Earth, Wind & Fire - Raise! (1981)

Ask yourself: "Should I listen to more Earth, Wind & Fire?" Inevitably, the answer is yes. I mean, who doesn't want to hear somebody telling you that 'you are a winner' every morning?

Earth, Wind & Fire followed up the wonderful I Am album with the watered-down Faces double LP in 1980, but made a strong comeback with this release. Raise! is an album that throws potent groove after groove at the listener. Heck, the big hit from the album is not only titled Let's Groove, it only offers a single two-measure bass line groove that's so freakin' fantastic it's used under the verse and the chorus, only letting up for the middle 8. The whole album is full of typical EWF horns percussion, syncopation, and falsetto plus a gaggle of guest players/writers including Brenda Russell, David Foster, and Jerry Hey. And if you can keep still while listening to this album, I don't think we should see each other anymore.

I initially wanted to accuse the album of being too brief, but it clocks in at 39 minutes - a respectable run time for albums of the time. So I guess what I should say is that this thing leaves me wanting more.

Press of the time:

• Musician: "E,W&F's eclecticism and optimism are still refreshing"
• Rolling Stone (★★★½): "reflects the current wave of street-gritty black pop"
• Smash Hits (7 out of 10): "the vocals float and flare, the horns urge you onto the dance-floor and the rhythm makes you stay there."
• Stereo Review: "formula-ridden and terribly repetitious"
• Robert Christgau (B+): "As long as they hew to a few simple rules--up on the tempos, down on the bullshit, etc.--there's no reason why these fellows can't turn their sparkling harmonies and powerful groove into a pure, contentless celebration of virtuosity."
• Record Mirror (★★★★): "a most satisfying return to form"

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard Top 200: #5
• Billboard R&B: #1
• CashBox: #5
• Rolling Stone: #6

Tracks: Track 1, the aforementioned Let's Groove (#3 pop, #1 R&B, #3 dance) was nominated for The Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1982, losing to The Dude. But never fear! Track 8, Wanna Be With You (#51 pop, #15 R&B), would win that same award the following year. Now that's some staying power (or good timing). I have no idea what the song Evolution Orange means, but I'm guessing it means "this song has the best horn parts and best chorus hook on the album." Ballads need not apply, but things do slow down a bit with My Love and Wanna Be With You, which have a more relaxed groove than the other tracks.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD (lifted directly from a previous post): You damn right we played an arrangement of Let's Groove in my high school marching band (mainly a percussion/tuba feature rather than full band, but let's not nitpick). Thanks to the wonders of technology, here's a screen capture of a grainy VHS recording of a performance of that tune from the fall of 1982. Other songs included in the same halftime show were Satin Doll, Theme from Hill Street Blues, On Broadway, and, as always, ending with the school's fight song (a.k.a. Notre Dame Victory March).

Previously revisited for the blog:
Illumination (2005)
The Eternal Dance (1992)
I Am (1979)
The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 (1978)
All 'N All (1977)
Gratitude (1975)

Earth, Wind & Fire - Gratitude (1975)

Note: Originally released as a 2 LP set with 3 live sides and a studio side, this CD is the 1999 reissue containing 1 bonus track.

Ask yourself: "Should I listen to more Earth, Wind & Fire?" Inevitably, the answer is yes.

The rare live album that actually adds to a band's legacy instead of simply being a stopgap release or contract obligation to the label. The band cooks as Philip Bailey and Maurice White quickly whip the crowd into a frenzy and keep up the intensity for the entire set. Even the fervent ballads have you on the edge of your seat. I'm spent just listening to it. It is obvious in these recordings that these musicians love performing and they love these songs. The live tracks here are much better than those included in the Eternal Dance box set. And the studio tracks ain't nothing to sneeze at.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #1 (3 weeks)
• Billboard R&B: #1 (1 week)
• CashBox: #1 (1 week)

Tracks: Yearnin' Learnin' may be the best song on the disc, but a Don Myrick sax solo on Reasons certainly gives it a run for its money. Also good are Shining Star and the studio singles Sing A Song and Can't Hide Love. Don't skip anything here. The bonus track is a 6 minute, 4 song medley taken from preparations for a 1978 Natalie Cole TV variety special, but didn't make the final cut. Instead, the show producers opted for a longer lip-synching, costume-changing spectacle that included Cole taking a turn on That's The Way Of The World. View that performance here. The recording on this CD is clean and enjoyable, but pales next to the rest of the disc. It's hard to believe they actually allowed a solid 8 minute, 5 song medley on TV back then. These days, the variety show is a thing of the past and for promotional musical performances on TV talk shows, its two minutes and out. Shame.

For more information on the brief life of the CD longbox,
go visit The Legend of the Longbox.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: Over a year ago, my youngest son (a huge EWF fan) spotted this CD and 1977's All 'N All in the bargain bin at our local Hasting's for $3 each. How could I resist?

Previously revisited for the blog:
Illumination (2005)
The Eternal Dance (1992)
I Am (1979)
The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 (1978)
All 'N All (1977)

The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 (1978)

Even though this disc has been supplanted in my collection by The Eternal Dance box set, I can't get rid of it. This disc is particularly notable for the inclusion of the cover of the Beatles' Got To Get You Into My Life (one of the greatest covers of all time) and the wonderful September (one of the greatest songs of the '70s and my favorite song by EWF). Great stuff here. So even though I have all these songs on other CDs, I won't offer you my copy of this compilation.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #6 (Jan 27, 1979)
• Billboard R&B: #3
• CashBox: #6
• Rolling Stone: #4

Tracks: Rated A for awesome. Check it:

	Song	Hot 100	R&B
1	Got To Get You Into My Life	9	1
2	Fantasy	32	12
3	Can't Hide Love	39	11
4	Love Music
5	Getaway	12	1
6	That's The Way Of The World	12	5
7	September	8	1
8	Shining Star	1	1
9	Reasons
10	Singasong	5	1

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: September always reminds me of playing on the school basketball team in 7th grade. I will probably listen to September at least three more times this morning before putting this CD away.

Exclusive CD longbox photo courtesy of
Dirk Digglinator of the Hambonian Archives.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Illumination (2005)
The Eternal Dance (1992)
I Am (1979)
All 'N All (1977)

Earth, Wind & Fire - All 'N All (1977)

Note: this CD is the 1999 reissue containing 3 bonus tracks.

from the CD back cover

I wish I had this LP when I was in high school. I had I Am and loved it, so I should have gone into the group's back catalog. Ah, well. Lovin' it now, though. Solid from start to finish. The band was really in their prime on this, their 8th studio LP. Influential? You bet - songs from this album have been sampled by Grandmaster Flash, The Fugees, Blackstreet, and A Tribe Called Quest. In 2008, Tom Moon placed this album on his list of 1,000 Recordings To Hear Before You Die. Check.

Press of the time:

• Rolling Stone: "It's easy to be seduced by the artfulness and grace of Earth, Wind and Fire's music and accept it for its craftsmanship and listenability."
• Record Mirror (++++): "It's an EWF album and I like it. Unashamedly."
• Record World: "has already shipped platinum"
• Billboard: "one of [Earth, Wind & Fire's] most appealing efforts."
• Stereo Review: "The music is delightfully earthy in its appeal, an aural collage of rich vocal and instrumental textures underscored by highly danceable rhythms that never surrender to triteness."
• Robert Christgau (B+): "Focusing soulful horns, high-tension harmonies, and rhythms and textures from many lands onto a first side that cooks throughout."

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #3
• Billboard R&B: #1
• CashBox: #3

Tracks: I love the hits Serpentine Fire and Fantasy, but there are so many other great tunes, including Jupiter and Love's Holiday. Philip Bailey really shines on I'll Write A Song For You. In typical EWF fashion, even the filler on this album is awesome - funky and soulful. Just check out the horn outro on Magic Mind. Don't skip any of this good stuff.

Bonus tracks: A demo track, an alternate mix, and a live version. Interesting to listen to once or twice, but they don't really add too much to the CD.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: A few months ago, my youngest son (a huge EWF fan) spotted this CD and 1975's Gratitude in the bargain bin at our local Hasting's for $3 each. How could I resist?

I love the EWF album art from that era. Pyramids and spaceships.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Illumination (2005)
The Eternal Dance (1992)
I Am (1979)

Earth, Wind & Fire - The Eternal Dance (1992)

From the back CD insert:

Powerful, passioonate, uplifting, and inspiring, the music of Earth, Wind & Fire remains unequalled in its influence: Testimony of the supergroup's impact can be found on the three discs that comprise this outstanding retrospective

A 3 CD "dump the vaults" compilation box set. In addition to all the band's hits, also included are previously unreleased tracks, live cuts, b-sides, and demos. Arranged chronologically, it is interesting to hear the progression from a soul group to a top-notch funk/R&B band to, unfortunately, a synth/drum machine studio project. Not for the casual fan, but essential for people such as myself. 55 tracks over nearly 4 hours. Big booklet included with lots of good photos and some essays about EWF, but not enough info about the tracks.

Tracks:
Disc I (1971-1975) 18 tracks
Highlights: Mighty Mighty, Reasons, and That's The Way Of The World. We also get two versions of Shining Star. While the "previously unreleased alternate version" is worth a listen because the horn parts are better, it is obvious that the band ultimately released the right version.

Disc II (1975-1977) 18 tracks
This disc begins with 4 live tracks that I could do without, but then things get much better. Highlights: Can't Hide Love, Sing A Song, Getaway, Fantasy, Serpentine Fire, and Beijo. The disc ends with what could possibly be the greatest cover of all time: Got To Get You Into My Life. The EWF version is every bit as good as The Beatles' original. I'll forgive the fact that the reason for its existence is that awful 1978 Sgt Pepper movie; the band took a Beatles song and made it a EWF song - that's a great cover.

Disc III (1978-1989) 19 tracks
Highlights: September, the tracks from I Am, And Love Goes On, and Let Me Talk. Also included is an untitled demo (track 9) that is good enough as it is, but I would have loved to have heard a full-blown version of it. Most of the post 1983 material doesn't flip my ship.

My top 5 EWF songs:

1. September
2. Got To Get You Into My Life
3. Shining Star
4. Fantasy
5. After The Love Is Gone

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: A fan of the group in the late '70s and early '80s, I thought set would be a good way to introduce myself to the band's early and later periods. I think I got this box set on the cheap (less than $10) from eBay around ten years ago. I suggest you do the same.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Illumination (2005)
I Am (1979)

Earth, Wind & Fire - I Am (1979)

Note: this release was originally purchased as an LP, later replaced by a CD.

Even though it doesn't contain my favorite EWF song (September), this remains my all-time favorite EWF album. David Foster is given a few writing credits and, while he doesn't get a producer credit here, his hand is all over this album. This soul/funk is highly polished and smooth. Sadly, this release marked the beginning of the end - the band would never again record an album this good. Regular readers of this blog know that I'm not a huge fan of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but they got it right when they inducted this group in 2000. When I say that I listen to this CD quite often, I'm not exaggerating. It's almost always within reach.

Press of the time:

• Billboard: "they are the classiest exponents of pop-oriented r&b and funk"
• CashBox: "the group reaches new heights"
• Record World: "superb, sophisticated"
• Rolling Stone: "formula music"
• Stereo Review: Recording of Special Merit

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard Top 200: #3
• Billboard R&B: #1
• CashBox: #4
• Rolling Stone: #4

Tracks: I'll listen to all 9 tracks here without skipping. In The Stone is one of the best album openers of all-time and sets the tone for the rest of the album. Also on side one is After The Love Is Gone, one of the best ballads of the '70s. For the most part, EWF had always ignored disco, but when they paired with The Emotions for Boogie Wonderland, they scored a top ten hit. However, that song is the only disco song here; the rest is the typical EWF blend of R&B, funk, and pop. Other top tracks include Let Your Feelings Show, Star, and Rock That!

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: Good memories of junior high. I think I originally got this album as part of a Columbia House 12 albums for 1¢ promotion. While everybody knows that deal is ultimately a rip-off, it can't be too bad if Earth, Wind & Fire music shows up in your mailbox.

If you have a friend that is familiar with this album, ask him/her to sing the introduction to In The Stone then sit back and listen to what comes out. Hilarious. (We musicians are easily amused, apparently.)

Previously revisited for the blog:
Illumination (2005)

Earth, Wind & Fire - Illumination (2005)

"OLD DOGS, NEW TRICKS" WEEK (MAY 1-7, 2011)

EW&F is one of my all-time fav groups, particularly their output in the late '70s. My teenage son loves them, too (that's a sign of good parenting). Here, they've tried to update their sound and have a lot of guests, but every now and then you can hear the old sound coming through. The classic Phenix Horn section isn't here, but they've been replaced by Jerry Hey and other session musicians, so it's not too different. Also joining the band on this disc are will.i.am, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Raphael Saadiq, Big Boi, Kelly Rowland, Sleepy Brown, Floetry, Brian McKnight, and Kenny G (really?). It looks like EW&F was trying to create their own version of Santana's Supernatural. While Philip Bailey is in fine voice, what's missing the most is the songwriting of Maurice White (sadly, White is battling Parkinson's disease). Still, it is a welcome album from a group that can update its sound without embarrassing itself: neo-soul over hip-hop beats with just a touch of horns. It's not the EW&F CD I would hope for, but it'll do. I must have purchased this CD at Target, because, in addition a bonus track, it has 2 more "Target Exclusive Bonus Tracks".

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: #32

Tracks: Songs like Pure Gold, Love's Dance, Liberation, and To You sound like classic EW&F. Other good songs include Show Me The Way, Work It Out, and Pass You By. I want to skip This Is How I Feel and Elevated. Also, The One is so repetitive you've heard the whole song within the first 10 seconds, but the song goes on for another 5 minutes.

Bonus tracks: Kenny G and EW&F cover Outkast's The Way You Move. That doesn't even look good on paper. This is the only Kenny G in my collection for good reason. The second bonus track, Love Together, is a strong track, but too repetitive (these guys must have forgotten how to write a bridge). Let Me Love You featuring Floetry is forgettable and not the best way to end a disc.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: This disc is reminding me of youth soccer games at the fields beside Linnie Roberts Elementary School.