I just brought this CD after listening to two of the tracks off of my Napster player called "Change Your Mind" and "Cruising". I don't really know why I missed out on this album when it came out back in 1997 because I am a big EWF fan, but after listening to those songs, I immediately jumped onto this album and brought it. I think it's kinda better than their two recently released albums, The Promise and Illumination. Anyone else like this album?

silverchild said:

That is why you never heard of the in the name of love album. Everyone i know
including myself thought it stunk. It sounded very weak and cheaply produced.
I think the album was done on the rhino label. EWF even had former guitarist
sheldon reynolds singing lead on some tracks. I know i bought it and took it
back to the store in 3 days. It was that bad. I thought the Promise was a great album. It sounded just like an ewf album. There were no guest hip hop artists on it. All in the way was a typical uptempo 80's ewf jam. The emotions sung backup on a few of the tracks. It was probably the best ewf album since the raise and powerlight albums. I'll admit illumination was less than stellar but
still enjoyable. They brought in more outside producers on this project.
Pure gold, show me the way, and love's dance were the standout tracks on this one. It is good you enjoyed this cd i can't think of anyone i know that appreciated this cd.

phunkdaddy said:

I liked The Promise that came out back in 2003. I still bump that album till this very day because it had the true essence of EWF. I think that one is a great album. Illumination was a good one too, but what turned me off about that one was that it was too contemporary and glossy. It made them sound younger, but I still liked it because it didn't have too much of that hip-hop sound infused in their legendary vibe.

I stil like ITNOL and play it occasionally. I don't like THE PROMISE as much as when it first came out and don't play it all.
Originally, I thought ILLUMINATION was really good, but also really bored with it.
I think the problem with the last two was the prevalence of keyboard bass and horns and most recently with keyboard guitar parts.

PFunkjazz said:

You know, it's funny you made that proposition! as I was listening to 2 of those tracks from ITNOL on my napster playlist, I notioced that there was "live" instrumentation and that was a good thing. The Promise and Illumination was more modern, using protools technology. ITNOL sounds more like vintage EWF, but all 3 are good albums.

I guess i would have to listen to in the name again. I just couldn't get with it
especially with sheldon reynolds singing lead. That is almost is bad as j.d nichols singing lead on some of the commodore classics.
When i heard their millenium album i thought they could do no worse but when i
heard in the name i was like wtf is ewf doing. I could understand the songs probably had more live instrumentation but it just didn't sound polished like a typical ewf album. It sounded rushed and cheap considering it was on the rhino label.

phunkdaddy said:

That wasn't my assertion. It's way better than MILLENNIUM (which stinks to this day), but there has never been (nor will there ever be) "a typical ewf album" since I AM (which I don't really like). ITNOL just sounds good when you hear it unexpectedly in your changer or a random cut on the radio (wherever that may be).

This CD was recently re-released with new,surprisingly generic artwork:



Fans will recall that there are two versions of this CD.The first one was titled 'Avatar' and was released in Japan in 1996.The US version was titled 'In The Name Of Love' and was released in the summer of 1997.The tracklists are slightly different.

I like this album alot.In the mid-90s,it was refreshing to hear an album like this.The songs mostly steered clear of current trends at the time,resulting in a truly soulful and funky album.Tracks like "Keep It Real","Revolution","Rock It" and "In The Name Of Love" have that classic 70s Earth Wind and Fire sound/vibe.In fact,"Love Is Life" is a remake of a 1971 Earth Wind and Fire song.Several months ago,the song "Change Your Mind" was sent to R&B/Quiet Storm radio stations and it actually got some airplay this time around.It became a minor hit.Someone mentioned that they didn't like Sheldon Reyonolds singing on a few songs.I think he was one of their best newer members and it's a shame that they let him go.In concert,he did a great job with songs like "After The Love Is Gone".Nobody can replace Maurice White,but Sheldon was a great asset to the band.

PFunkjazz said:

I agree.I liked that CD alot when it first came out but these days,I rarely listen to it.It didn't hold my interest for very long.It sounds like they were trying too hard to appeal to younger audiences.I recall Philip Bailey saying in interviews that it was inspired by Santana's 'Supernatural' They were using the same strategy but it doesn't work with everybody.The album is cool though.There are several great songs.

silverchild said:

'The Promise' is a very good album.Very melodic and mellow.There are probably too many ballads,but it's a tight,focused album with hardly any filler.The Latin-flavored "Never" is superb....I consider it "Fantasy 2003" Has the same mood and exotic feel of that song.

PFunkjazz said:

I like 'Millenium' It doesn't really sound like a genuine EW&F album but there are some cool songs throughout."Wouldn't Change A Thing About You" should have been a single.Ditto for "Love Across The Wire".

SoulAlive said:

...

Yup, I liked the original Japanese cd cover:




I also liked the Japanese import cd's song lineup better, so I'm glad it was rereleased--But I wonder why they gave it such a plain wrapper treatment?



...

...

SoulAlive said:

I agree there were too many ballads for a ewf album but it was still very tight. I agree with you on never. I also liked betcha,she waits, and the funky
all in the way and dirty. I am gonna go to amazon and see if i can sample this all in the name of love. When it was released in the mid 90's i just wasn't feeling it.

paligap said:

Yeah,I prefer 'Avatar'.Excellent tracklist,stunning artwork