Earth, Wind & Fire – Now, Then & Forever

No matter how "Old School" "Earth, Wind & Fire" seems to be in some Peoples eyes, they also continued to stay relevant, by introducing themselves to Younger Generations, especially by touring like crazy...So when it was time to release a new album, it would not be a shock to anyone's system...

9 years since their last album, "Now, Then & Forever", is almost of reflection, and a new start...

This is the first album without "Maurice White"....I know that it almost sounds Sacrilegious, but we have to look at the circumstance..."Uncle Reese's " health was failing, and he just couldn't keep up with the Band, even in recording...I know to me, that was a little hard to swallow...But, on the flip side, he also haven't toured with the band since 1994, so to people attending the concerts, the group consisted of "Philip", "Verdine" and "Ralph"....

"Philip" said that in order for this to work, he started listening to their classic stuff from the "All 'N All", "I Am" and "Faces" albums....

That was very good, because the album started on a very high note with "Sign On"...

The second song, and 1st Crown Jewel. "Love Is Law", is a going back to basics song....

The 2nd Crown Jewel, and 1st single, "My Promise", has a straight up "September" vibe to it...

"Guiding Lights", takes me back to the days of "That's The Way Of The World" and "Spirit"....

"Got To Be Love (3rd Crown Jewel), has the cool "Turn Into Something Good" vibe (from the "Faces" album)...

"Belo Horizonte", the lone Interlude, fits perfectly here....

"Dance Floor", shows the Youngsters, that you can do a great Dance Song with "Real Instruments"...

"Splashes" (4th Crown Jewel), shows that "EWF" made the wise decision to go back to doing Instrumentals....

"Night Of My Life" is another great Dance Song, while "The Rush", is the perfect album closer....

I think it is worth mentioning, that it is cool that the Touring Band: "John" Paris (Drums), "Morris O'Connor" (Guitar), "Myron McKinley" (Keyboards), "Sir Bailey" (Vocals), "Daniel McClain" (Vocals), "Reggie Young" (Trombone), "Gary Grant"(Trumpet), and "Fred Jackson, Jr." (Saxophone) (I hope I got everybody), is very present on here....

Also, having former member "Larry Dunn's" help throughout the album was also a smart move (I wish he would come back to the group though)....

I am sure this album was everything the group wanted to be...It definitely fits in their catalog...

This is also a somber thing for me, because 3 years later, we would lose one of the most influential figures ever in "Maurice White"..It is still HEAVY for me to think about it, because then I go back to the 2 year old Kid who heard "Head To The Sky" and from then on decided that I was going to a Bandleader and Producer...Yes, I am a "Prince" head, but it was "Uncle Reese", who kick started it for me...The beautiful thing is that, he was able to write a message note like he always did, so the world got to see his last words...

This also, I am sure, helps "Philip", "Verdine" and "Ralph" to continue on, and continue to add to their Legacy...So, yes, we wait, because we know that the Fellas will KEEP IT GOING!!!!!!