That's The Way Of The World

Fun from start to end!

It was fine, not quite what I want or expect from EWF. I guess their hits are hits for a reason.the falsetto was too much.

Siendo el sexto álbum de la multitudinaria banda proveniente de Chicago, nos presenta una sabrosa mezcla de soul, con funk y disco. Pareciera que lo único que no quedaba en su lugar eran algunos tramos poco convencionales y haciendo que se perdiera el ritmo del disco. Aunque suela ir en contra de la corriente, en este trabajo creo que resultan mejor parados y más sólidos los temas más simples en comparación a los que tuvieron un esfuezo extra en su composición. Es cautivante la energía de los temas más movidos, que por ahí se pierde en las canciones más melódicas.

EW&F have about as much vocal talent as anyone else, and I especially like Phillip Bailey's voice, think he's one of the best singers ever, the projection he gets in that super-high register is just absurd. And I basically like all the up-tempo tracks on this CD ("Shining Star", "Happy Feelin'" and "Yearnin' Learnin'"), plus the ballads that allow Bailey to take over (that's really just the title track - he's lead on "Reasons" but doesn't turn in such a great performance). But the other ballads don't grab me, and it's really a pretty ballad-heavy CD. The 2nd half in particular is pretty light. Fine listen though, would put it on again.

Lekkere soul voor de zaterdagnacht. Ik ben zelf iets meer van de swingende nummers, maar dit is ook zo lekker. ***

Holy funk

Was super excited at first, but then it felt like it dragged on.

Some legit hits. But felt like a lot of low points

Robert a une nouvelle fois gâché la fête en libérant l'album d'un groupe mythique dépourvu d'un quelconque tube. À ce sujet, je voulais vous partager la grosse boulette que j'ai commise dans le cadre de mon activité professionnelle. Vous savez déjà que j'ai pour habitude d'envoyer quelques minutes après mon réveil un courriel de menace à Robert, c'est l'une des étapes qui composent ma routine matinale. Pourtant, hier matin, je n'obtins pas l'avis de lecture qui suit généralement l'envoi de celui-ci. Après vérification, il s'avéra que je l'avais en fait envoyé à mon client le plus important, également appelé Robert. Ce dernier, se rendant compte de mon erreur et voyant bien que les menaces en question étaient destinées à Robert Dimery et non à lui-même, transmit ledit mail et le vrai Robert en accusa bonne réception quelques minutes plus tard. Une belle frayeur mais un dénouement heureusement sans conséquence.

Oh, well, this is easy-to-listen-to 70s soul; it might have been a revelation in its time, but in hindsight it's nothing special. Just a good soul album. 3/5

Good, but a little too slow for my tastes. Wanted more uptempo stuff like the opening track.

Short, and just ok.

One of the funkiest and smoothest bands on earth.

3.5/5

Pretty good. Bit mixed. May need to listen again.

It's okay. I enjoyed some of the funk but definitely could have been funkier. 3.5/5

Its funk and soul. One song was recognizable. It was alright. I don't think I need to listen to an entire album of it as some of the songs dragged on a little bit too long.

I’d want to return to this album

Is Justin Timberlake on this ... ? Maybe in the background of Way of the World ... Go ahead, listen for it, you'll hear him... This album makes me think of one of those late '70s Lincoln Town Cars that'll hold all your friends but won't fit into your garage. How big is EW&F, anyhow? Too big for my Prius, that's for sure. Lots of sounds coming off of this album, the falsetto voices from every direction are maddening but the horns and Love Boat keyboards somehow make up for it. I like the bass lines in some of the duds, but all tallied, this was about what I expected from this album, that is to say outdated and a relic of the past that won't get much more play from me.

I like EW&F just fine. They don't bug me. They don't excite me particularly. Hence 3 stars.

FUnKyYYYYYY

I enjoyed the first half of this album a lot more than the second half. But all songs were happy and uplifting, which definitely has its place. Overall a good album.

This feels like a big part of the soundtrack to my early childhood, I think because this was the sort of thing everyone seemed to agree was pretty good at the time. This is what you’d expect to hear in someone’s car or on TV as an example of modern music. It has one great song in Shining Star. Plus Reasons and Africano are pretty solid. Otherwise super-polished and inoffensive.

A bit of filler, but mostly dance-tastic disco!

This was pretty cool. Funky and groovy etc. I did fall asleep though, so can't give it more than a 3/5.

Groovy og gøy en stund, så litt slitsomt.

Distinct lack of Water.

i don't have enough elbows

Enjoyed the grooviness even though its not quite my style of music. Really liked reason's and happy feeling. Recommend this to all fans of funk

3.5 Funky, Soulful and Jazzy. Nice

According to a lot of fans (and also the 1001-album-list) the best of Earth, Wind & Fire. With delicious funky songs like "Shining Star" and "Yearnin', Learnin'", ballads like "That's the Way of the World" and "All About Love", and jazzy groove songs like "Africano," I can fully understand why this would be the case. On the other hand there's also songs like "Reasons"; the disco ballads style with those abnormally high-pitched vocals, those sterile strings and horns. All in all, a really funky and soulful album. It's just not fully the thing for me.

Funkalicious music from the band that made it happen.

Cool, funky, makes your move music. I'll probably listen to this again. Shining Star is a big hit that I recognize.

Svo smúþ að það er ekki hægt annað en að vagga sér í takt. Ekki þeirra besta plata, en hún er fín.

It’s fine. Not really into R&B and Soul so it’s no surprise to me that this album didn’t quite resonate with me. I didn’t love it but it also didn’t annoy me, easy enough listen, Yearnin’ Learnin’ stood out as my favourite with the funky vibes. Africano was pretty fun too with great percussion work. 3/5

siempre preferiré saltarme este género, pero es un álbum muy divertido.

it was alright, i liked the jazz but overall there wasn't a song that stuck out for me.

Elementary school dance vibes. Had a sudden urge to ask my wife to dance, but inexplicably was too shy and nervous to go through with it. Oh well, maybe next album.

soulful and chill

Funky fresh

Avslutningen på All About Love va heilt sinnsjukt feit, har sikkert hørt på den 30 ganga i dag. Headsettet mitt knakk på slutten av albumet :(

Not my favourite genre of music, but pretty cool. Not every song was an absolute bop for me but definitely had catchy moments. 3 stars

Short album, upbeat music

Excellent dance grooves. Not a big fan of falsetto or horn sections.

• I was disappointed to see September wasn’t on this album • Shining Star is good • Africano is a very cool instrumental • I mostly listened to this in the background while playing with my dog so I don’t have many in-depth thoughts on the individual songs • It has more variety than the Sister Sledge album I listened to, but still isn’t what I would call my style of music Favourite song: Africano

I real stand-outs but I enjoyed the groovy music.

gracias, ta bueno

i’m probably being harsh here, but i expected a lot more from an earth wind and fire album. this was totally fine, everything was solid, but there wasnt anything that really stood out to me

Mellow n smooth background funk

Very funkadelic heavy for a pop charter. Reasons is such a BOP

Has all the right elements.

Low effort lyrics. Amazing base lines. Makes me want to strut down a street.

Okay. Fun, not quite my style.

Overall the album is good, but it seemed like the recording/mixing on the horns was distorted at times. There were also some kind of weird hippy/spiritual sections, but overall cohesive listen.

Good production, nice bass guitar.

Solid funk album, starts to drag a bit on the back half but wraps up before the magic is gone.

Is this an important or revolutionary album in the history of funk and/or soul music? No idea really, but I'm guessing not particularly. Is it at least E,W&F at their best? Again, I'm the wrong person to ask. There's no September-esque mega-banger in my opinion, but maybe as a collection it is? Did I enjoy it? Yeah, for the most part. Some undeniably happy and groovy vibes.

Not as disco as I was expecting, but this was alright!

Ça groove, la production est bonne et c'est des bons musiciens. Par contre les balades sont ennuyantes. Pas sûr que je réécouterais, mais je suis content de l'avoir écouté. Pièces préférées: Shinning Star, Africano, Yearnin' Learnin', See the Light

3, funky

Bright, upbeat and funky with patches of smooth soulfulness. Impressive vocal talents and the bassist *shreds* on 'Happy Feelin'. Very tight drumming throughout the album, not overly flashy, just what the songs need. Great percussion and horns on 'Africano'. Easy to see from where later artists drew some of their inspiration.

No September? ಥ_ಥ

Bardzo funky :D Męczące dla mnie na dłuższą metę, ale miało swoje ładniejsze momenty. Myślę że słabe 3 tutaj, z naciskiem że to bardziej przez to że nie lubię gatunku, niż przez to że to słabi jego reprezentanci

Funky, funky. Un 3.

September, Fantasy (Single Version). 3.

didn't even notice

Couple of heaters (Burnin' Yearnin' - DAMN) but disappointing in the main

Groovy, funky.

Pretty fun funk/soul. I didn't realize how much I'd heard before until I sat down and listened.

That's the Way of the World is a 1975 film about the struggles of the music industry as record execs rule with an iron fist. It's alright. That's the Way of the World is also a 1975 album that soundtracks the film. This would be during Earth, Wind & Fire's (EWF) fourth lineup, and arguably the most successful one. This was still before Let's Groove, Boogie Wonderland, or their undeniable hit September, but you could tell they were bonafide masters of the groove at this point. I'm not so keen on the ballads here, but I was never a ballad guy anyway. Just good vibes all-around. Worth noting that the success from this album is what allowed EWF to add on the Phenix Horns, a brass section that would be famous for their contributions to EWF from here on out. This album is a great starting point for EWF's discography, as the early stuff can be a lot to sort through, and you get a real sense of evolution with this group from here on out.

Meh

Earth Wing & Fire are a pretty classic band. This was alright

Smooth, funky, laden with disco strings. Good for a Friday night perhaps.

Enjoyable. Fun and upbeat.

Better than I expected

groovy but not special

Enjoyed this, especially all the breaks that found another life sampled on other tracks. Not usually my thing and I really need to give this another few listens to decide between 3 or 4 stars

This was fine. I was a little underwhelmed, however, I expected each song to be as groovy as their most popular tracks, but a good amount of the songs on here were just not that good. But the tracks that are good, are very solid.

solid, funky, epic band, 3,5

Good album - not their most memorable and few classics here

Ca s’ecoute bien mais c’est tres bonbon. J’ai aimé 3.5

Good Band of Soul and Funky. I remember his hit "September".

Pretty good. The vocals are really nice. Not sure that I'll come back to this one over other Earth, Wind & Fire albums, but this is still pretty good. Highlights: 1, and 2.

Funky soul, slightly too much on the sickly sweet romantic side for me.

Average rating - funky, inoffensive.

Middle of the road album with some good hits, and some trash. The high pitch falsetto is just really not my bag. But the funk and harmony digs deep. Luckily these tend to be the two types of songs, so they're on different tracks. Africano is the hit here, but you wouldn't know it by the obscenely long and unlistenable intro. Fast forward until the funk drops. The lead track Shining Star is the other track that can boogie. Normally I'm a fan of albums that mix it up, some faster some slower tracks, but, the slower ones here just aren't any good and by the time you suffer through them you've ruined the mediocre tracks that pass the time to the next hit. This isn't really an album you could listen to beginning to end, but it does have some value if you snipe out what you like about them.

It was aite. That first track is bussin' yo

Fun, funky, upbeat good times all around.

A soundtrack? Cool! No idea Earth, Wind & Fire scored a film. I associate them with upbeat, soulful dance numbers, but there's a good amount of depth here as well. Fav track: Shining Star, Africano

A bit of a mixed bag, but Shining Star is easily worth the price of admission. For once, I feel like a track could actually benefit from being even longer! This album contributes to my impression that Earth, Wind, & Fire might ultimately be more of a singles band for me, though. The ballads are mostly interminable, but there's some highlights sprinkled throughout that I enjoyed a lot. Fave tracks: Shining Star, Africano, Yearnin' Learnin', Reasons

Great!

Mezcla de soul y música disco. Buenos ritmos. Divertido de escuchar

Love some Earth, Wind & Fire. key word some

Funky but a little over the top at times - the ultra-extreme falsetto, wacky electronica interludes, the spoken word bits. Not my favorite so far in this genre

Bleh

Good album, not the best. Only two or three song that worth it.

Shining Star and That's the Way of the World are absolute bangers. After that, it falls a bit with a variety of funk/soul tracks that groove but are missing a killer hook.

Heerlijke disco en soortgelijk, prima jima

Саундтрек одноименного фильма 1975 года с Харви Кейтелем. Соул фанк группа. С альбома понравились: Shining Star, Africano, See The Light. Моя субъективная оценка - 3+.

70’s soul disco

I do like the sound. Smooth, evocative. Beautiful vocals. Not something I would listen to a lot, but has it's place. Favorite song, hands down, is "Africano" (at 1:15 in). For me, this made the album. But I am always a sucker for a nice sax sound.

Smooth, very listenable, unmemorable.

Pari ihan jees funk-tykittelyä, ja outoilua joka on paikoin toimivaa, paikoin ei.

70-luvun poppis/funk, niin osasi odottaa, ettei taso välttämättä säily avaushittien jälkeen. Ehkä silti vähän petyin keskiosan siirappisuuteen. Mutta pari ekaa biisiä todella kovia ja Africano hyvää fiilistelyä.

right up there with all the other good funk albums.

Fun album, but I think there are probably better EW&F offerings. I feel like it could have been more up beat/dancy. 3/5

love Earth Wind and Fire. just an average album I'd say but I would listen to it again.

Had a good jolly dance to this while cooking!

Not bad, but not reallly my style

I thought it was pretty decent. I think the instrumentals were pretty good and the lyrics as well. Unfortunately I thought many of the songs lacked a solid, unique melody though. 5/10

Nothing special but only had it on as background music

gezellig !!

Kan ik wel van genieten, vooral ook op de achtergrond

3/5, decent soul

The clear and straightforward arrangements, the lush harmonies, the high falsetto voices, the humanitarian-populist lyrics characterise Shining Star. But that's pretty everything for that album... (6/10) FT: Shining Star, That's The Way Of The World

Funky yet cheesy. Quite liked the instrumental Africano. Worth a listen.

I knew the first song Shining Star - very famous. But the other songs seemed more experimental and nothing really stood out to me. I typically love this sort of 70s music, but I wasn't really feeling it.

A great album that just doesn't align with my musical tastes enough to warrant a higher rating

Not bad, some interesting beats and rhythms

Not as heavy on the disco vibes as I was was expecting - just some smooth funky soul. I would have preferred a few more upbeat tracks. The title track is more top pick, but I think the whole album has a nice flow that would be great for some background litening.

Not bad, but not significant

Good soulful music that's nice and at times was pretty enjoyable. Liked the title track but as whole it wasn't that memorable.

Shining star is the easy bop to single out but it’s all good shit

Was OK. Was probably expecting a bit more. Scrapes a three.

Was ok. Not a huge fan of just the instrumental songs. But a handful of funk.

Groovy Captain Planet-based fun.

<yawn> Ok, a bit unfair. However. My introduction to EW&F was thru unscheduled interstitial on NTA2 Channel 5 (if you know, you know) - snippets of a TV Special hosted by Natalie Cole. The costumes. The hair. The unbridled exuberance. Next to that, this is like Protestant church music. My argument is that six albums in or not, they hadn’t quite found their metier. Thank the heavens they did.

Most of this was okay. Not really my thing, but listenable with some good grooves. There were a couple of songs with a really high, shrill lead vocal that grated on my nerves, but overall this is not great but also not bad. 3 stars.

This sure brings me back. Wow. Listening to it all the way through makes me realize how much air play this album got for years and years. I didn't know I knew these songs so well -- hadn't heard them in a mighty long time -- and as the album played through it all came back. It was fun to hear these songs again. All so very catchy. It's not likely I'd come back to listen to it, but it's good stuff.

3.5 | Me recordó un poco al disco de ELO, no en el aspecto musical sino en el lado de que al ponerlo se siente por completo y emblemático plantado en los 70s. Disco tremendamente bien producido, mucha calidad musical, calidad vocal; las canciones obviamente ninguna con ningún mensaje profundo ni nada cercano pero no pretenden serlo. Funk/soul y R&B excelente. No me llega a llenar tanto más quizá porque hay demasiado R&B, se va un poco más al lado lento y meloso de las canciones que al más movido y despierto, lo cual de manera personal me cansó un poquito; llegó al punto que se me hizo un poco largo a pesar de que realmente no lo es, no llega a 40 minutos pero las canciones, a pesar de ser muy buenas, hicieron que se sienta un poco lento. Buena música, buen disco, no es algo que pusiera completo de nuevo, hay canciones sin duda que sacarle.

Esperaba más de Earth Wind & Fire, cuando vi que era o que nos tocaba. Aunque tiene momentos agradables, creo que en general no es tan entretenido y no tiene las conocidas, por el contrario tiene algo de funk, que no está mal, pero mucho de ese sexy RB que no me gusta.

Didn't jump out at me much but I did enjoy it

Good if you like that sort of thing

один из лучших их Альбомов у них

Overall a bit slow for me

Earth, Wind & Fire's sixth album was actually created as the soundtrack to a movie from 1975 of the same name. The movie bombed so the band had released this album before the movie's premiere. This album was popular at release - topping the Top 200 albums chart, and having a single top the Billboard Hot 100 Singles - then eventually being certified triple platinum. This album was also released before the band's most famous song "September", but one can argue that this album put the band on everyone's radar. EWF have a signature sound that almost anyone can love, combining genres of funk, soul, R&B, disco, pop, jazz, and Afro-pop. I'm glad I was able to listen to some of this band's earlier work, and I agree with the statement from Rolling Stones that this is the make out music of the gods!

Funky

Lots to love here. Better than anything from Firth, Wynn, and Meyer. 3.5.

I have heard a few songs from Earth, Wind & Fire, but never a whole album. If the whole album was like "Shining Star" (a classic I know) and "Africano" (a new favorite for me), this album would easily get 4 stars from me. Songs like "All About Love", with it's spoken intro, and "Reasons", with falsetto singing that I had a hard time appreciating, got lower ratings individually. Still, the album was good enough for a listen from me.

Not bad

Хмм, что-то грувовое, какой-то фанк с диско. Обычно такое не слушаю, но грув люблю. Shining Star - трубы красиво звучат, бас крутой. Похоже на Jamiroqai, точнее Джемираквае скорее на них похожи, ибо эпохи всё таки разные. That's The Way Of The World - реверберация на вокале прямо таки откидывает тебя в эпоху 80-х. Слишком весёлая музыка для меня, возможно зайдёт для фона. Хотя All About Love (First Impression) мне пока нравится, меланхоличная песня с интересной аранжировкой. Воу, какая глючная концовка, мне нравится! Вцелом очень приятная музыка, оптимистичная. ------ Буду ли я переслушивать данный альбом? ОЧЕНЬ ВРЯД ЛИ

Good album…. Great dancing music

Nice! Wonder what happened to air? Always enjoyed these elemental guys. This album has some great, recognizable jams, especially Shining Star. Groovy and enjoyable. Quick and easy listen, not too spectacular overall but a good album nonetheless. Favorite tracks: Shining Star, That's the Way of the World, Reasons. Album art: Very plain band photo. This seems like a "greatest hits"-style cover, which isn't a compliment. Certainly not their best work. 3.5/5

"Africano" slaps

Bueno

Sopiva levy viimeiseen työpäivään ennen lomaa. Hyvä ja rento fiilis vaikka tuskin enää koskaan uusiksi kuuntelen.

Menevää ja mukaansatempaavaa

Love the vibes of this album, but would have to be in a very specific mood to enjoy it

ok

This was a good Album but nothing unexpected or revolutionary. It was very funky but in a commercial way. I wanted more grit.

Shining Star is a classic soul song. Very funky, exactly what I expect from the best soul band ever.

"Shining Star" and "Africano" are great songs, mostly for different reasons. The rest of the album is fine, but not great.

Good, really liked the first song

Funky, fresh and upbeat. Found myself a little fatigued on some songs that have found their way to ad campaigns but more power to them. May not come back for another full listen for a while but still enjoyed it today

3.5

chill

Now THIS is what I am talking about when we say great albums. Gets a bit preachy around 'All About Love' but very much fits with the crunchy granola theme of the album. A GREAT wedding album, really can see this being played at your Aunt Junes second wedding to a guy called Kevin who no-one really likes but he owns like three used car garages so can fund Junes vape addiction. During the wedding Kevin is caught in an interesting position with a bridesmaid and June spends the whole night next to the open bar. A strong Jazz end to the album leaves me with nightmares of Miles Davis.

1) good 2) favourite 3) least favourite so far but still good 4) love the instrumental - hate the ending (number 3 so far) 5) reasons is good 7) oh boy the endings of some of these feel like the worst drug trip 6.5 out of 10

Some good and funky tunes here. Africano was my personal favourite. I like how Earth, Wind and Fire are an absolute melting pot of soul, jazz, funk and a bunch of other genres.

yeah so there’s one bop

Better than I expected. Decent jams

*dança com o tronco e mexendo os bracinhos*

Разный около-фанк

This started out really good, but then turned kinda meh. Some standout moments and good, interesting parts, but also some pretty bad parts (All about Love and See The Light in particular). Good to hear this album once, since I don't know much about funk, but won't actively listen to it again.

A frustrating album. Structured ina. Way that doesn’t allow it to flow or really catch fire. Could have been a 4, probably should have been a 2, but I’m gonna go with a 3 based on the strength of the better tracks

Great funk and soul, too many religious references though.

It ain't September but it is good fun

3.5/5 some groovy sounds, it may has potential

i'm a funk baby

Funk nice and early in the morning! It's crazy to think about how many of these songs I know, but never knew it was this band. Overall, the original band of funk doing its original funk thing.

Sinänsä taidokasta soitantaa ja laulantaa klassikkobändiltä, mutta ei niin puhuttele juuri minua. Tällä levyllä ei ole myöskään sellaisia bilebändien veivaamia tunnettuja partybiisejä. Laulajalla taitaa olla vähän liian kireät housut, kun lähtee niin korkealta tuo laulu. :)

Decent enough

I can appreciate the virtuosity and polish of this band and the level of craft within this album - "Shinin' Star", "Reasons" and other tracks have clearly endured. It simply doesn't suit my taste. I associate this sound with wedding music - not necessarily a bad thing, just not what I find exciting personally.

I like the funky uptempo tracks, especially the jazzy ones, but not the soul ballads. EW&F have more anthemic tracks than these.

Catchy and varied - feel good vibes.

Funky, funky.

Starts off with a bang with Shining Star, mellows out with That's the way of the world, gets funky with Happy Feelin' so hey I'm thinking this album has some bangers, could be a classic, could it be 4 stars? But then it gets weighed down by the saccharine goop of All about love. But then Reasons shows that slow soul songs can still have redeeming qualities. The rest is ok, so overall this is a 3 from me.

It’s a good album within its genre, but just not a genre I would listen to for an entire album.

Disco, yeah... Buen disco, pero sin algaracas

love oldies

achja passt scho - 3

Pretty good. 6/10

Not funky enough

Definitely dancing music in the 1970s, Africans is crazy groovy. Not too cohesive as an “album” but still enjoyable (3.5)

I was excited to listen to this, but it didn’t hit me like I thought it would

I love Earth, Wind & Fire and was glad to see this album show up the day after Al Green. The album was just okay, though, I really only like a couple of the songs, and most of the rest are slow and boring like the Al Green stuff yesterday

This was only alright

Starts with a bang of the hit track. Very pretty, not scared of being different and changing vibes.

3.5

Enjoyable listen and a few recognisable tracks

Too many instrumentals but otherwise fun and feel-good.

Dance my way through the morning

Kylläpäs tässäkin levyssä mentiin laidasta laitaan. Balladit olivat pääosin erinomaisia, ja tulikin mieleen että tämä on varmasti ollut vaikutteena esim. Lenny Kravitzin rauhallisimpiin kappaleisiin. Erityismaininta Reasonsille, todella hieno ja tunnelmallinen kappale. Toisaalta monet menevämmät biisit olivat aika yhdentekeviä ja jopa rasittavaa kuunneltavaa.

This was a lot of fun but ultimately a bit too much.

Groovey stuff.

Decent but just not my type of music and too rythmic

Some fantastic tracks but not all consistent.

solid

Unbeliavable mix of genres on a single album, but not something you can listen on daily basis

Pretty good. Most of the music I like is inspired by this stuff but Its not my favorite.

3.5

lowkey kinda boring

This was not for me.

Not a bad album, just not for me at all

A great good-feeling band. Always made the times better!

I mean, we all love shining star, but I’ve never listened to the album in full. VERY 70’s, monologues mid-song and all. The middle of the album didn’t excite me, personally. BUT the last 2 songs were great! Africano is an instrumental masterpiece

Turns out maybe I don't like funk that much...? Boring.

Había arrancado mejor que el disco anterior que escuché. Muy buen primer tema. Después empezó a decaer para mi gusto y no me terminó convenciendo tanto.

album #119 i simply did not care for it that much. groovy bass lines though. ꩜ average track rating: 2/5 ꩜ favourite track(s): yearnin' learnin' ꩜ least favourite track(s): reasons ꩜ album rating: ★★☆☆☆ ꩜ number of albums left to review: 970 ꩜ number of albums from the list that i agree with being on the list: 53 ꩜ albums from the list that I would consider on my list: 24 ꩜ albums from the list I won't include on my list: 95

Earth, Wind, Fire, and ……Poop

meh décevant

Нормас движуха, но ухо ни за что не цепляется.

I don't rate this album very high. Way to slick for my liking and even the hits on this album are not among their best. They certainly are good musicians but this album lacks the adventure and energy to make it the thriling album it should have been.

Started with one of the most legendary opening riffs and stayed pretty funky throughout. The slow songs dragged a bit, sadly.

Smooth £0s vibe

Nope.

It‘s interesting for sure, just not for me. Very jazzy, very funky, most songs are slow paced and only some are faster paced. I liked listening to it, but i doubt i‘ll give it a listen again.

I can appreciate that this is good, it's just not for me. Did not have any of their tracks that I would be familiar with either. 2

paar Abschnitte klangen ganz cool, aber nicht so sehr mein Geschmack songs like happy feelin' are too maximalist for me I guess? see the light schon wieder (dolle) Mario kart vibes?

what if we combine jazz and disco? yeah, what if...

Falsetto funk

My feelings about this album (before listening): I'm not familiar with the soul genre at all, so I have no idea what this album is going to be like!! (I haven't heard anything about this band or album either) About cover: It's cool tho. But that part on the left side, where the hands stick out, is a bit bad look. I think the font are also beautiful. But it is not among the iconic covers! (Respectfully) ____________ After listening: I realized something important, I don't like soul music very much! Honestly, it was very difficult for me to listen to this album, I don't know why (!), but it was. I think it's just not for me. The songs I liked were Africano, Reasons and See the Light.

All fillers no bangers

2.3 2x not my style

Songs went on way too long and they weren't that great to begin with. I found the talking just annoying as when I'm listening to music, I want to hear music and not someone talking even if there is music behind it, worst song: "All About Love". tentative best song: "Yearnin' Learnin'". Not a big fan.

Fine. Sometimes It’s a blurry line between poppy r&b and smooth jazz. It all sounds a bit cheesy.

I liked the singles this group produced over the years, but sadly I got a bit bored by the end of the album.

I don't really understand this, I know some Earth, Wind & Fire and I am aware of much stronger material than this. It sounds a bit town down to me, it's not the fun I would want out of it, and therefor I find it a bit boring to be honest. The songs are quite long and not in a necessary fashion, and I don't think they are that creative. I don't know, may be I'm missing out, but this one was not for me..

Unremarkable. Fine music, talented musicians, but nothing too special for my taste.

Because it’s not something I really listened to prior to listening through these 1001 albums, I didn’t adequately appreciate how broad funk is. It’s less a genre than it is a whole style of music. However, like most styles of music, there are going to be iterations I like more than others, and Earth, Wind and Fire are on the softer end of it, and I like my music to be heavier. There are some okay moments in here but it’s not my thing. Didn’t hate it, don’t feel a need to go back to it.

If you like this type of music it’s quite good. I don’t. 2.5

Great album! Love E,W& F.

Close to 3 stars

Das is mir alles viel zu sülzig.

Ziemlich trivial.

Some funky songs but a lot of corny songs too

I’ve had an uptick over the last few years in my interest in Earth, Wind and Fire. I have been mostly pleased with my listens, especially a great live set from 1973 on YouTube. That’s the Way of the World sends me back to my original feelings about them. They have the occasionally amazingly catchy, at times funky, song, but too many tracks that do not fit my style. “Shining Star” obviously fits the first part of that description. I also enjoyed several songs where EWF let the percussion fly, such as “Africano” and “Yearnin and Learnin.” They had much to hold my interest musically. The ballads fell flat. The worst was “All About Love”, which had the singer talking as he lectured about love. I am sure millions love their chorus of alto and falsetto voices that appear on many tracks. I have never found this style appealing. I yearned to hear the bass and baritone vocals the Temptations would employ with Melvyn Franklin and Otis Williams, gosh even David Ruffin’s tenor would add some balance. Lyrically and musically too many of the songs offer platitudes and bland sounds. I rarely found myself engaged, rather I became somewhat annoyed with their songs.

2,5

A half decent house band could match this. They'd do even better if they skipped the soul ballads altogether

I didnt love this and am surprised I didnt. Nothing stood out to me about this album and it didnt excite me as much some of their other work. Less boogie-able than Boogie Wonderland (obviously)

not my cup of tea

I enjoyed the more upbeat, funky songs, but felt some of the slower, soulful songs dragged on a bit and at times it was just a bit too disco for me. Overall, it was enjoyable enough, but it’s just not really for me and I can't see myself returning to this album as a whole.

Nothing special at all and not something I would really listen to again. It was just alright 70s soul.

Way too chill. 2.5

cool one

Not for me.

Delightfully colorful with solid grooves and wonderful harmonies. Probably something I will only grab once for in its entirety and cherry pick the classics. Definitely something my mom would slow dance drunk to.

Was not a fan

2 pisenka juz mnie wkurwia nw czy przebrne orzez calosc 3 tez ssie dalej wcale nie jest lepiej wkurwia mnie to

It was too oldie for me

As an album it’s very skippable.

Torn on this one. If I could do 2.5 stars, that's what I'd probably do. Has a couple good songs, but it's just ok to me.

It's mid-70s funk. It's okay, I suppose. There was a lot of this around in the 1970s. I would skip EWF on Top Of The Pops (for a trip to the kitchen to get a Tupperware beaker of cherryade) whilst waiting for something I liked to come on. I appreciate it more now, but would never play this by choice. The upbeat funky tracks get three stars. The slowies one star. Averaging out at two stars.

Funky!

first time intentionally sitting down to listen to Earth, Wind & Fire. 70's soul/lite funk. there are much better representatives of this out there IMO, but respect.

Pleasant easy listening From a group who can do better.

bland

Some good songs, others annoying

#94/1001 🇺🇸 I wanted to like this more than i did. My favourite track was an instrumental, this tells me that it was his falsetto vocals that i'm struggling with. Best Tracks: Africano, That's the Way of the World.

Was digging the first song and thinking "Maybe I've never given EW&F a fair chance. Then things slowed, the funk fell away, and there were some dull songs. Soul songs that just don't touch upon my soul.

Decent funky instrumentation with occasional bouts of brass and piano adding some welcome flavour. Vocally, however, I can't contend with this. "Africano" was, by far, the standout as it's just an instrumental bop.

interesting

This is just an album about hugging and kissing for people who only like Schoolhouse Rock

Kuuntelin töissä mutta ei kyl jäänyt mieleen kuin pari kivan groovyy kohtaa.

Its disco, its fun, but there's nothing really special about this album. Can really only remember one song that stuck with me.

groovy but I wouldnt listen

Me gusto, no es algo que sea imposible de escuchar, al contrario es bastante movido para tener de fondo, pero aun asi no logre conectar, no es un género y sonidos que elija escuchar.

Gaat alle kanten op

It's not the song

Really only liked the first song, production was good though

Fun

A really fun album to listen to. The only problems I had were the soul numbers, and that's not on the band, that's on me, it's just a type of music I never got into. But, would happily listen to the album again!

Как-то без огонька

Funky with good harmonies but found that the songs weren't very memorable for me

bored

Not for me

I gave it a shot, but they really aren't my cup of tea.

Well, there’s some strong musicianship on here, but I don’t dig the disco vibes. Not terrible, but not my favorite.

Did not care for this one unfortunately, tried listening to it twice while running some errands and I never had a „wow that’s good!“ moment, so I guess it was okay background music but nothing more

Alt ligg jo til rette for at æ skal like det her, men æ klare bare ikke. Lagra ikke én sang. Har faktisk enda ikke hørt en EWF-sang æ like🧐 Trur kanskje æ like «In The Stone»

In its favour, this is quite diverse in terms of tempo and energy, opening with an upbeat number, but with some reflective moments, like Reasons, and a flute-filled interlude on Africano, before it enters funk territory. On the whole though, perhaps not my thing.

I can enjoy funk/funk-based music, but usually only when it’s quite ‘hard’. EW&F’s album is way too polished and syrupy for my tastes.

I feel bad rating this a 2 but it just didn’t do anything for me! Shining Star was fun but the rest of the first side was just tooooo smooth, nothing interesting for me to grab onto. The second half was an improvement. It deserves its place on this list but just didn’t excite me at all.

bof. 01/02/2026

Groovy, everything I imagine the 70s to be. Not really my vibe though. 2.5/5

Nothing really stood out to me and not my favorite genre.

Only half

Mostly inoffensive disco music, was nearly a 3 but too many cheesy tracks after halftime ⭐⭐

Like the band but the album not so much.

Sexy times with Earth, Wind & Fire. I like the funkiness and flute on "Africano." The rest doesn't do much for me.

They definitely have a great sound. I can see why they are loved by many, just not what gets me moving though 2.5 stars

Funk, disco-y and pure 70s. It’s probably considered great for the genre, but I really really don’t like the genre.

2.5/5 fun but similar songs to each other - they have a sound they follow religiously great opening song similar to bee gees sound doesn’t tell a consecutive story through the songs, more so a list of songs in a row

Wow, what a banger of an album! I heard a lot about the band, but it's my first time listening to their album from start to finish. Now, I understand why everyone loves them.

volevo troppo che mi piacesse

Meh 🫤 niet mijn ding

Not really my cup of tea. I'm sure there is a time and place where this would fit perfectly though..

Smooth funk and disco. I’m a fan of Prince and can see he was probably influenced by this band as well as others like Sly and the Family Stone. Listenable and enjoyable with a positive message that is so needed today. Solid 3.

It's all a bit dated, just nothing there to want me to listen again

Funky