Earth, Wind & Fire (album)

Template:Use mdy dates {{safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst-infobox||$params=italic_title,name,type,longtype,artist,cover,border,alt,caption,released,recorded,venue,studio,genre,length,language,label,director,producer,compiler,chronology,prev_title,prev_year,year,next_title,next_year,misc|$extra=italic_title,longtype,border,caption,language,director,compiler,chronology,year,misc|$aliases=italic title>italic_title,Italic title>italic_title,Name>name,Type>type,image>cover,Cover>cover,Border>border,Alt>alt,Caption>caption,Longtype>longtype,Artist>artist,Released>released,Recorded>recorded,Venue>venue,Studio>studio,Genre>genre,Length>length,Language>language,Label>label,Director>director,Producer>producer,Compiler>compiler,Chronology>chronology,Misc>misc|$flags=override|$B={{#ifeq:{{#invoke:Is infobox in lead|main|[Ii]nfobox [Aa]lbum}}|true|{{#if:Template:Has short description | |{{#if: March 1971 | Template:Short description}}}}}}{{#invoke:Infobox|infobox}}Template:Template otherTemplate:Category handlerTemplate:Main other{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox album with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y|italic_title |type |name |image |cover |border |alt |caption |longtype |artist |released |recorded |venue |studio |genre |length |language |label |director |producer |compiler |prev_title|prev_year|next_title|next_year|chronology|year|misc}}{{#if:{{#invoke:String|match|error_category=Music infoboxes with Module:String errors|A|1=The Need of Love1971studioEarth, Wind & FireEarth, Wind & Fire - Earth, Wind & Fire.jpgEarth, Wind & FireMarch 19711970Sunset Sound Studios, Hollywood* Funk

• soul
• jazz fusion<ref name= "RS 2004">Template:Cite book</ref>28:08Warner Bros.Joe Wissertx|2=</?t[drh][ >]|nomatch=}}|Template:Main other}}Template:Main other}}

Earth, Wind & Fire is the debut studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in March 1971 by Warner Bros. Records.<ref name=Album>Template:Cite book</ref> The album peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart.<ref name=BBD>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Overview

The album was produced by Joe Wissert. Hip hop artist Ludacris has also named this LP as one of his five favorite records which he considers forerunners of hip-hop.<ref name=Album /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Singles

The track "Love Is Life" reached No. 43 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Critical reception

Lester Bangs of Rolling Stone found a "heavy Sly influence" and the "smooth harmonies" of The Fifth Dimension on the album.<ref name="Bangs">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Robert Christgau of the The Village Voice in a C+ review declared, "This postsoul big band isn't as messy as the sum of its cross-references...(sometimes) the expert vocal harmonies neither fit the concept nor assert any personality of their own."<ref name=V /> Larry Ridley of DownBeat, in a 5/5 stars review declared, "(Maurice White) has assembled here a strong musical organization. They are a tight, well- knit instrumental and vocal group...The vocal voicings are somewhat reminiscent of the Fifth Dimension, but this is not to imply imitation, for Earth, Wind and Fire are just that...Any further critical analysis is unwarranted and my only other comment at this point is go out and buy this record and keep your eyes and ears open to Earth, Wind and Fire."<ref name=DownBeat />

Al Rudis of the Chicago Sun Times found "Earth, Wind and Fire brings to mind Bossa nova, Sly and the Family Stone, Ray Conniff, Afro-Cuban music and The 5th Dimension".<ref name=CST /> John Bush of AllMusic in a 4.5/5 stars review exclaimed, "The debut for the nine-member Earth, Wind & Fire was as assured as that of any rock band from the '60s and early '70s. Already fluent with the close harmonies of the classiest soul groups, the deep funk of James Brown, and the progressive social concerns and multiple vocal features of Sly & the Family Stone, the group added (courtesy of auteur Maurice White) a set of freewheeling arrangements, heavy on the horns, that made Earth Wind and Fire one of their finest albums".<ref name="Bush">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Bob Talbert of the Detroit Free Press also wrote "I'm not sure what to call this group. Afro-gospel-jazz-blues-rock? Must there be a label?...could be a forerunner of musical styles-sort of a Black Blood, Sweat and Tears or Chicago. BS&T with soul maybe".<ref name=DP />

Isaac Hayes called Earth, Wind & Fire one of the band's five essential recordings.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Track listing

All songs written by Wade Flemons, Maurice White, and Don Whitehead, unless otherwise noted.

Personnel

Musicians

• Michael Beal – guitars
• Leslie Drayton – trumpet
• Wade Flemons – electric piano, vocals
• Sherry Scott – vocals
• Alexander Thomas – trombone
• Chet Washington – reeds
• Maurice White – percussion, drums, vocals, electric kalimba
• Verdine White – bass
• Don Whitehead – acoustic piano, electric piano, vocals
• Doug Carn – Hammond organ
• Phillard Williams – percussion, conga

Production

• Producer: Joe Wissert
• Recording engineer: Bruce Botnick
• Arranger: Earth, Wind & Fire
• Horn arrangements: Leslie Drayton
• Art direction: Ed Thrasher
• Design: Mary Ann Dibs
• Artwork: Russ Smith

Charts

Album

Year	Chart	Position
1971	Billboard Top Soul Albums	24
	Billboard 200	172