Earth, Wind & Fire

Few if any bands have ever married sweaty Funk, dramatic horns, dancing falsettos and high-flying sentiments the way EWF have. All 'n All (1977) continues the band's mid-1970s string of excellent releases, offering "Serpentine Fire," the sublime "Fantasy," and the endearingly sappy ballad "Love's Melody." You can't lose with this release.

At their worst, Earth, Wind and Fire indulge in some of the most pretentious excesses in
current black music. As on past Earth, Wind and Fire records, All 'n All is filled with leaded
brotherhood platitudes, Star Trek sci-fi and stiffly poetic love songs. This sounds
overwrought and depressing (and maybe it is). But there's a catch: I like the record, for
like much current black music, All 'n All elicits a schizophrenic response. If the... More >

Focusing soulful horns, high-tension harmonies, and rhythms and textures from many lands onto a first side that cooks throughout. Only one element is lacking. Still, unsympathetic as I am to lyrics about conquering the universe on wings of thought, they make me shake my fundament anyway. (Grade - B+)