Earth, Wind & Fire - Earth Wind & Fire - Music & Performance - CD

Earth Wind and Fire's freewheeling debut finds the band developing their style and having a good time doing it. Earth Wind and Fire immediately had a distinct sound, one that was not only experimental, but also as upbeat as it's lyrics. A fusion of blues and gospel harmonies, funk, jazz and R&B. Includes the deep funk extravaganza "Moment of Truth" and the sweet ballad "Love Is Life".

The debut for the nine-member Earth, Wind & Fire was as assured as that of any rock band from the '60s and early '70s. Already fluent with the close harmonies of the classiest soul groups, the deep funk of James Brown, and the progressive social concerns and multiple vocal features of Sly & the Family Stone, the group added (courtesy of auteur Maurice White) a set of freewheeling arrangements, heavy on the horns, that made Earth Wind and Fire one of their finest albums -- the artistic equal of their later hits, if not on the same level commercially. Unlike the work of most early funk bands, the songwriting was as strong and focused as the musicianship; the record boasts a set of unerringly positive compositions, reflecting the influence of the civil rights movement with nearly every song urging love, community, and knowledge as alternatives to the increasing hopelessness plaguing American society. The stop-start opener "Help Somebody," the deep funk extravaganza "Moment of Truth," and the sweet ballad "Love Is Life" were unified in their pursuit of positivity, while even the potentially incendiary title "Fan the Fire" was revealed in a peaceful context: "The flame of love is about to die/Somebody fan the fire." And the instrumental closer, "Bad Tune," is hardly a cast-off; the furious kalimba work of Maurice White and wordless backing vocals combine to create an excellent piece of impressionist funk. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide

Performer	Earth, Wind & Fire
Music genre	R&B / Soul
Media format	CD
Original release date	1997
Language	English
Has parental advisory label	N
Number of discs	1
Track listing	Help Somebody, Moment of Truth, Love Is Life, Fan the Fire, C'mon Children, This World Today, Bad Tune
Record label	Warner Records
Songwriter	Earth Wind & Fire
Track name	Moment of Truth
Digital audio file format	CD
Music media format	CD
Is edited	N
Is enhanced	N