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70ts Soul, R 'n' B, Funk, Jazz Fusion
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"…Let's Groove…"
With 15 albums (2 of which were originally
vinyl doubles) and a packed Bonus Disc personally chosen by the band's
principal songwriter and guiding force Maurice White - there’s a huge cache of
Soul/Funk goodies on here – so let's get to the cosmic details right away.
Released June 2012 – "The Columbia Masters" by EARTH, WIND & FIRE is a 16CD
Mini Box Set on Sony Legacy 88697894692 and breaks down as follows:
1. Last Days And Time, November 1972 album, 11
tracks, 39:52 minutes
2. Head To The Sky, May 1973, 6 tracks, 36:39
minutes
3. Open Our Eyes, March 1974, 11 tracks, 39:53
minutes
4. That's The Way Of The World, March 1975, 8
tracks, 38:54 minutes
5. Gratitude, November 1975 2LP set, 16 tracks,
66:11 minutes
6. Spirit, October 1976, 9 tracks, 36:23
minutes
7. All 'n' All, November 1977, 11 tracks, 38:58
minutes
8. The Best Of Earth, Wind & Fire Vol.1,
November 1978, 10 tracks, 40:10 minutes
9. I Am, June 1979, 9 tracks, 37:40 minutes
10. Faces, November 1980 2LP set, 17 tracks,
66:07 minutes
11. Raise!, November 1981, 9 tracks, 38:30
minutes
12. Powerlight, March 1983, 9 tracks, 41:20
minutes
13. Electric Universe, November 1983, 8 tracks,
37:19 minutes
14. Touch The World, November 1987, 10 tracks,
42:47 minutes
15. Heritage, February 1990, 17 tracks, 51:22
minutes
16. Constellations – The Universe Of EW&F,
2012 Exclusive, 16 tracks, 68:10 minutes
Their first two albums "Earth, Wind & Fire" (1971) and "The Need Of Love" (1972) were both on Warner Brothers in the USA –
so are not covered by this box set. And the eagle-eyed collectors amongst you
will also have noticed the absence of bonus tracks on all albums when the
1999 and 2001 Legacy single-issue CD remasters all had about 4 extras each. But
there is Disc 16 – which has "Live From Rio" stuff, 12"
instrumental mixes and duets.
The chunky 40-page mini booklet is fabulous –
well put together with full album annotation – an Intro from Leo Sachs – photos
of singles and publicity photos. Overall mastering is by Mark Wilder – but a
quick listen to any disc and its clear that the Legacy remasters of old have
been used – and that means great sound quality throughout. And a bonus for us
who appreciate our Repro Artwork – each card is a gatefold – even the albums
that had a single sleeve issue initially.
The chart statistics surrounding EWF are
staggering - "Shining Star", "Sing A Song", "Getaway", "Serpentine Fire", "Got
To Get You Into My Life" (a Beatles cover), "September", "Let's Groove" and "System Of Survival" were all Number 1s in the USA R 'n'B Billboard charts. Every other chart entry they had
between 1973 ("Evil") and 1990 ("For The Love Of You” with MC Hammer) are all
here too – nearly 40 of them! But what a set like this does is to allow you to
dip into those lesser-travelled paths – the stunning Fusion instrumental "Power" on "Last Days And Time" – the lovely Isley Brothers Soul of "Keep Your Head To
The Sky" – the out-and-out Power Funk of "Mighty Mighty" (a Number 4 in March
1974) – and the irresistible floor-filling joy of "Let Me Talk" which opened the
ambitious double-album "Faces".
Sixteen CDs worth of EWF is probably a little
too much for the average Soulster (a single Best Of will do) – but at its
presently reduced price of just over a twenty spot – in 2014 "The Columbia Masters" doesn't half
offer ludicrously great value for money. And all of it sounding like it's ready
to put ants in your pants. Always a joyous Soul and Funk band – Earth,
Wind & Fire's "The Columbia Masters" is a winner…
