"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.