Reviews (page 8 of 14)
The music is rather good, a nice blend of soul and funk, but I don't like a single song on the album. Two stars is too harsh, but I don't feel it's good enough for three.
Fun funky soul, I think there is better Earth Wind & Fire though. Outside of shining star nothing is too astounding
tror jag uppskattar genren i helhet men detta är oerhört ointressant på typ alla sätt
Lät väl ganska bra!
begon als funky disco... daarna verwaterde de formule wat
Good funk and soul album.
A gdzie ich największy hit? Nie na tej płycie! Ogólnie jest to bardzo przyjemna muzyka. Taka z zaśpiewem, lekkim funkiem, przyjemnym rytmem. Do potańczenia, relaksu, raczej nie do głębszych przemyśleń. Idealna na słoneczny dzień albo gorączkę sobotniej nocy. 7/10
I love this genre, but I was bored. Can't help it.
Groovy. I enjoyed the listen, not something I'll go back to often but EW&F are undeniably great in their genre! 4.5
Really happy to see something from Earth, Wind & Fire from the list. Really brings up the mood when listening to. The sound of this sits perfect, but I perhaps expected the track list to be a bit stronger. Right in the middle between a 3 and a 4 for me, but the supposed hit songs from this weren't as good as I expected, and it felt like it lacked punch overall. Still, I'd much more listen to this than some of my other 3 star albums, so a weak 4 feels correct.
A while back we had "Simple Red" and I noted I really disliked pop soul. This is the real deal though. Funky, soulful and a fun listen. I've spent most of my weekend listening to this. Perfect for parties, perfect for background music, just a fan overall. Best track is the opening "Shining Star" but I think but the whole album is good. My only gripe is there are no particular singles that really stand out.
This really isn't my type of music, but it's a solid album. Weirdly, and I think for the first time in over 900 albums, this one is too short. I'm giving it a 4, but it's probably my weakest 4 so far.
This is fine example of "if you've heard one Soul album you've heard them all". 'Shining Star' is okay. 'Happy Feelin' is okay. The rest of the album likely won't get a second listen from me.
This album has it all - funky bass, funky guitar, just funky everything. Cheesy lyrics and overblown vocals, but suits the whole vibe.
catchy, great to do homework to, very much so also a morning album
Pretty darn good
Happy feelin' is such a good vibe. Africano is SO FUNKY. YES. Shining Star is a classic.
I'd never heard most of this. I didn't like the ballads, but most of it is worth listening to again.
Was not expecting all that kalimba on the album. It didn't win me over on the first listen but by listen 2-3 I was up to 4 stars
Yearnin' learnin' is a banger. Super catchy, very re-listenable. Happy Feelin' too. The other ones were all nice. If someone played them on a car ride, say, I'd not ask them to change it. But I wouldn't play it myself. Yearnin' learnin' and Happy feelin' are 5/5. Shining star is 4/5. The rest are 3/5 for me.
Not my preferred music genre
Great classic from EWF
Good
Infectious. Groovy.
A couple of brilliant tracks that set the day up nicely, a fair bit of filler though
Shit's fire Fun, energetic, emotional. Totally replayable, listened to it 3 times in a row, and never was i bored. Top
I dig this a lot. 4.5 stars.
Most EW&F I've listened to before this is a lot more pop-funk, so it's nice that this album leans into soul & funk. 1st 3 songs had a very similar feel so the 4th being more jazz was a welcome change.
Really nice harmonies from a pioneering disco group.
01/04/25 Another album I have listened to before, another album I have enjoyed.
Groovy, aber nicht die allerbesten Lieder der Band
Solid.
Just killer from start to finish
Soulful sound but only 1 or 2 standout songs. Maybe not genre?
Says 1970's. Does not really stand the test of time.
Its good, but not sure I love it Worth finding on vinyl? Maybe need more listens 3/5
Fun groovy album. Definitely some better EWF albums but this was a fun one
I'm not surprised this album is as good as it is. Earth, Wind, and Fire is definitely a band that knows how to throw down. I can't give it 5 stars because there were a couple songs that were too weird and off-putting, such as "All About Love (First Impression)". I can accept one "auto-skip" on a masterpiece, but not more than one. Other than a couple total duds for me, this was so soulful in places, so funky in others. I loved it.
I appreciate Michael Harriot's comments on this album in the first chapter of Black AF History. I agree with his uncle Junior: "...Earth, Wind & Fire albums should only be played in their purest form, from beginning to end." Love, love, love.
I don't even gotta listen this is a 5/5 I love this shit. Obviously I'm still gonna listen to it cause I'm just too groooOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooooooovy baby. All About Love and Reasons are probably my favorite on the album, but overall this album is a hit and a bop and an all around top. I am lost in the funk
ive heard better soul
Great disco/soul. I enjoyed the first half alot. The second half was a little less my speed though.
A good listen, especially as background music
I've spent many hours trying to hit the high notes on Reasons, and I always have fun doing it. Truly one of the best soul/funk albums ever released. It's criminal that this album is their only inclusion on this list. I Am should be on here too.
🤩
Not a fan
Man this album is just too good. Opening with Shining Star feels like cheating because it's such a well known song, but I've never really paid attention to the music of it, and it is a truly special song. The bass is going crazy in the chorus and I'm glad it came up here. I loved pretty much everything here, with Happy Feelin' as another standout. Also shoutout to A Love Supreme, as the main riff from that shows up at the end of Africano, and I never would have known without this journey.
Amazing playing, great funky jams and experimental jaunts. Extremely fun and listenable.
Ok started off funky but lost me a little as the record went on
Short, sweet, funky, soulful, romantic, inspiring and cheerful.
Did not like. This music does nothing for me.
Perfectly enjoyable
Not for me. 1/5
Pretty funk and proggy at parts I liked it but not.my.fav from earth wind and.fire
Feelsgoodman
Decent album
macht Spaß, auch ohne einen der großen Hits
I’m a funk fan, and the first track is a classic banger. The rest of the album is well choreographed and crafted. But I found myself really not in the mood for the slow jazzy songs that make up most the album. Shining Star = Great. Rest of the album is 2/5.
Fav: That’s The Way Of The World Least Fav: All About Love (First Impression) As someone who only knew their big hits, this was a nice surprise
Tight as a ducks. Uberfunk. Who'd bank on a bunch of old jazzers knocking it out of the park?
Great band but not my style
6.5/10 Jazzy soul & R&B with African influences. Not always viscerally thrilling, but really well but together and performed. Layered vocals were excellent, as was the vibraphone-sounding instrument Best: Reasons
7.5/10
3.5
3.0
Definitely some cool bipity bops. Gravitated more to the upbeat tunes, SHINING STAR and AFRICANO
Nothing special
Didn’t really captivate me but not bad
I love Shining Star and a few others
Oh hell yes. Good for bopping about and hoovering
great tunes for doing housework, though i have to admit i probably wouldn’t be able to pick any of these songs out of a lineup even having just listened to it.
Started very strong. Lost my interest a bit in the middle. Africano was back to the funk that I enjoyed. But the lull in the middle kinda ruined the fun.
EARTH WIND AND FIRE YYAYAYAYAYAYA
Coming in strong with Lizzie McGuire Movie soundtrack bops.
Loveee Earth, Wind & Fire!! September is my fave song by them so it was nice to hear others.
This is brilliant. Few noodly bits and a couple of slightly lesser tracks, but on the whole it's a great listen. Disavowed me of the idea that Earth, Wind & Fire were just a singles band. You can hear bits and certain intonations that must have been an influence on Prince.
3.375
honestly a great album front to back funky soulful and good sounding and well produced and makes me feel positive energy's 8/10
Not sure I would have picked this one and not 1978's "The Best Of Earth, Wind & Fire Vol.1", but the run of albums by Maurice White and Co. in the mid-1970s rules supreme. A funky Wonderland you want to stay in forever.
I mean, they’re timeless for a reason! Enjoyed the listening experience from start to finish - some of the best soul music I’ve ever come across.
Ca commence par de la funk très classique, puis ça part un peu dans tous les sens. Tout n'est pas parfait, mais ça donne souvent envie de sortir son meilleur déhanché.
Fun and funky with some unexpected soul. Only real criticism is that “All about love” had a strange production choice at the end where it sounded like the song was over and then it went back into the opening instrumental again for no reason. It would make sense if the intro but was an intro track and then this was the last track of the album and it was appearing to all start over but it didn’t make sense in the middle of the album. The track isn’t strong enough to be an opener so overall placement makes sense, I would have done away with the outro/intro revisit though.
I'm deeply amused that this album was born the same year I was, and I loved it.
I think I enjoy smooth soul music
smoother Sound der runtergeht wie Butter
War mir zuviel Sopran und nervige Geräusche. Trotzdem funky. 3 Sterne, Gruß und Kuss
EWF is a fun band. So I think that some don’t give them the credit they deserve for being a good band. A little Funk a little soul. Excellent harmonies and solid musicianship.
Dance-floor funk, with intervals of smooth R&B. Happy Feelin' & Africano.
And if there ain't no beauty, you got to make some beauty. Have mercy!
This was pretty fun. Started strong but I was less into it as it went on.
Everything about this is great. I could have done with a shorter version of See the Light, and without the weird synthesizer though 4
Catchy tunes with deeper lyrics than I would’ve expected.
sultry
YAWHHHH YEA!
Happy funk, with a mostly positive message. Sorely missed.
4 maybe 5
I did not use a private session for Spotify. There is a reason why "Earth, Wind & Fire" is played at every wedding reception I have ever been to, and that reason it's a lot of fun. It's fun, it's funky, and gets white people to dance.
sewwww good
1001 albums taught me I love funk. The joy, pleasure, and soul motivate me in ways these British bands could never.
Groovy 3.5
Groovy Bit Boring
No.
Альбом не запоминается, но и не раздражает совсем. Довольно неплохо звучит.
It's hard not to picture most of these songs being played during a 70s disco, especially since funk was mainstream then. Too much gospel singing for me and I'm not usually a big fan of soul/funk music, but there are some fun beats sprinkled throughout the album.
3.5
2.5/5
Good album from famous band. 3.5/5
Overall, it's an interesting listen but doesn't quite hit the hights of my expectations because the album feels uneven in some places.
This wasn't so much soul as some funk/Rn'B combination and I liked it more than Al Green, but still not enough for a 4. The first half of the album - fresher, more playful and funkier. The second half, and especially the last 2 songs pushed it more towards soul, and even with elements of jazz, I would say. But only 8 songs and 38 minutes, easy to listen to, feel good again... And again 3/5
Не понял
Fantastic. Feel good music.
Наудивление мелодичная и приятная уху соул музыка.
Sakadika con las lentejas
muy bimba y lola muy señors
Kind of what I expected. I imagine if you were of a formative age when this was released, it’s probably pretty magical and brings back a flood of nostalgia. Alas, I am not of that age. So although I recognize it as a sweet, good time, it doesn’t really grab me. I think it’s good, for what it is, but not exceptional.
Compared to Parliament, it's just a level higher. I listened to it on repeat twice. Great groove, it lifts your mood instantly.
insane grooves
Like a velvet robe
BANGER AFTER BANGER AFTER BANGER!!! The instrumentals were crazy! That ariel under the water like shaking percussion idfk THAT WAS MIND ALTERING
Kind of disappointing after shining star. Got less funky and more jazzy which I don’t like.
I liked the majority of this album. It had some variety and a couple of classic funk and R&B songs.
I’m not much of a soul guy so it was a bit surprising how pleasant it was
This kind of music just really isn't my jam. It's too much lovey dovey feel good type music. Just not my vibe. Musically it's fine, they sound fine. Falsetto is a little much and a little too often. Plus side album isn't very long.
strong start.....then kinda lost focus a bit.
Classic soul music. Great vibes and good music. Not an everyday listen for me but when you get in the mood nothing beats this classic sound.
Another album evoking nostalgia of Seventies childhood. I enjoyed the first side but the second one has a few tracks that altered the mood.
Groupe connu par quelques tubes qui passaient beaucoup à la radio dans les années 80, mais je n'avais jamais écouté un album complet. Cet album est un peu plus ancien, je ne connais aucun des morceaux. Bons grooves sur certains morceaux - j'ai bien aimé Africano et sa longue plage instrumentale, mais les morceaux plus lents sont assez ennuyeux. =>2/5
So so good
This was pretty good but I expected a little more upbeat dancy funk for some reason. I say solid 3.5 but goin down for me.
Honka honka burnin' luv 🎺
Cool
I usually listened to September by Earth, Wind & Fire, this one is definitively not as good as that but still has the vibes. I don't think there was a memorable song for me though.
I dig this a lot. 4.5 stars.
A great listen that clearly influenced a lot of what came after it. I really enjoyed the spoken word section on All About Love. Very Outkast.
Funky. Classic album so far (first three tracks) "Africano" fuckin rips. Easy and fun album to listen to.
Startin off with the stank, and then exploring the love. Powerful album with excellent musicianship.
Old school soul from EWF
Classic soul vibe
Sexy times with Earth, Wind & Fire. I like the funkiness and flute on "Africano." The rest doesn't do much for me.
Solid songs. High 3
i thought they were a one hit wonder band, but no. this is heat
Loved it - really soulful and great production
I mean, they are a timeless sound. How can I rate any lower?
I like Earth, Wind, and Fire, but I'm not sure if I would put this album into the 1001 best of all time. Some of the songs from it, but not the whole thing.
Digging it.
No está mal, música setenta negra
Schön entspannt
A fun album! No tracks that I know them for but fun nonetheless. Fun instrumentals and vocal work. 'Happy Feelin'' is my choice for a fave.
A delightful mixture of infectious boogying, expert balladry and dynamic jamming, That's the Way of the World is Earth, Wind & Fire operating at the peak of their powers. Anything that is wanted to be heard from the outfit is here and no one would feel left out by a lack of choice. A greatest hits album in all but name. Favorites: Shining Star, That's the Way of the World, Happy Feelin', Yearnin' Learnin', Africano.
When it’s good, It’s really good
-it was good, i dont think it was necessarily my type of music cuz it had a very r&b jazzy sorta sound to it. i still enjoyed listening to it -i think I liked shining star and that's the way of the world but I don't remember it too much so it would prob change on a relisten
прикольно.
some really fun bops! honestly so soured for me by working retail at a place that played this incessantly, but i still have love and respect for it!
Really like the jazz solos, songs like Africano Had real meaning
I really enjoyed this. Every so often I’d catch a riff that sounded modern and familiar and I’d be reminded of how influential this band was. Loved the big band element - it felt almost jazzy at points. Mostly have this three as I don’t want to peak too soon!
Everything I've ever heard from Earth, Wind, and Fire is groovy. It's no wonder this is one of the most sampled bands of all time.
Only know of the band through the hits. This album demonstrates a breath beyond them. Nothing exceptional but grooves along with infection.
4.0
Groovy as all hell - the musicianship is off the charts.
Funky
A bit disco and a bit soul. pretty good in both directions. lyrics are pretty bad and all sound the same. Favourite songs: that's the way of the world, yearnin', learnin', reasons, africano. Overall around 6/10
I've given this list a fair bit of shite but one positive thing it's done for me is introduce me into my liking for soul/funk music. The main reason why I like this stuff is the bass, and Verdine White is one of the best in the business. The vocals and the harmonies are good too. All round nice album
I can see now why September is the culmination of their output. I can't imagine ever having a need to listen to this again. Sounds like a parody Eddie Murphy would put out
Nice R&B album. Not particularly something I go for, but I am glad to be exposed to it.
Would listen again; damn this was fun; a well deserved round up from 3.5; favorites: shining star, africano
Pretty good.
Is fine.
Now this is a 5 star album for sure. Everything about it is phenomenal.
I remember this album cover from my neighbor's dad's collection when I was like in 4th grade. I was fascinated by their flashy look and coolness. I had a EWF tee-shirt by 1981, always liked their sound. Can't say I've listened to this album in its entirety until now. Opens with two huge hits in "Shining Star" (such a great intro!) and "That's The Way Of the World". It's a fun album with some great tracks, amazing horns, funkiness and a dance groove. "All About Love" was hard to listen to and doesn't stand up well at all today. But then you get to "Reasons" which is such a great ballad and you forget about the one or two weak tracks. While it wouldn't make my T1001 list I did enjoy it.
I liked! Loved finding sample origins also. Standout track: - Yearnin’ Learnin’ (4/5)
Nice
Love this stuff - shining star is a classic.
Pretty fun
Feel good funk music. 3.5 stars
пойдёт
Einige gute Tanzlieder.
Me gustó bastante. 9/10 Top 3. That’s the way of the world All about love See the light
Me decepcionó, cuando vi Earth Wind & Fire esperaba algo muchoooo mejor Calificación: 6
More soul than disco, not bad, but not for dancing.
Pure soul. Man, I dare you too try to not have this elevate your mood after "Shinnin Star". I listen to this genre and compare to what is excitable by today's standard, [i.e. hip hop, pop] and am like... "Why?" Do your ears and soul a favor and listen
Some funky tunes but not really my bag
Uplifting, joyous and life affirming. Only really knew the band from September but this is really special. I don't think one listen alone will cut it and look forward to revisiting. Hymns to life lived through music
Such a great one to start with. I really like this group. I’ve always like Shining Star and Reasons, but I discovered All About Love with this listen, and it’s incredible. A theme I noticed for this album was self-love, which is evident of course with Shining Star, but this was reinforced through All About Love. It’s a great message, and I don’t know a whole lot about the culture of this decade aside from aesthetics, but I was surprised that this was a theme for this time. Doesn’t seem like it was mainstream as far as I know. The sound is timeless for many of these tracks…I’d believe you if you said they were produced recently. I love the jazzy and big band/marching band undertones. It makes it fun and positive for tracks like Shining Star, but romantic for All About Love (even if it’s about self love too)
Good and some great, but not their best album.
Every song is good Peak funky soul Perfection
I can appreciate it, but its not my fav genre. Totally had a banger or two but even then I felt like you could take it in in one listen.
só fucking good. all types of different rhythm and grooves. Yearnin Learnin drums are fantastic
5/5 Shining Star's infectious optimism and groove begins the album with a short, sweet bang, before the title track is majestically chill. Happy Feelin' is just what is says on the tin, full of positivity, with great bass work, and All About Love is a touching ballad, with a real introspective talk which I love, and a fantastic synth-filled outro. The second side starts well with Yearnin' Learnin', before the falsetto dominated Reasons slaps. The movements of Africano are really great, and then See the Light finishes us off with a heavenly number. Overall this is an amazing, consistent but varied album. Shining Star 5/5 (FAV) That's the Way of the World 5/5 Happy Feelin' 5/5 All About Love (First Impression) 4.5/5 (LEAST FAV) Yearnin' Learnin' 4.5/5 Reasons 5/5 Africano 4.5/5 See the Light 5/5
Great album of soulful funk. These are some very talented musicians.
ой такие эти черномазики смешные
Inte min grej.
"That's the Way of the World" is the sixth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire. Soul, funk, progressive soul and pop. Yes, sir! The album was a soundtrack for a 1975 motion picture of the same name. It was produced by band leader Maurice White and Charles Stepney. The bandmembers included Maurice White (vocals, drums, kalimba, percussion), Philip Bailey (vocals, congas, percussion), Verdine White (vocals, bass, percussion), Ralph Johnson (drums, percussion), Fred White (drums, percussion), Andrew P. Willfully (saxophones, flute), AL McKay (guitar), Ralph Johnson (guitar) and Larry Dunn (Moog synth, piano, organ, keyboards). Commercially, the album stayed at #1 for three weeks on the US Billboard 200 and, critically, had mostly favorable reviews. The album opens with their #1 hit "Shining Star." Bass and guitar to blaring horns. The groove gets a going. Maurice and Bailey on lead vocals. Great vocal chorus. Maurice said he was inspired to right the song by looking at the sky during the recording. "That's the Way of the World" is slower with gentle synths, horns and the beat. Bailey's falsetto. A bossa nova-esque beat. Very soulful. This is just a chillin' song. They give us a very Isley Brothers' like guitar solo jam. "Reasons" is another song in the ballad category. A love song at that. Bailey's falsetto again. Multiple backing vocals. Oh, and a flute. Speaking of the flute, "Africano" opens with an extended flute intro. Hey, it is 1975, this is prime time for 70's flute guy. Congas and other percussion join the flute and there is African vibe. Wait, the song changes again going funk with the pace picking up and a wah-wah guitar and horns added. I really like the variety in this album. There's funk, soul, dance R&B and romantic ballads with elements of bossa nova, African, Caribbean and jazz (progressive soul). They get a groove or soulful jam going and just set it on cruise control. No rush in most of these songs. This was released at an interesting time, after the early 70's soul and funk and just before the heights of disco. Regardless, the album would be good any time it was released. A definite recommendation.
Nothing outstanding but still some really solid funk that gets even better if you're already in a good mood
Great album
Was going to give this a 4 but bumped it to a 5 after another listen. This is a brilliant record, perfect mix of soul with some funk and jazz elements. Singing is great, bass guitar is fantastic throughout. Definitely an experimental soul album that lands perfectly
STRAIGHT CLASSIC!!!
4.5 stars. So good, so groovy. "Africano" is unique, title track, "Shining Star" other standouts.
Groovy, catchy and fun, but nothing to super special about this record, it was just play ol fun. Overall score 6.3/10
Just an amazing funk r and b album. So listenable.
First album that I’ve listened to of theirs and god willing it will be my last. On a positive note the album is 38 minutes long so the pain is brief.
Not nearly as clever as they think they are.
loved it
It's funky bbq music for a lovely moment.
Groovy baby
8/10 Favorite Tracks: Africano, That’s The Way Of The World Least Favorite: None
That’s The Way Of The World ist mehr als nur ein Album – es ist ein Meilenstein der Musikgeschichte. Die Mischung aus virtuosem Spiel, mitreißendem Gesang und tiefgründigen Botschaften macht es zu einem unverzichtbaren Klassiker. Egal, ob man ein Fan von Funk, Soul oder einfach guter Musik ist, dieses Album gehört in jede Sammlung. Locker gesagt: Es ist schwer, nach diesem Album nicht optimistisch in die Welt zu schauen. Ein wahres Feel-Good-Erlebnis!
Como me gustaría ser negro
siempre suma
This was pretty OK, but not so good that I can't wait to cue it up again.
Not for me
Good not my taste
See the Light i think is my fave. i do like these songs and they feel very nostalgic but lowkey some of the singing on a couple of these songs is not great. the alien beep boops are done way cooler in this album than any i’ve heard in recent years. some of the instrumentals are suuuuper creative very much in a rainforest or smthn rn or one of those somatic healing vids on yt
It's good. It's got hits and jams even if it is pretty dated.
Shining Star That's the Way of the World
4/5
It's weird to think that there was a time that this album didn't exist? This just feels like it's just always been in the background of everything. It exists and doesn't. It's good but not good enough to seek out? It's a classic in that it's the perfect example of middle of the road?
8/10
Funk
-this is giving me flashbacks to tenth grade color guard when we did an Earth, Wind and Fire themed show. they have some absolute bangers with September and Let’s Groove -this album didn’t really do it for me quite as much as some of their other work. some of it was a little corny. good classic disco tho so I can appreciate the significance -Favorites are Shining Star, Happy Feelin’, and Africano
Not keen
This has some classics. It sounds like Andre 3000 drew a lot of influence from this on The Love Below
Pretty good
Albúm bastant chill, que no és del meu estil però que té alguna cançó top que no em saltaria.
Solid funk but missing something to be truly captivating. Favorites: Reasons, Shining Star
Great album! 5 Stars. Most of these songs I first heard from their live album, Gratitude, which I bought new in middle school. Grabbed this album shortly after I saw them live in the Seattle Coliseum in the mid 70’s. Bell Bottom pants over heels, rayon disco shirt with a print of surfers under a setting sun, dancing until the sweat spun off my brow… a moment of childhood bliss! I broke a few needles playing these records, later transferring to cassette, then bought the CDs. Now I stream them as regulars. The originals still sit in the stack, damn near unplayable. But I’ll probably own them til they put me under.
Not as good as I Am but great album 8/10
Top Notch. The BEST Show Band in the WORLD! Yes, they are still doing it.
Extremely perfectly made. Harmonies are excellent. I see where the influence goes from fleetwood mac to thundercat.
a little surprising - and disappointing - how at only ~39 minutes, this still felt like it dragged a little.
Poderoso, ritmico e hipnotizante
know it well already! love it! 4 stars!
Groove. Funk. Not sure this is the album.
When it comes to funk (and, truth be told, most other forms of music, especially rock and roll), I lean towards the philosophy espoused by Gabe Roth of Daptone Records; shitty is pretty. Seriously, you should read Mr Roth's article: https://dustynuggets.blogspot.com/2009/04/shitty-is-pretty-by-gabe-roth_6324.html If I was going to nit-pick this album choice, it is too polished for my tastes. The ballads in particular are too syrupy for me. But funk is sadly under-represented on this list, and so I am rating this one high because it was a breath of fresh air after far too many prog and psych albums. Shining Star is a banger (I keep the 7" in my DJ crates) and I really dig Africano as well.
I overall really enjoyed this album, though would say I preferred the upbeat songs to the ballads. Still the ballads are good for the right mood I think. This has a good amount of funk. This album is definitely in line with reinforcing that I like funk and soul music more than I realized. It's not quite a 5 for me but it's definitely a strong 4.
This funk has the right balance of sweet and heat, and the sermon on "All About Love" is nothing if not uplifting. So good. The "yeows" in the vocals might be one's favorite sound of the '70s, the horns slap repeatedly and the cooing backing harmonies couldn't be richer (or creamier). Opener and title cut are great and "Happy Feelin'" very much delivers on promise of title. The scat-singing/spoken-word bits are first rate and awfully good fun (on "All About Lovin'"). The criticism would be that it's a bit baroque, but bonus points for the costumes, which more than makes up the difference.
Randy Watson and Sexual Chocolate
I am not sure where to place EW&F in terms of genre and significance, but their talent is evident. Emergent disco at its best!
very funky - fav is shining star
Came in thinking they were a little bit corny for my tastes. What the hell was I on? Masterful combination of funk, jazz, and pop that surely lays the groundwork for Yacht Rock to come. Obsessed with whenever Maurice White lets out a “yoww/yah”.
8/10 es bastante parecido a kool and the gang, creo que seguiré escuchando earth, wind & fire, me gustó
funkeeehh makes it feel like you're in a the opening scene of a 70s cop show
All about love was way too self indulgent. Strong bass playing throughout
4-
Pretty cool!
- That's The Way Of The World is a beautiful song, the harmonies are just so gorgeous, and is truly timeless - Of course Shining Star is a great track too - Africano, my god what a track
What a freaking album this one is. So many hits from “Shining Star” to “Reasons”. EWF and just a legendary act that never fails to impress during their prime. I was getting up to dance at times, and others just sitting on the couch swaying my body back and forth. A must listen!
Shining Star is fantastic and I also really enjoyed most of the other upbeat songs on here. There were a few too many slow ballads for me but the highs are high. Best tracks: Shining Star, Happy Feelin', Africano
Uno creería que Earth, Wind & Fire, con el estatus de "legacy act" no tiene mucho con lo que sorprender a quienes investigan su gran catálogo, sin embargo, quedé boquiabierto tras escuchar este LP. Los vientos, las armonías, los sintetizadores e inclusos las psicodélicas pistas de interludio hacen de este LP unos 38 minutos que se disfrutan a cabalidad. Un poco de jazz en mi funk, y un poco de armonías en mis voces es todo lo que necesito para dar 4 estrellas o más. Escúchelo, por favor.
Can't beat a bit of 70's funk and soul. Love the distinctive sound of Earth Wind and Fire.
Classssix
I was excited to see earth wind and fire album. But it did disappoint a bit. Overall not terrible.
Sooo groovy - I was in a fantastic mood for the rest of the day, no traffic jams would annoy me and that is priceless
4/5
This was a good album. It's still not my preferred style of music, and I'm not sure I'll ever go back to it, but I can't give it below a 3.5, because the songwriting and musicianship is just too good. The whole album is smooth while having funk and is cohesive.
4/5
My first album in the 1001 albums! I really enjoyed its upbeat and lighthearted yet funky and experimental sound.
First listen. Pretty good.
Excellent groove, sound, everything, just missing that real catchy immersiveness
Loved the instrumentation. Really loved the interludes.
Shining star is a classic, Title Track is fine but Africano and Happy Feelin' are the two best tracks, don't really care much for the rest. I wanted more horns, more groove and for the drums to do anything interesting. Bass & guitar player rip, and I can get down with some xylophone. I'll round up to a 3, but I feel like I'll look back on this as generous.
Funk will never be a favorite of mine but I can hear the building blocks within it and find myself singing along to some of the songs so I can’t hate it.
I can't stand most 70s funk like this. But I can understand how other people do. Just reminds me of gap commercials and dirty cities from the 70s. Not my think. But if you like it, funk on
1975 we were deep into prog rock so we’ll see… Liked Africano - nice flute. Can here the early sounds of disco in some of the songs.
It was ok but too many duds for me. I need more funk.
Played it during social studies and my student said- Are you listening to Granddaddy’s music?? He’s going to be mad at you.
4.5 Stars. Yearnin Learnin and Africano were my favorite tracks, but really not a bad song on the whole album. Love me some horns.
Shining Star is an absolute banger...helluva way to open an album. Wish there was more funk and less ballads. This is a 3.49 ⭐️, so it rounds down to 3.
First time listening to a whole EWF Album - it would have been good if they could have cut loose Africano style more
Too much funk and soul 😔
This one is mostly annoying.
Yeah, it was OK.
Immaculate
Really really good album. I love the sound of it with the funk
6/10 Bardzo przyjemne do posłuchania
This was fine, preferred the more upbeat funky numbers to the slower R&B ballads. Probably won’t listen again.
Funktastic Mate!
If every song on this album was an element in their name, it’d go as follows Earth Fire Wind Wind Wind Wind Fire Wind Which, to sum up, says this album is not that good. I expected more groove. Nothing really. Choice cut: That’s the Way of the World
There's no world where this doesn't get 5*s from me
4.0
Gostei
Earth wind and fire is goated 10/10
This is #day116 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... I'm not a soul guy per se, but I'm OK with some funk, and this was rather funky and groovy. In fact, I'm revisiting this record for my #day771 today, after I scored a sealed official Ukrainian cassette tape of Timberlake's debut and stumbled upon the story that he listened to a lot of Earth, Wind & Fire at the time of recording it. Anyway, this isn't the only reason. A couple of weeks ago, I also revisited Isaac Hayes and Marvin Gaye. Sort of rediscovering funk. I'm bumping this up to a 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day117.
So for some weird reason, I of course knew the band's name but never consciously heard any of their stuff. And for some reason I had always grouped them into the same kind of adult contemporary dad rock genre as Chicago or Boston or Springsteen or whoever. I was relieved to realise how wrong I was. But. There are cool funky bits here, but nothing that would disqualify it from being a soundtrack to make love to your partner by But by God, is All About Love a schmaltzy song.
It grew on me as it went 2.5
Pretty good. Fairly or unfairly, I think of EWF as wedding music. Being the soundtrack to happiness is a nice achievement, I suppose. A couple mega-strong songs on here, and the rest are decent.
Another 3, honestly probably more of a 2.5. A couple of these were pretty good, but too many sloooooow jams. Zzzzz.
I had high hopes for this, but it fell flat for me. I enjoy funk and soul a lot, but this was just OK funk and soul.
Vibrant, sophisticated funk
First 2 songs are legendary (Shining Star, That's The Way Of The World), but I'm not familiar with the other songs on the album. Yearnin' Learnin' is upbeat...keeps your body moving. Reasons...another classic! Africano starts like playing around in the studio...then a nice jam ensues. The rest of the songs don't do much for me...but the good ones are GREAT!!!
It’s not completely bad but I didn’t like it
Decent funj but nothign mindblowing
Good energic funk that prequels the Disco mania that was to come.
Your usual 70s funk record that is good enough to have a pleasant listen, but I wouldn't say it's a keeper. Anyway, cool record!
nice
Solide, ganz nett, synthetisch mit einigen Plastikanteilen.
Soulful funk music. What's not to like. Great stuff.
Meh I like elements of a lot of it but not how it all comes together in the song. Still some great songs on here and could see this growing on me Rating: 3.3
Smooth radio friendly funk/jazz/soul. A few tracks hit the spot and there's some nice exotic touches here and there but the ballads are a bit too MOR for my taste
Too much crooning on this soul filled album and not enough funk. It’s ok if you like that sort of thing. Perhaps this is best played in the evening. Maybe turn down the lights, open a bottle of red and see if your lady… … fancies watching the telly instead.
Yeah apppreciate the effort but didn' hit were it was meant to with this sort of thing. Less dancing in the kitchen and more complain and bitchin