Customer Reviews

Maurice White

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Unfortunately Maurice White only recorded this lone solo album in 1985 during Earth,Wind & Fire's hiatus.His work with that band is superlative of course but 'Maurice White' is his own beast entirely.The first two cuts "Switch On Your Radio" and "Jamboree" are very happy and ethereal 80's funk-all handclaps and polyphonic synth orchestration,you know.But in both cases Maurice's lyrics are about joy and well being."Believe In Magic" and "Invitation" touch on similar territory while White spends the rest of this album as sort of a sepia Peter Gabriel,exploring minimal,African inflected soundscapes that his former band were more wary of,themselfs in search of more of a funky sound.One of the more individual of the EWF solo offerings 'Maurice White' is also the story of a promising solo career that has,and sadly will always remain somewhat unfullfilled.

EWF has been my favorite group since I was a teen and when Maurice went solo that was the icing on a very delicious cake. This CD is wonderful to listen to because his musical genius come out full force and you get a taste of everything from jazzy to soulful. This is the CD to have in your "old school" collection.

I have to agree with the review of, Andre Grindle, who stated he wished Maurice had done more solo material, he is one of the true Genius' we've ever come across in music and his band, Earth, Wind And Fire, truly changed the face of music in the 1970's with a groove that was never heard before or since. This album has a wonderful selection of songs including the remake of the classic "Stand By Me" on which "Reece" adds his own style and flare. By this time, Maurice had already founded his own production company, Kalimba Productions, for a few years and had been writing and producing songs for many famous recording artist besides himself.

These included Barbra Streisand on her album platinum album "Emotion", Ramsey Lewis on his gold album "Sun Goddess", Jennifer Holliday, and he has also co-written a song for the rock band The Tubes which appeared on their album "Outside Inside". He has also worked with Neil Diamond on his gold album Headed for the Future, and he arranged and produced for the band Atlantic Starr on their platinum album "All in the Name of Love". In addition he played the drums on Minnie Riperton's debut album, "Come to My Garden", co-wrote with Barry Manilow the song "Only In Chicago," which was included on Manilow's platinum album "Barry" and worked with Cher on her 1987 platinum album entitled "Cher".

Some other highlights on this album are "Jamboree" which has a blistering sax solo by an artist he was introducing to the music world, Gerald Albright, "Lady Is Love" has the classic groove he made so famous with the Elements and some of the most beautiful lyrics he ever penned on a love song, "Switch On Your Radio", "Sea Of Glass Interlude", "Believe In Magic" and my favorite "Children Of Afrika". This album once again reaffirmed why Maurice was such a special musician and person, he is highly respected in the world of music and his contributions have been outstanding. The extra tracks are a nice addition also, especially the beautifully written and composed "Adventures Of The Heart".

This "old" music from the time I was about 18 still makes me feel young, makes me dancing spontaneously.

Oh, Maurice! When one hears such notes what can one say? This album is simply orgasmic in its quality. The orchesration on here is moving. It awakens the soul brother that sleeps within. I may be a bit bold in saying this, but what Maurice has got here is something that is far better than ANYTHING EVER RECORDED (that includes The Beatles, too...yeah, I said it).

Fin.

first&formost Maurice White is one of those Cats that I think the World of.a True Genius&what He did with Earth,Wind&Fire still blows my mind.but His Solo Album was pretty lightweight overall to me."I Need You" was cool.His re-make of Ben E.King's "Stand by Me" sounded better in 85 than now to me.this Album just was kinda there.I wonder how come He didn't put out more Solo Albums? but then again His stuff with EWF,Ramsey lewis&the first Urban Knights along with His Other writing&Production under-takens He has Made up for it.but this Album didn't move me much.