Earth, Wind & Fire, DeepDiscount.com in R&B, Hip Hop & Rap Music

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"The Need of Love" (03/11/1997) R&B Earth, Wind & Fire, Ol' SkoolEarth, Wind & Fire: Wade Flemons, Sherry Scott (vocals); Don Whitehead (vocals, acoustic & electric pianos); Maurice White (vocals, kalimba, drums, percussion); Michael Beal (guitar, harmonica); Chet Washington (tenor saxophone); Alex Thomas (trombone); Verdine A. White (bass); Yackov Ben Israel (conga, percussion). Additional personnel: Oscar Brashear (trumpet). Producer: Joe Wissert. Reissue producer: Kevin Tong. Digital remastering by Lee Herschberg. Personnel: Don Whitehead (vocals, piano); Maurice White (vocals, drums, kalimba, percussion); Sherry Scott, Wade Flemons (vocals); Michael Beal (guitar, harmonica); Chet Washington (tenor saxophone); Oscar Brashear (trumpet); Alexander Thomas (trombone); Yackov Ben Israel (congas, percussion). Audio Remasterers: Al Schmitt; Lee Herschberg. Recording information: Sunset Sound Recording Studio, Hollywood, CA. Photographer: Roland Charles. Unknown Contributor Role: Don Whitehead. Arranger: Earth, Wind & Fire. 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 Hathaway's gloriously funky "Everything Is Everything," does justice to the original (and that's saying a lot). Compared to the debut, The Need of Love lacked a sense of exuberance as well as a passel of solid songs and performances. ~ John Bush

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"Rio After Dark" (05/24/2005) R&B Earth, Wind & Fire, SnapperEarth, Wind & Fire: Maurice White (vocals, kalimba, percussion); Philip Bailey (vocals, percussion); Al McKay (guitar, background vocals); Johnny Graham (guitar); Andrew Wolfolk (saxophone); Larry Dunn (keyboards); Verdine White (bass); Fred White (drums); Carla Vaughn, Sylvia Cox, Judy Jones (background vocals). The Phoenix Horns: Don Myrick (saxophone); Michael Harris, Rahmlee Michael Davis (trumpet, Flugel horn); Louis Satterfield (trombone). Recorded live in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Personnel: Maurice White (vocals, kalimba, percussion, background vocals); Philip Bailey (vocals, percussion, background vocals); Al McKay (guitar, background vocals); Johnny Graham (guitar); Don Myrick (saxophone); Michael A. Harris (trumpet, flugelhorn); Louis Satterfield (trombone); Ralph Boyd Johnson (percussion, background vocals); Carla Vaughn, Judy Jones, Sylvia Cox (background vocals). Audio Mixer: Paul Klingberg. Liner Note Author: Maurice White. Recording information: Rio De Janiero (1980). Photographer: Jeffrey Mayer. This set on Snapper dates from 1980 when Earth, Wind & Fire played Rio. The music here comes from all of the different periods in the band's career, rearranged for the glossy post-disco soul and funk of that new decade. This said, there are some sparkling moments here; and being a semi-official recording, the sound quality is top-notch. It doesn't have the edges trimmed off so the energy in tracks like "Got to Get You into My Life," "Serpentine Fire," "Magic Mind," and "Boogie Wonderland" is crackling and honest. ~ Thom Jurek In the early '00s, Earth, Wind & Fire's hardcore followers were given a few more reasons to smile when various labels put out some previously unreleased live recordings from the soul/funk innovators' '70s/early-'80s heyday. One was Legacy/Columbia's That's the Way of the World: Alive in '75; another was Live in Rio, which came out on EWF's own Kalimba label in late 2002 and focuses on a 1980 appearance in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In terms of packaging, Live in Rio isn't as strong as the Legacy disc. There are no liner notes (other than a short blurb by Maurice White), and no recording date is given. One has to visit EWF's website to ascertain that Live in Rio is a 1980 recording, although a serious EWF enthusiast could guess that it was recorded around 1979 or 1980 because of the selections and the lineup; most of the musicians heard on this 55-minute CD have long since left the band. But if Live in Rio's packaging leaves something to be desired, the performances are nothing to complain about. In 1980, EWF was very much on top of their game, and die-hard fans will be thrilled to hear live versions of hits like "Fantasy," "Boogie Wonderland," "Getaway," "September," and "Serpentine Fire." Observant listeners will notice that this CD sticks to EWF's post-Gratitude output -- that is, songs they recorded after their live album Gratitude, which came out in 1975. You won't hear "Shining Star," "Devotion," "That's the Way of the World," or "Reasons" on Live in Rio, although EWF probably performed some or all of those hits at this concert -- arguably, Kalimba Records should have offered the Rio set in its entirety and simply made Live in Rio a two-CD set. Nonetheless, the arrival of Live in Rio is still something to celebrate. The vast majority of EWF fans will agree that Gratitude remains the band's most essential live album, but Live in Rio is still a valuable -- if imperfect -- addition to their catalog. ~ Alex Henderson This set on Snapper dates from 1980 when Earth, Wind & Fire played Rio. The music here comes from all of the different periods in the band's career, rearranged for the glossy post-disco soul and funk of that new decade. This said, there are some sparkling moments here; and being a semi-official recording, the sound quality is top-notch. It doesn't have the edges trimmed off so the energy in tracks like "Got to Get You into My Life," "Serpentine Fire," "Magic Mind," and "Boogie Wonderland" is crackling and honest. ~ Thom Jurek

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"Illumination" (09/20/2005) R&B Earth, Wind & Fire, Sanctuary (USA)Earth, Wind & Fire: Verdine White (bass instrument, kalimba); Maurice White (percussion); Philip Bailey, Keith Harris. Personnel: Raphael Saadiq (vocals, guitar, piano, percussion, background vocals); Maurice White (vocals, guitar, keyboards, kalimba, background vocals); Sleepy Brown (vocals, piano, background vocals); Philip Bailey (vocals, bongos, percussion, background vocals); Brian McKnight (vocals, background vocals); Natalie Stewart, Kelly Rowland (vocals); Bobby Ross Avila (guitar, Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards); Shorty B., Greg Moore (guitar); South Central Chamber Orchestra (strings); Gary Bias (saxophone); Gary Grant, Jerry Hey, Nolan Shaheed, Matt Cappy, Bobby Rodriguez (trumpet); Reggie C. Young , Jeff Bradshaw (trombone); Jimmy Jam (Fender Rhodes piano); Vikter Duplaix (keyboards, bass synthesizer, drum programming); Keith Harris (keyboards, drums); Dave Robbins , Junius Bervine, Myron McKinley, Kelvin Wooten (keyboards); Robert Ozuna (drums, percussion); Prescott Ellison, Khari Parker (drums); Nealhpogue, Ralph Boyd Johnson (percussion); Organized Noize (programming, drum programming); Marsha Ambrosius, Doc Holiday, Chimere Scott, Prof. T. (background vocals); will.i.am (vocals, programming, background vocals). Audio Mixers: Matt Marrin; Nealhpogue; Dave Pensado; Serban Ghenea. Recording information: Blakeslee Recording co., North Hollywood, CA; Dungeon, Dungeon East Recording Studios, Atlanta, GA; Fire House Studios, Pasadena, CA; Flyte Tyme West At The Village Recorders, Los Angeles,; Glenwood Place Recording Studio, Burbank, CA; KeffenDeez Place; Larrabee North Recording Studio, Los Angeles, CA; Luminous Sound, Dallas, TX; Magnet Vision Studio, Santa Monica, CA. Arrangers: Jerry Hey; Walter Afanasieff. With the Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney releasing fresh and vital albums in 2005, it comes as no surprise that Earth, Wind & Fire are still going strong as well. But rather than simply hearkening back to their classic formula, EWF update their sound to keep pace with contemporary R&B and hip-hop, opting for a sharp, polished production that fits right in on urban radio, while still staying true to the pan-global grooves and complex, technically advanced playing on which the group built its reputation. A host of guest stars--nearly all of whom are from an up-and-coming generation of soul--appear here. Black Eyed Peas' Will. I. Am. co-writes and performs on the opener "Lovely People," while Outkast's Big Boi steps up to the mic on "This Is How I Feel." The sensual crooner Brian McKnight lends his pipes to the ballad "To You," and even Kenny G. puts in an appearance on a saxophone-based instrumental. Beneath all this is the classic EWF vibe, and the band's ability to effectively "modernize" themselves is admirable and worth a close listen.

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"Definitive Collection [Germany] [Remaster]" (06/16/2003) R&B Earth, Wind & Fire, Sony Music Distribution (USA)Earth Wind & Fire includes: Maurice White (vocals, drums, timbales, kalimba); Verdine White (vocals, bass, percussion); Philip Bailey (vocals, congas, percussion); Al McKay (guitar, percussion, background vocals); Johnny Graham (guitar, percussion); Roland Bautista (guitar); Andrew Woolfolk (flute, saxophone, percussion); Larry Dunn (piano, organ, synthesizer, programming); Fred White, Ralph Johnson (drums, percussion). Additional personnel includes: The Emotions, The Phoenix Horns. Producers include: Maurice White, Charles Stepney, Al McKay, Joe Wissert. Compilation producers: Maurice White, Leo Sacks. Engineers include: Robert Appere, Steve Crimmel, Richard Goodman. Recorded between 1973 and 1981. Includes liner notes by Mark Coleman. All tracks have been digitally remastered. This is part of Legacy's "Rhythm & Soul" series. Columbia's 1998 collection of Earth, Wind & Fire's Greatest Hits in many ways stands as the group's definitive compilation. Even though there have been more extensive overviews of the group's work, such as the triple-disc set The Eternal Dance, this is the first collection to contain all of the group's biggest hits on one disc. All but one ("Love Music") of the ten songs from 1978's 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," "That's the Way of the World," "Sing a Song," "Getaway," "Got to Get You Into My Life," "September," "Boogie Wonderland," "After the Love Has Gone," "Let's Groove," and so many others. They might not be presented in chronological order (the only flaw in this otherwise flawless collection), but it's a sheer delight to have all of the hits on one terrifically entertaining and valuable disc. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

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"Essential Earth Wind & Fire (+Remix Disc)" (09/23/2002) R&B Earth, Wind & Fire, Columbia (USA)ESSENTIAL EARTH, WIND & FIRE features some of the best by the funk/soul/R&B behemoth, including "Boogie Wonderland" and "Shining Star." The German issue comes with a bonus disc of remixes.

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"Definitive Collection [Germany]" (11/13/2000) R&B Earth, Wind & Fire, Sony Music Distribution (USA)Earth Wind & Fire includes: Maurice White (vocals, drums, timbales, kalimba); Verdine White (vocals, bass, percussion); Philip Bailey (vocals, congas, percussion); Al McKay (guitar, percussion, background vocals); Johnny Graham (guitar, percussion); Roland Bautista (guitar); Andrew Woolfolk (flute, saxophone, percussion); Larry Dunn (piano, organ, synthesizer, programming); Fred White, Ralph Johnson (drums, percussion). Additional personnel includes: The Emotions, The Phoenix Horns. Producers include: Maurice White, Charles Stepney, Al McKay, Joe Wissert. Compilation producers: Maurice White, Leo Sacks. Engineers include: Robert Appere, Steve Crimmel, Richard Goodman. Recorded between 1973 and 1981. Includes liner notes by Mark Coleman. All tracks have been digitally remastered. This is part of Legacy's "Rhythm & Soul" series. Columbia's 1998 collection of Earth, Wind & Fire's Greatest Hits in many ways stands as the group's definitive compilation. Even though there have been more extensive overviews of the group's work, such as the triple-disc set The Eternal Dance, this is the first collection to contain all of the group's biggest hits on one disc. All but one ("Love Music") of the ten songs from 1978's 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," "That's the Way of the World," "Sing a Song," "Getaway," "Got to Get You Into My Life," "September," "Boogie Wonderland," "After the Love Has Gone," "Let's Groove," and so many others. They might not be presented in chronological order (the only flaw in this otherwise flawless collection), but it's a sheer delight to have all of the hits on one terrifically entertaining and valuable disc. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

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"Dutch Collection" (08/30/1999) R&B Earth, Wind & Fire, Sony Music Distribution (USA)This collection of 37 songs recorded by popular U.S. funk/soul band Earth, Wind & Fire includes such hits as "Boogie Wonderland" and "Star."

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"In the Name of Love" (07/24/2003) R&B Earth, Wind & Fire, Cutting Edge (Japan)Earth, Wind & Fire: Sheldon M. Reynolds (vocals, guitar); Maurice White, Philip Bailey (vocals); Morris Pleasure (voice box, keyboards); Verdine White (bass); Sonny Emory (drums, programming, background vocals); Ralph Johnson (background vocals). The Earth, Wind & Fire Horns: Scott Mayo (saxophone); Ray Brown (trumpet); Reggie Young (trombone). Additional personnel includes: Sir James Bailey (rap vocals); Bill Meyers (strings, keyboards, synthesizer, programming); Jerry Hey, Gary Grant (trumpet, flugelhorn); Michael "Patches" Stewart (trumpet); William Frank Reichenbach (trombone); Andrew Klippel (keyboards, programming); Lenny Castro, Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); Carl Carlwell (background vocals). Recorded at Sony Studios, Santa Monica, California and1 Sunset Sound, Hollywood, California. The 1997 version of EWF launches its album with a jarring, unexpected drum thwack in the first bar of the first song, suggesting that the dynamics of modern hip-hop and even modern rock have not passed by this funk institution. The band quickly drops back into its tried-and-true love-song formation, though, giving most of the album over to creamy-voiced Philip Bailey who urges other men to keep their love in their lives, and tries to convince a woman that he's the true love in hers. There are occasional new-school funk beats, and old-school blasts aplenty from the EWF horns, but the album belongs to Bailey. His showcase ballad "Cruising," which if you close your eyes can evoke memories of the great "Reasons," should finally erase all memories of Phil Collins from EWF fans' minds.

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"Greatest Hits" (02/09/2004) R&B Earth, Wind & Fire, Delta Music Ltd. (Germany)Earth Wind & Fire includes: Maurice White (vocals, drums, timbales, kalimba); Verdine White (vocals, bass, percussion); Philip Bailey (vocals, congas, percussion); Al McKay (guitar, percussion, background vocals); Johnny Graham (guitar, percussion); Roland Bautista (guitar); Andrew Woolfolk (flute, saxophone, percussion); Larry Dunn (piano, organ, synthesizer, programming); Fred White, Ralph Johnson (drums, percussion). Additional personnel includes: The Emotions, The Phoenix Horns. Producers include: Maurice White, Charles Stepney, Al McKay, Joe Wissert. Compilation producers: Maurice White, Leo Sacks. Engineers include: Robert Appere, Steve Crimmel, Richard Goodman. Recorded between 1973 and 1981. Includes liner notes by Mark Coleman. All tracks have been digitally remastered. This is part of Legacy's "Rhythm & Soul" series. Columbia's 1998 collection of Earth, Wind & Fire's Greatest Hits in many ways stands as the group's definitive compilation. Even though there have been more extensive overviews of the group's work, such as the triple-disc set The Eternal Dance, this is the first collection to contain all of the group's biggest hits on one disc. All but one ("Love Music") of the ten songs from 1978's 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," "That's the Way of the World," "Sing a Song," "Getaway," "Got to Get You Into My Life," "September," "Boogie Wonderland," "After the Love Has Gone," "Let's Groove," and so many others. They might not be presented in chronological order (the only flaw in this otherwise flawless collection), but it's a sheer delight to have all of the hits on one terrifically entertaining and valuable disc. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

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"Great Earth, Wind & Fire" (11/03/2003) R&B Earth, Wind & Fire, Red XThis excellent Earth, Wind & Fire set comprises three discs, and covers most of the funk/R&B collective's best songs, including "September," "Let's Groove," adn "Shining Star." A horribly packaged three-disc cheapo set (featuring a rather unflattering performance shot of Maurice White on the cover) from an Australian label that calls itself Rajon, Great Earth, Wind & Fire is far too extensive for beginners and not complete enough for those who want everything the group released. Due to its wealth of space, it naturally gobbles up a number of career highlights, including "September," "Fantasy," "Let's Groove," "Boogie Wonderland," "Shining Star," "Reasons," "That's the Way of the World," and "Mighty Mighty." For a better introduction, stick with Columbia/Legacy's Essential Earth, Wind & Fire. Released in 2002, it's a two-disc set that's more discerning and manageable. Almost as importantly, its presentation wallops all over this ugly thing. ~ Andy Kellman

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"Rare Groove EW&F" (03/29/2004) R&B Earth, Wind & Fire, Sony Music Distribution (USA)

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"The Collection [Sony/Columbia]" (12/30/2003) R&B Earth, Wind & Fire, Sony Music Distribution (USA)Earth Wind & Fire includes: Maurice White (vocals, drums, timbales, kalimba); Verdine White (vocals, bass, percussion); Philip Bailey (vocals, congas, percussion); Al McKay (guitar, percussion, background vocals); Johnny Graham (guitar, percussion); Roland Bautista (guitar); Andrew Woolfolk (flute, saxophone, percussion); Larry Dunn (piano, organ, synthesizer, programming); Fred White, Ralph Johnson (drums, percussion). Additional personnel includes: The Emotions, The Phoenix Horns. Producers include: Maurice White, Charles Stepney, Al McKay, Joe Wissert. Compilation producers: Maurice White, Leo Sacks. Engineers include: Robert Appere, Steve Crimmel, Richard Goodman. Recorded between 1973 and 1981. Includes liner notes by Mark Coleman. All tracks have been digitally remastered. This is part of Legacy's "Rhythm & Soul" series. Columbia's 1998 collection of Earth, Wind & Fire's Greatest Hits in many ways stands as the group's definitive compilation. Even though there have been more extensive overviews of the group's work, such as the triple-disc set The Eternal Dance, this is the first collection to contain all of the group's biggest hits on one disc. All but one ("Love Music") of the ten songs from 1978's 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," "That's the Way of the World," "Sing a Song," "Getaway," "Got to Get You Into My Life," "September," "Boogie Wonderland," "After the Love Has Gone," "Let's Groove," and so many others. They might not be presented in chronological order (the only flaw in this otherwise flawless collection), but it's a sheer delight to have all of the hits on one terrifically entertaining and valuable disc. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

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$10
 

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"The Essential Earth, Wind & Fire" (09/09/2002) R&B Earth, Wind & Fire, Columbia (USA)Earth, Wind & Fire: Maurice White (vocals, kalimba, timbales, drums); Verdine White (vocals, bass, percussion); Philip Bailey (vocals, congas, percussion); Larry Dunn (piano, organ, synthesizer, programming). Additional personnel includes: Ken Yerke, Harris Goldman (violin); Rollice Dale (viola); Dennis Karmazyn Harry Schultz (cello); Fred Jackson Jr., Herman Riley, Jerome Richardson (saxophone); Tommy Johnson (tuba); Harvey Mason, Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); Beloyd Taylor (background vocals). Producers: Maurice White, Joe Wissert, Charles Stepney, Al McKay. Compilation producers: Leo Sacks, Maurice White. Recorded between 1973 & 1983. Includes liner notes by Leo Sacks, Virginia Prescott, and William C, Rhoden. All tracks have been digitally remastered. "These songs are as close as we came to perfection," says group founder and leader Maurice White in the liner notes to THE ESSENTIAL EARTH, WIND & FIRE. Given the quality of the music in this double-disc package, it's hard to argue. Remarkable for both its commercial success and its inventive hybrid of funk, soul, jazz, and African folk music (White's kalimba is featured as a solo instrument on "Evil," for example), Earth, Wind & Fire are deservedly regarded as one of the finest ensembles of the 1970s. A thorough retrospective of the band's evolution and multiple stylistic directions (often achieved within one song), ESSENTIAL spans from the early, earthy funk of "Mighty Mighty" to the disco-flavored "Boogie Wonderland" (with the Emotions). In between are all of the group's smash hits--the infectious "Shining Star," the feel-good "Sing a Song," their jazzy interpretation of Lennon/McCartney's "Got to Get You Into My Life," and the early '80s dance-floor favorite "Let's Groove," to name a few. Throughout, complex horn parts, rich vocal harmonies, and the formidable chops of the band's instrumentalists dazzle on ballads, heady improvisations, and funk workouts alike. This is the definitive compilation of one soul's mightiest groups.

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