Looks like Earth Wind and Fire are getting ready to release yet another "Live" album.This latest one will be released on November 19 on Kalimba Records (leader Maurice White's own label).Titled "Live In Rio",this CD was recorded at a major sports stadium in Rio De Janeiro,Brazil (1980) before a packed audience of over 100,000 people.Following a non-stop string of multi-platinum albums (such as "All N' All" and "I Am"),"Live In Rio" finds the original line-up of the legendary group in peak performance.


TRACKLIST---

"Dialog"
"Rock That!"
"In The Stone"
"Serpentine Fire"
"Fantasy"
"Can't Let Go"
"Getaway"
"Brazilian Rhyme"
"Magic Mind"
"Runnin"
"After The Love Is Gone"
"Rio After Dark"
"Got To Get You Into My Life"
"Boogie Wonderland"
"September"


For more details and to check out the album cover,be sure to visit www.kalimbarecords.com

that will be Something else from the World's Greatest Band Ever!! at there Peak&Live nothing wrong with that whatsoever.Much Props to the Genius that is Maurice White&Crew.Elements put a Hurting on anybody on stage Period IMHO.

For the EW&F fan on your Christmas list,this CD will make a great gift.Here's a run-down of the other EW&F "Live" CDs that are available...


***"Gratitude"(1975)---This is one of the best Live albums of all-time,imo.It was re-mastered a few years ago,with a bonus medley of songs taken from a 1978 Natalie Cole TV special.

***"Greatest Hits Live"(1996)---This is one of the last Live performances featuring Maurice White (he no longer tours with the band).It's a kickass show!

***"That's The Way Of The World: Live In '75"(2002)---This show is from the vaults.It contains Live recordings from their 1975 tour,so it's kinda like a "Gratitude Part 2".

note 2 self: call and tell dad...

mistermaxxx said:

I've been waiting for a complete set! The previous sets were cool, but they were a mish-mash of different tour stops. Per the chronology, this should be the final band with Larry Dunn, Johnny Graham And Al McKay. I'll contain my enthusiasm to see if they really stretch on "Brazilian Rhyme", "Magic Mind", "Runnin".

I can't get enough of their DVD- Live by Request. Such a fun concert to watch.

hey David, think you can round up times for each track?

I had the pleasue of meeting Phillip Bailey at a NAACP convention here in Houston. Very Cool Brother!!! This album is definitely a must buy.

PFunkjazz said:

you always gotta throw a side barb on the Elements when you know Damn Good&Well that if those Cats tour right now they would keep P-Funk along with Star-Child in a Diaper.there Live albums are considered some of the Greatest Ever.the Mighty P-Funk Live Albums are Good especially 76 but you Know EWF gets much Props for "Gratitude".EWF still can Stretch the only thing P-Funk can Stretch nowadays is there Viagra,Exlax&Social Security Checks.Lay off my band.

mistermaxxx said:

Absolutely

The Elements - Earth Wind & Fire. Man those cats used to wear come outlandish costumes, they wore tights (seriously!!) which were replaced by magnificently colored African-influenced attire. When I hear "That's The Way Of The World" or "Shining Star" the lyrics are so profoundly uplifting. These Brutha's made a serious impact on making a connection on our heritage and introduce our culture to a wide audience.



You're a shining star
No matter who you are
Shining bright to see
What you could truly be
from Earth, Wind, and Fire's "Shining Star"

This is exciting news. Christmas is coming early this year for sure!

...ouch...

PFunkjazz said:

I'll find that info soon

Btw,there is also an Earth Wind and Fire remix album that just came out.It's called 'Soul Source Remixes' and it is available in the U.S. as an import only (check Amazon.com).Here's the tracklist...


Earth Wind & Fire "Soul Source Remixes" (Import)---

"Let's Groove"(Restless Soul Inspiration Information Mix)-Ph
"Shining Star"(DJ Jin Asakusa Samba Remix)---DJ Jin
"September"(FPM Beautiful Latin Mix)---Fantastic Plastci Mach
"Brazilian Rhyme"(Fearless Mix)---Shinichi Osawa For Mondo Gr
"Boogie Wonderland"(Inspiration 83 Mix)---SlowSupreme
"Fantasy"(Shelter DJ Mix)---Blaze
"Can't Hide Love"(Masters Album Mix)---Masters At Work
"After The Love Has Gone"(cover)---Sofaking
"Zanzibar" (Fantasia ReFormation)---Toshio Matsuura
"Getaway"(Top Gear Mix)---Horoshi Yamashita (Wack Wack Rhythm)
"September 99 (Re-Edit)---Danny Krivit
"Feelin' Blue"(Quiet Lakeside Mix)---Soul Source Production


I know that some of you would cringe at the thought of EW&F's music being remixed by today's DJs and remixers,but a few years ago,the "September 99" remix was well-received in the nightclubs.It's a great way to expose their music to today's youth.

JUST PICKED UP ALIVE IN 75 OVER THE WEEKEND AND IT IS KICKING!!!

eldog98 said:

Yeah,that CD kicks ass!! I especially love the live versions of "Evil" and "Kalimba Story".And "Sun Goddess" with Ramsey Lewis is pure bliss!!

eldog98 said:

I was Blasting"Happy Feeling" from that Album like a Madd Man this Weekend.that is a Band that is So Tight they released Two Live Albums within a Year&Kicked Ass on Both Easily.

jtgillia said:

I just rented the Live DVD from 1982. Some crazy outfits! It's so cool to see so many musicins on stage and no recorded tracks, all LIVE!

DMSR said:

That particular performance took place in my area (Oakland Coliseum) on New Year's Eve 1981.Out of all the EW&F concerts available,that's the most exciting show,imo.Maurice really seems to be enjoying himself during that show.

Other EW&F concert DVDs include "Live In Japan 1990",which is a cool show but has too many "hip hop elements" for my taste.There is also the 1994 "Live" concert that also took place in Japan,I believe.And there's the aforementioned "Live By Request" 1999 performance.

I strongly recommend you guys also check out their "Shining Stars" documentary that came out on DVD/video last year.It tells their complete story,and contains ALOT of rare concert footage.It's a must-have for any EW&F fan!!

Phew--at least its going to be a live one from part of their prime era and not todays overglossed shows.EWF are one of the ten greatest bands in any categorie. Makes you wonder about the "de-evolution" of soul music today.

rdhull said:

I have a 1979 bootleg EW&F concert that totally kicks ass! It's apparently from early '79,before the release of the 'I Am' album (it contains no songs from that album).They start things off with a fierce version of "Jupiter".It's great hearing EW&F in their prime,with all the original members.I'm pretty sure "Live In Rio" will be very similiar to this bootleg,since it was only recorded a year later.

DavidEye said:

I didnt even know there were EWF bootlegs...Im glad this release will include I Am material..Rock That is the shit..they used to play this on the nightly sports wrap ups lol. And In Thhe Stone is jammin too as well as Cant Let Go. I Am was the last great EWF record before it all went to electronic synthesized hell.
[This message was edited Tue Oct 15 5:34:20 PDT 2002 by rdhull]

rdhull said:

I love the 'I Am' album too,although alot of people think that's the album where they "sold out".It is overtly commercial,but I dig it anyway."In The Stone","Can't Let Go","Let Your Feelings Show" and "You And I" are all top-notch songs.This CD is being re-mastered as we speak.

DavidEye said:

Yeah Dave you woulda heard that line about I Am from me. "BW" is the main culprit, here, but it's still memorable for the last great stand of the guitar tandem of Al McKay and Johnny Graham: which is why this BRAZIL gig is important.

I do remember there being a big tour for ALL 'N' ALL. The I AM material wasn't quite complete, but they dropped the adlib on "Let Your Feelings Show". THAT WAS A TOTAL FREAK_OUT!!! Is this what you got on that EWF boot?

We gonna have to talk.

I do agree that tis I Am was the sell out release ..sort of. They had someoen else write After The Love etc...smoothed out their sound..but!, it still has clasic EWF elements and m,elds well. After this not only did they really sell out, they went and tried to follow the synth scene etc , failing quite miserably...they couldnt even get their own sound back after the debacle. So while I Am was the beginning of the end, the next release Faces WAS the end.

rdhull said:

I don't agree here. NOT AT ALL!!

I think FACES kicked major ass. Like, they tried to do something right after losing Al. I think RAISE! was the beginnnig of the fading. I could barely tolerate the overt commmercialism of "Let's Groove" after "Boogie Wonderland"!!

Still, this was a great tour! They did multiple dates in large arenas adn jammed for almost 3 hrs..WITH NO OPENER!!! It was sweet too, cuz folks was fading on the Elements and I scored major floor seats at the INGLEWOOD FORUM (it was squeezed in between LAKERS games) the day of the show! They had that PHOENIX hawk swooping down from the rafters and explosions. WHEW! They brought back Roland Baustista for lead guitar and he rocked out (Johnny was on his way out and did a little bit of rhythm work).

Everything else got real weak afterwards. POWERLIGHT and ELECTRIC UNIVERSE sucked hard. There was goofy album with THE BOYS and MC HAMMER...UGH! HERITAGE!!!


TOUCH THE WORLD was kinda cool. Got a good tour out of it (last tiem I saw Maurice on stage!), but they sounded too hi-tech (BTW that songwriter/keyboardist, SKYLARK, is a big part of the DOOBIE BROTHERS nowadays where he plays bass). Last up, I really dug IN THE NAME OF LOVE. I just can't find nobody to cosign

Maurice ain't a part of the touring group any more cuz of his affliction with PArkinson's. I know a few of the touring bandmembers and this new set in 2003 may be a goodie.

PFunkjazz said:

I dug the Hell out of "In the Name of Love"."Faces" had Strong Instrumental Track Moments but if you listen real closely it was "I Am" Re-Threads."You"for instance was "After the Love has Gone"&they did that with David Foster."Raise" was my Last Decent EWF IMHO."Lady Sun",Evolution Orange" was the Jam I've had Enough" was tight."Powerlight had a few Cuts but it was "Raise" part 2 IMHO.Synths&Programming overtook everything&trying too keep up with a Modern Sound pretty Much Burried them IMHO.I went too the "Touch The World Tour&It was Slamming.Better Live than the GLossy Album."System of Survival" was cool."I Am" is a Tight Album but you can tell the Company,Ego&Loot started to take Over IMHO."Heritage" in addtion to Hammer,the Boys also Featured Sly Stone.Sly was guesting with various People for a Minute around this time including the Bar Kays."Heritage" Suffered from too Much Appealing too&Poor 2nd&3rd Re-Threads.Maurice will Tour in Certain Spots.He might pop out here&there.this Album is taking way Longer than it should have IMHO.

PFunkjazz said:

Faces had Let Me Taslk which was classic EWF yes..I guess Raise is the one though. Thats Lets Groove was a hit but the beginning of th e elctric sound..but that one also had Wanna Be With Her to try to redeem itself. Yeah, Raise was the beginning...

Earth Wind and Fire have a new studio album that will be released in April 2003.The first single drops on March 3.Here is the tentative tracklist for the new album (these are only the songs that I have heard about,there will be an additional four songs added to the album)---


"Whatever Happened"---This funky,catchy song is already available on the "Undercover Brother" movie soundtrack.

"Wonderland"---Angie Stone adds vocals to this song.

"She Waits"---features guitar by Carlos Rios.

"Soul"---no details on this song.

"Fun And Free"---this song was featured in the recent Eddie Murphy flop "Pluto Nash".

"Never"---Gerald Albright appears on this song.

"Why"---Maurice sings lead vocals on this song,which appeared in the film "Pluto Nash".

"Heaven"---no details on this song.

"Thank You For The Love"---Maurice describes this song as a tribute to the fans for their many years of loyalty and love for EW&F.

"I Wanna Be Loved"---On this song,Philip Bailey sings a duet with Eric Benet,who wrote and co-produced the song.It's a sexy slow jam.



OTHER EVENTS TO LOOK FORWARD TO---


***November---The band heads to Japan for a tour.Maurice is gonna travel with them,and MAY make a few surprise appearances onstage!!

***January 3,2003---The "Live In Rio" DVD will be released.It's a 1980 concert in Rio De Janeiro,Brazil.
[This message was edited Wed Oct 16 1:03:58 PDT 2002 by DavidEye]

rdhull said:

I was slightly disappointed with the 'Faces'(1980) album.It's a 2-record set filled with well-produced EW&F songs,but there isn't much experimentation and new ideas on this album.Except for the rock track "Back On The Road" and the jazzy,Latin-flavored title track,it's all by-the-numbers Earth Wind and Fire songs.Granted,these are okay songs (I love "Sailaway" and "Share Your Love"),but nothing to really get excited about.

I liked 'Raise'(1981) a little better.There seems to be a little more excitement to the proceedings.On jams like "Let's Groove" and "Lady Sun",the fellas sound ENERGIZED and ready to rock.The slower tracks (such as "Wanna Be With You") are also superb,and the whole thing closes with a kickass rock song "The Changing Times".

The 'Powerlight' album(1983) was a disaster,imo.This time around,the guys were totally into electronic R&B/funk.That's to be expected,since after all,these were the 80s.But,there wasn't a standout song anywhere on the record.Hit singles like "Fall In Love With Me" and "Side By Side" aren't bad songs,but they can do better.

By 1983,it was time for EW&F to make a few changes and they did exactly that with the 'Electric Universe' album.This album was considered the fiasco that broke up the band,but I actually like this one! Relying on heavy synthesizers and drum machines,this album is more "New Wave" than funk.I especially love the ballad "Could It Be Right",one of those "lost" classics that should have been a hit.Other strong songs include "Touch","Magnetic" and a lovely Philip Bailey ballad "We're Living In Our Own Time".Honestly,I can't figure out why so many people hated this project.

1987's 'Touch The World' is a great album all the way through.The guys sound great on uptempo jams like "System Of Survival","Thinkin Of You","Money Tight" and "Victim Of The Modern Heart".Philip Bailey delivers a stunning,hypnotic Quiet Storm ballad "Here Today,Gone Tomorrow".Probably their most consistent album of the 80s.

1990's 'Heritage' has it's flaws (Why does MC Hammer have to appear on TWO TRACKS??!!),but it also has it's share of delights."Daydreamin" is a wonderful song that should have been a hit,and "Anything For You" shines brightly.The Sly Stone collaboration "Good Time" is a funk lover's dream,and Maurice lays down the law on "King Of Groove".

In 1993,EW&F released 'Millenium' and it's the last great record they made,imo.I LOVE THIS ALBUM!! It's filled with strong,memorable songs like "Sunday Morning","Love Across The Wire","Wouldn't Change A Thing About You",and even a Prince-written track "Super Hero".Simply brilliant!!!

Unfortunately,in 1997,the fellas released a so-so album called 'In The Name Of Love'.This CD consists primarily of lazy "Quiet Storm" love ballads.Sadly,you don't even hear much of Maurice White's vocals on this record.It all sounds more like a solo Philip Bailey album (with a few guest vocals by Ralph and Sheldon).A total snooze-fest.