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"Spirit [Remaster]" (04/10/2001) R&B Earth, Wind & Fire, Legacy RecordingsAlso available in a 3-pack with THAT'S THE WAY OF THE WORLD and ALL IN ALL. Earth, Wind & Fire: Maurice White, Philip Bailey (vocals, percussion); Al McKay, Johnny Graham (guitar); Andrew Woolfolk (tenor saxophone); Larry Dunn (keybaords); Verdine White (bass); Fred White, Ralph Johnson (percussion). All tracks have been digitally remastered. The follow-up to the band's breakthrough album THAT'S THE WAY OF THE WORLD, 1976's SPIRIT builds on Earth, Wind & Fire's signature blend of funk, jazz, and smooth soul. An ambitious record, SPIRIT successfully captures what Earth, Wind & Fire were all about--the melding of a wide range of musical styles with a positive and self-aware philosophy. Though the band had experienced difficulties when producer and arranger Charles Stepney died halfway through the sessions for SPIRIT, the progressive funk workout "Getaway" (one of the album's highlights) was a runaway R&B hit. High tenor vocalist Philip Bailey is featured on the romantic ballad "Imagination" and on the shimmering title track. "Saturday Nite" brings things back down to street level with its solid funk grooves, while "Biyo," an instrumental with a jazz-like structure, gives the group's musicians plenty of room to stretch out. The gospel-inspired "Burnin' Bush," which showcases the group's renowned vocal leads and harmonies, rounds out this fine release. (Note: The 2001 edition of SPIRIT features five bonus tracks.)

"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

"The Eternal Dance [Box]" (08/18/1998) R&B Earth, Wind & Fire, Legacy RecordingsThis box set contains 55 digitally remastered tracks, including 12 previously unreleased live and studio recordings as well as rare B-sides. In addition, the set comes with a 48-page booklet with rare photos and liner notes by David Nathan and Alan Light. 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. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

"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

"All 'N All [Remaster]" (07/27/1999) R&B Earth, Wind & Fire, Legacy RecordingsAlso available in a 3-pack with THAT'S THE WAY OF THE WORLD and SPIRIT. Earth, Wind & Fire: Maurice White (vocals, kalimba, drums); Verdine White (vocals, bass, percussion); Philip Bailey (vocals, congas, percussion); Al McKay (guitar, percussion); Johnny Graham (guitar); Andrew Woolfolk (flute, soprano & tenor saxophone); Larry Dunn (piano, organ, synthesizer); Ralph Johnson, Fred White (drums, percussion). Producer: Maurice White. Reissue producer: Leo Sacks. Includes liner notes by Ron Wynn. Digitally remastered by Mark Wilder (Sony Music Studios, New York, New York). Master Sound releases are 24-karat gold CDs remastered from first-generation masters. This process utilizes 20-bit technology and Sony's revolutionary "Super Bit Mapping" system. Originally released in 1977, ALL IN ALL shows Earth, Wind & Fire breaking out of their previous funk/R&B mold and incorporating touches of world music to their sound. The result is a landmark album that sounds just as fresh more than 20 years later. A visit to Argentina and Brazil helped Maurice White and the gang inject some new influences into the recording of ALL IN ALL. Opener "Serpentine Fire" is highlighted by Maurice's Latin percussion arrangement. "Fantasy," which features Philip Bailey's soaring vocals, is simply one of the great funk songs of the era. "Jupiter" features a tight, blasting horn section. "I'll Write a Song for You" is a smooth ballad with tender harmonies and strings. The album concludes with a live version of "Brazilian Rhyme," one of three bonus tracks included on this reissue. If you're only familiar with Earth, Wind & Fire's radio hits, pick up ALL IN ALL. The harmonies, grooves and top-notch production will make you a believer. Originally released in 1977, ALL IN ALL shows Earth, Wind & Fire breaking out of their previous funk/R&B mold and incorporating touches of world music to their sound. The result is a landmark album that sounds just as fresh more than 20 years later. A visit to Argentina and Brazil helped Maurice White and the gang inject some new influences into the recording of ALL IN ALL. Opener "Serpentine Fire" is highlighted by Maurice's Latin percussion arrangement. "Fantasy," which features Philip Bailey's soaring vocals, is simply one of the great funk songs of the era. "Jupiter" features a tight, blasting horn section. "I'll Write a Song for You" is a smooth ballad with tender harmonies and strings. The album concludes with a live version of "Brazilian Rhyme," one of three bonus tracks included on this reissue. If you're only familiar with Earth, Wind & Fire's radio hits, pick up ALL IN ALL. The harmonies, grooves and top-notch production will make you a believer.

"Smooth Elements: Smooth Jazz Plays the Songs of Earth, Wind & Fire" (08/19/1997) R&B Various Artists, Shanachie RecordsProducers include: Mark Johnson, Tom Grant, Kim Pensyl. Compilation producer: Danny Weiss. Engineers include: Ken Rich, Paul Wickliffe. Includes liner notes by Randall Grass and Maurice White. Personnel: Tom Grant (vocals, piano, programming); David Pack, Mervyn Warren, Phil Perry, Phillip Ingram, Vesta (vocals); Russ Freeman (guitar, keyboards, percussion); Kevin Turner (guitar, electric bass); David T. Walker, Jay Graydon, Larry Coryell, Michael Landau, Peter White (guitar); Charles Everett, Charlie Bisharat (violin); Maria Newman (viola); Melissa "Missy" Hasin (cello); Rich Cook (Uilleann pipe); Tollak Ollestad (harmonica); Tim Heintz (accordion, keyboards); Mark Johnson (saxophone); Gerald Albright (alto saxophone); Stanley Turrentine (tenor saxophone); Freddie Hubbard (trumpet, flugelhorn); Kim Pensyl (trumpet, piano, keyboards); Rick Baptist, Stewart Blumberg (trumpet); Jerry Hey (flugelhorn); Alan Kaplan, Alexander Iles (trombone); David Benoit (piano); Patrice Rushen, Carl Evans, Jr. (keyboards); John Tesh (synthesizer); Michael Baird , George Perilli, Graham Lear, Jack DeJohnette (drums); Eddie "Bongo" Brown (congas); Pat Ankrom, Curtis Craft, Brian Kilgore (percussion); Aaron Walker (programming). Audio Mixer: Paul Wickliffe. Liner Note Author: Randall Grass. Arrangers: Gene Page; Mark Johnson.

"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.