04:25) 4 Happy Feeling (03:18) 5 September (03:36) 6 Saturday Nite (04:03) 7 I’ll Write a Song for You (05:23) 8 Boogie Wonderland (04:48) 9 Fall in Love with Me (05:23) 10 Got to Get You Into My Life (04:03) |
 | Album: 35 of 39 Title: Greatest Hits Released: 1998-11-17 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:10:48 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Shining Star (02:51) 2 Thats the Way of the World (05:45) 3 September (03:36) 4 Can’t Hide Love (04:10) 5 Got to Get You Into My Life (04:10) 6 Sing a Song (03:23) 7 Gratitude (03:27) 8 Serpentine Fire (03:51) 9 Fantasy (04:38) 10 Kalimba Story (04:01) 11 Mighty Mighty (03:03) 12 Reasons (04:59) 13 Saturday Nite (04:03) 14 Let’s Groove (05:36) 15 Boogie Wonderland (04:48) 16 After the Love Has Gone (04:27) 17 Getaway (03:55) |
| Greatest Hits : Allmusic album Review : Columbias 1998 collection of Earth, Wind & Fires Greatest Hits in many ways stands as the groups definitive compilation. Even though there have been more extensive overviews of the groups work, such as the triple-disc set The Eternal Dance, this is the first collection to contain all of the groups biggest hits on one disc. All but one ("Love Music") of the ten songs from 1978s The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire are included, while six of the ten songs from The Best Of, Vol. 2 are featured; the remaining two cuts on the 17-track collection are the minor early single "Kalimba Story" and the album cut "Gratitude." These are fine additions to the album, but the true meat of the collection lies in the hits -- "Shining Star," "Thats the Way of the World," "Sing a Song," "Getaway," "Got to Get You Into My Life," "September," "Boogie Wonderland," "After the Love Has Gone," "Lets Groove," and so many others. They might not be presented in chronological order (the only flaw in this otherwise flawless collection), but its a sheer delight to have all of the hits on one terrifically entertaining and valuable disc. | ||
 | Album: 36 of 39 Title: The Promise Released: 2003-05-20 Tracks: 19 Duration: 1:05:31 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 All in the Way (04:28) 2 Betcha (03:42) 3 Wiggle (00:39) 4 Why? (04:03) 5 Wonderland (04:04) 6 Where Do We Go From Here? (05:21) 7 Freedom (00:41) 8 Hold Me (04:36) 9 Never (05:08) 10 Prelude (00:39) 11 All About Love (04:24) 12 Soul (03:47) 13 Suppose You Like Me (04:37) 14 The Promise (00:27) 15 She Waits (05:09) 16 The Promise (Continued) (00:51) 17 Let Me Love You (04:17) 18 So Lucky (04:44) 19 Dirty (03:46) |
| The Promise : Allmusic album Review : A certain reverence needs to be paid toward a group that can manage to still produce interesting, soulful music well into a third decade. Earth, Wind & Fire has endured practically everything a music group can experience and still remain true to the very essence of what made it popular. However, those expecting a knockout traditional Earth, Wind & Fire record will be slightly disappointed with The Promise. Though the magic of Philip Bailey and Maurice Whites instantly recognizable vocals is still potent, there are a few things that Earth, Wind & Fire fanatics will immediately notice are different. The use of drum machines as opposed to a live drummer on the majority of the record takes some of the energy and magic out of the delivery, especially when revisiting classic moments of the groups career. Unnecessary interludes also serve more as distractions than interesting segues, and take away what little cohesiveness The Promise holds. Individually, the songs are still well-produced and hold up on their own -- and all would be considered suitable for a smooth jazz/adult R&B; setting. Overall, The Promise still retains many of the qualities that endeared fans to Earth, Wind & Fire so many years ago -- its extremely soulful and soothing, and the loyalists will eat this release up (especially with the renditions of older songs). | ||
 | Album: 37 of 39 Title: Illumination Released: 2005-09-19 Tracks: 13 Duration: 1:00:03 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Lovely People (04:29) 2 Pure Gold (04:40) 3 A Talking Voice (interlude) (00:19) 4 Loves Dance (04:28) 5 Show Me the Way (07:47) 6 This Is How I Feel (04:21) 7 Work It Out (04:29) 8 Pass You By (04:59) 9 The One (05:11) 10 Elevated (04:37) 11 Liberation (05:25) 12 To You (04:37) 13 The Way You Move (04:36) |
| Illumination : Allmusic album Review : Following 2003s The Promise, Earth, Wind & Fire went back to the studio and refined and updated their approach to music with a more contemporary neo-soul sound on Illumination, and the gamble paid off plentifully, as its one of the groups freshest and most fully realized album since the glory years of the 70s, when the group was releasing one timeless single after another. What makes Illumination work so well is their approach to staying contemporary without looking ridiculous in the process. The production from start to finish is polished and ready for prime time urban radio airplay, while still maintaining a sensibility of the old-school sound that made it work in the first place. Guest appearances are the norm, rather than the exception, with nonstop cameos from a wide range of artists, from OutKast and the Black Eyed Peas will.i.am all the way to soft rock horn tooter Kenny G. But the crown jewel of the album is unquestionably the eight-minute jam "Show Me the Way," with Raphael Saadiq handling lead vocals in a way that should make Maurice White blush with pride, confident in the knowledge his influence is very much alive and well in the next generation of soul musicians. The albums final pieces are puzzling, as Brian McKnights eloquent appearance on the ballad "To You" is roughly knocked out of place as the fitting closer by a smooth jazz cover of OutKasts "The Way You Move," an ill-fitting move for an otherwise outstanding record. Sequencing error aside, Illumination is the musical defibrillator other aging soul musicians should grab a hold of and take note. | ||
 | Album: 38 of 39 Title: Now, Then & Forever Released: 2013-09-10 Tracks: 12 Duration: 53:31 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Sign On (04:17) 2 Love Is Law (04:20) 3 My Promise (03:22) 4 Guiding Lights (06:24) 5 Got To Be Love (03:41) 6 Belo Horizonte (01:51) 7 Dance Floor (04:59) 8 Splashes (05:22) 9 Night Of My Life (04:00) 10 The Rush (05:07) 11 Cant Hide Love (Masters album mix) (06:24) 12 Shining Star (DJ Jin Asakusa samba remix) (03:44) |
| Now, Then & Forever : Allmusic album Review : Down to a core trio of Philip Bailey, Verdine White, and Ralph Johnson, EWF made their first album since 2005s Illumination with a little help from Larry Dunn and guidance from Maurice White. The Whites, Bailey, and Dunn, along with Al McKay, were inducted into the Songwriting Hall of Fame in 2010, yet Bailey co-wrote only two songs here, while Dunn contributed to one. In addition to Johnsons two co-compositions, a long list of writers was involved, with Baileys son Philip Doron Bailey given the heaviest load beside the likes of Siedah Garrett and Lee "Son of Leroy" Hutson, Jr. A couple elements of certain songs excepted -- the rigid beat of "Dance Floor," the hard rhythmic drive of "Night of My Life" -- the Earth, Wind & Fire of Open Our Eyes through Faces seems to have been in the mind of each of the involved. The songs are generally enjoyable and recall that era of the band, filled with an easygoing and positive spirit with soaring vocal arrangements, Verdines thumping bass, and those beaming horns. "My Promise" and "Guiding Light" especially rise high enough to be slotted between classics without losing listener interest. Now, Then & Forever demonstrates the lasting value of the bands classic sound. Its two-disc deluxe edition adds a seven-track selection of favorites picked by the likes of Raphael Saadiq, Lenny Kravitz, and Pharrell. Only Clive Davis ("Power") digs deep. | ||
 | Album: 39 of 39 Title: Holiday Released: 2014-10-21 Tracks: 13 Duration: 47:31 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Joy to the World (04:13) 2 Happy Seasons (03:58) 3 O Come All Ye Faithful (06:07) 4 Winter Wonderland (03:41) 5 What Child Is This? (03:34) 6 Away in a Manger (02:55) 7 The Little Drummer Boy (02:51) 8 Everyday Is Like Christmas (03:27) 9 The First Noel (04:27) 10 Sleigh Ride (02:57) 11 Snow (02:31) 12 Jingle Bell Rock (03:10) 13 December (03:40) |