Earth, Wind & Fire – Earth, Wind & Fire

Seems to be the first warner bros record, released with the new label designs with the palm trees,
especially this version compared to the later version r4817560
https://www.discogs.com/fr/release/4817560-Earth-Wind-Fire-Earth-Wind-Fire

When you write reviews for "The Greatest Band of All Time", and claim that it is your FAVORITE Band EVER, you have to treat it as such...I have to admit that I haven't done that for "Earth, Wind & Fire", so now I will rectify the situation...

Now, before they became "The Greatest Band of All Time", they were just like any other classic band, starting with humble beginnings..."Maurice White" had a vision on how the group was going to be like....But before he could get there, and coming from "Ramsey Lewis Trio" fame and "Chess Records" session drummer, he, "Don Whitehead" (Keyboards, Vocals) and "Wade Flemons" (Electric Piano, Vocals), started a band called "The Salty Peppers"....Now I personally don't understand the name, but if you find a copy of their album, GRAB IT!!!! (And I will review it later)...

So, inspired by his Astrological Chart, "Uncle Maurice" (as I affectionately call him), gave birth to "Earth Wind & Fire"...

Now, for those who don't know, this is not the Band that took the world by storm quite yet....The members consist of (besides White, Whitehead and Flemons): "Michael Beal" (Guitar), "Phillard Williams" (Percussion, Congas), "Chester Washington" (Reeds), "Alexander Thomas" (Trombone), "Leslie Drayton" (Trumpet), "Sherry Scott" (Vocals), and (in my opinion "Maurice's" anchor and ride to die Brother) "Verdine White" (Bass)....

This rendition of the band was very, very "Jazz" heavy, so the "Self titled" "Warner Bros" debut album (Produced by Joe Wissert) was very very "Jazz" heavy, but at the same time, the grooves were right on point....

You can tell that "Maurice" had a love for People and Community, because, songs like "Help Somebody", "C'mon Children" and "This World Today", showed what direction "Reese" was gravitating to...

The Crown Jewels of the album are "Fan The Fire" (which I believe is their 1st single), "Love Is Life" (which they also recorded as "The Salty Peppers", this one more "Jazzy" though) and the ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC Instrumental "Bad Tune", with "Maurice" showcasing one of my favorite Instruments of all time, the "Kalimba"....

The only thing I feel kind of brings the album down are the interludes...I know they became famous for them later, but right here, honestly, I don't believe they were ready....

Ok, I know I said a lot here, but I feel like it should have been said...This album is the ultimate stepping stone to one of Music's GREATEST Journeys...So get ready, I have a lot more to say about the soon to be "Greatest Band of All Time"!!!!!!

Not only is this a phenomenal album, but this pressing sounds fantastic as well. This is not the EWF that the general public knows, but a funkier, jazzier version. Highly recommend!

EWF create an unique masterpiece of Funky ,Jazz ,Soul fusion sounds. Beautiful and captivating with hypnotic brass sounds . Every track on the album is excellent. Many of the tracks have a phonetic and randem structure but the genius in the sound is that they create a real fusion of sound that is truly captivating. Stand out tracks are Love is Life,Fan the Fire,This world Today and Bad Tune. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

An original pressing of this LP sounds beautiful and shows a fully formed band preaching raw, real, messages of love, brotherhood and peace. The genre is not even classifiable. Part fuzzy psychedelic guitars, soaring soulful vocals, jazzy horns, sweet melodies and avant garde leanings, it's just mind blowing. All the seeds were planted here for their later commercial success and sound. This and The Need For Love are like one long LP - companion pieces. Highly recommended for soul lovers of the 70's. Try to get an original, even a 2nd pressing sounds better than any reissue.

who was to know then in 1971 that they would become this huge soul/disco funk band a few years later.

Early EW&F shows this raw, earthy, jazzy flow. There is even somewhat of an avant_garde undercurrent.