Earth, Wind & Fire - Last Days And Time

Year : 1972

Label : CBS
Genre : Soul, Jazz
Style : Psychedelic Soul

Maurice White is back with a new line-up (exept his brother Verdine), recruiting saxophonist Ronnie Laws (brother of jazz flautist Hubert Laws), keyboardist Larry Dunn, percussionist Philipp Bailey among others, the definitive formation of the band during several years. "Last Days And Time" like its predecessors is a psychedelic soul album including short free jazz interludes, the latin Soul song "Mom" and the killer instrumental track "Power" sampled by Pete Rock for "Mind Frame" feat. Freddie Foxxx in 2001. The cover is designed by renowed artist Mati Klarwein also in charge of famous cover art for Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew" album released in 1970.

MUSICIANS : Maurice White - drums, kalimba & vocal - Roland Bautista - guitar - Verdine White - bass, vocal & percussion - Ronald Laws - tenor, soprano saxophone & flute - Larry Dunn - piano, clavinet & organ - Phillip Bailey - congas & percussion & vocal - Ralph Johnson - drums & percussion - Jessica Cleaves - vocal

Earth, Wind And Fire - The Need Of Love

Year : 1971
Label : Warner
Genre : Soul, Jazz
Style : Psychedelic Soul

Second album of the band featuring guest musicians, jazz trumpeter Oscar Brashear and percussionist Yackov Ben Israel. As the previous album, "The Need Of Love" includes Funk/Soul songs to the jazz expressions, as evidence the opening track, the psalm "Energy", a over nine-minute suite with free forms, slam and funky arrangements. Titles include Psychedelic Soul songs "I Can Feel It In My Bones", "Everything Is Everything", "Beauty" and the love ballad "I Think About Lovin' You".

MUSICIANS : Maurice White - drums, percussion, kalimba, vocals - Verdine Adams - bass - Michael Beale - guitar, harmonica - Yackov Ben Israel - percussion, congas - Don Whitehead - piano, electric piano - Chester Washington - tenor saxophone - Alex Thomas - trombone - Oscar Brashear - trumpet, vocals - Wade Flemons & Sherry Scott - vocals

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Earth Wind And Fire (Self-Titled)

Year : 1970
Label : Warner
Genre : Soul, Jazz
Style : Psychedelic Soul, Jazz Funk

The Psychedelic Soul debut album by one of most great funk band of all the time far from the Boogie-Funk sound which made them famous in the mid-seventies. Earth, Wind & Fire was formed in 1969 by Maurice White, a session drummer for Chess records and former member of the Ramsey Lewis Trio, pianists Wade Flemons and Don Whitehead. The band left their mark in 1971, on the soundtrack of famous blaxploitation film "Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song" starring & directed by Melvin Van Peebles. In 1974, the core of the band collabored to the Ramsey Lewis album "Sun Goddess" which contributes to their renown. Titles include the Latin Funk "Help Somebody", "C'mon Children", "Bad Tune" sampled by Brand Nubian for "Dance For My Ministry" in 1990 and DJ Shadow for "In/Flux" in 1993. All songs arranged by Earth, Wind & Fire, all songs written & composed Maurice White, Wade Flemons, Don Whitehead except "C'mon Children" & "Bad Tune" by Michael Beale/Verdine Adams .

MUSICIANS : Maurice White - drums, percussion, kalimba, vocals - Verdine Adams - bass - Michael Beale - guitar - Phillard Williams - percussion, congas - Don Whitehead - piano, electric piano - Chester Washington - reeds - Alex Thomas - trombone - Leslie Drayton - trumpet - Sherry Scott - vocals - Wade Flemons - vocals, electric piano

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