Album of the Day

Earth, Wind & Fire had a long string of R&B and pop smashes for Columbia in the 1970s and 1980s – so long, in fact, that many forget the band started out on Warner Bros. Drawing their name from leader Maurice White's astrological sign (Sagittarius), the group and its 1971 debut EARTH, WIND & FIRE served up humanistic lyrics and an inclusive musical vision well-described by those three elements. Featuring a 10-piece lineup including top Chicago and L.A. instrumentalists, these seven songs hew closer to raw funk than the group's later output, but “Fan The Fire,” minor hit “Love Is Life” and closer “Bad Tune” show EWF's playing was already sublime. Released last month on 140-gram vinyl, EARTH, WIND & FIRE is an album that anyone interested in the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers beyond a best-of needs to hear.