Music that always puts me in a good mood and I got married to "September" in March 2014. For me, it really started in 1979 when I heard the album "All in All" with the hit "Fantasy" (1977). If it’s loud enough, you almost think you can sing as high as Philip Bailey... Unfortunately, I have never seen them live.
Earth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire (also known as EWF or The Mighty Elements of the Universe) is an American band that makes soul, funk, jazz and disco music – and also combines various musical styles – with prominent roles for percussion, brass, kalimba, bass and vocals. The band was especially popular in the seventies. The band was founded in 1969 in Chicago by Maurice White, former session drummer for the Chess label, the songwriting duo Wade Flemons and Don Whitehead, and guitarist Michael Beale. The first two albums, Earth, Wind & Fire and The Need of Love, were released in February and November 1971.
Soul, funk, jazz and gospel were blended by White into an exuberant musical style with which Earth, Wind & Fire not only sold tens of millions of records thanks to hits like Shining Star (1975), Fantasy (1978), Boogie Wonderland (1979) and Let's Groove (1981), but also made history as the first black band to fill arenas in the United States.
In 1994, EWF was inducted into the NAACP Hall of Fame, and on 15 September 1995 the original lineup reunited for the unveiling of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. "We owe this to our loyal fans," said Maurice, who, however, missed the next tour. In 1996 it became clear why: he suffered from Parkinson’s disease. But instead of resigning himself to his illness, Maurice remained active from his own studio in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, where he wrote lyrics and produced music for EWF and other artists. From that moment on, Philip Bailey not only took over the bandleader role at performances but also a large part of the lower vocal parts.
In 2016, the year Maurice White died at the age of 74, the band toured European festivals again with concerts at Glastonbury and North Sea Jazz.
Source: Wikipedia Photo: Chris Hakkens and album cover
https://www.earthwindandfire.com/
The album "All in All" was on our turntable on 24 November 2019 during our Sunday Morning Classics.