Customer Reviews

Spirit

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Coming nearly two years after the first batch of EWF reissues, is one of my favorites of their amazing 70's albums. From the initial blast off of "Getaway" to the cool sway of "Burnin' Bush" "Spirit" doesn't drag for a second. Other classic tracks on this album include "Saturday Nite", "On Your Face", and "Imagination" which features one of Philip Bailey's greatest vocal performances ever. This reissue comes with an alternate mix "Saturday Nite" with a humorous spoken intro, an amazing mix of "Imagination" with EWF's peerless background vocals without the track. An extended version of the interlude track "Departure"(only 28 seconds on the original album) and two instrumental jams "Seraphim" and "African Symphony" from the album sessions. Unlike the previous reissues, the song lyrics are reprinted inside the CD booklet(Thank You!!), and sonically the remaster of "Spirit" is crisp and dynamic sounding just like the first vinyl pressing of this album sounded. An excellent reissue of this classic album.

Quite excited about the idea of getting to listen to previously unreleased material from EWF, I got this one, even if I already had the vinyl release and the cd that came out some years ago.

My feeling after listening to it several times is that the record company or whoever decided what was going to be on here could have done much better and more, which is why I would rate it closer to three stars than four... Sure enough, the 36 minute original album is now 50 minutes long and the "packaging" (sleeve and drawing on the cd itself) is sexier. But the 5 extra tracks are just that, extra tracks. The saturday nite alternate mix doesn't really vary that much from the original one. "Seraphim" sounds great but only lasts 2 minutes and 7 seconds, and gives the impression of tunes on a demo tape that was never finished. "Imagination" 1 minute and 3 seconds. "African symphony" is less than two minutes.

If you don't have the original release, get this one for the same price. It is a masterpiece anyway (over 5 stars) without the extra tracks. If you have the original release, you will be paying one or two tracks the price of a cd. I'm not really sure that is worth the cash. Unless you are a collector and must have everything these guys have released, in which case I can recommend you to absolutely get the triple cd collection called "The eternal dance".

This may be my favorite Earth, Wind and Fire album not only because of the finished product but also because of the very tramatic circumstances the group faced while recording it. In the middle of recording this album the groups longtime co-producer and Maurice White's mentor and friend Charles Stepney passed away. The album title and the song Spirits are tributes to this soul and R&B legend.
Under such circumstances to make an album of this magnitude is simply outstanding. From the opening, this record cooks with the songs "Getaway" and "On your Face", then Philip Bailey gets a chance to showcase his unparalled falsetto on "Imagination" after that comes the tribute "Spirits" where Bailey once again takes the lead and shows why his vocal abilities are second to none. Then the group really starts getting serious with the funky "Saturday Nite", then comes one of my all time favorite songs, the mystical "Earth, Wind and Fire" a song that defines this group like no other. After that comes the interlude "Departure" and the instrumental "Biyo" which showcases one of the Elements greatest strengths, their unbelieveable musicianship. The grand finale is the beautifully written "Burning Bush" with it's lush horns, gorgeous orchestrations and wonderful vocal harmonies. This album and the circumstances under which it was completed once again affirms why Earth, Wind and Fire are one of the greatest bands this world has ever seen.

Only this album and Open Our Eyes is where you find Earth, Wind & Fire 100% doing them. Face it! As great as All 'N All was, it tried to be just that, catering to all conceivable audiences. Spirit is an album that controls its audience, showing you the true depth of this legendary outfit.

Getaway - 10 of 10 - Huge, overpowering, funk-defining jam, Maurice, Phillip, Verdine, the horns, the licks, DAMN!!!!

On Your Face - 9 of 10 - Probably the most overlooked jam in EW&F history. I think I heard it on the radio once in the past eight years. Hot, mid-tempo, party-compatible joint with a message and top-notch vocals.

Imagination - 9 of 10 - Beautifully crafted selection headed by the great Phillip Bailey with soaring choral background vocals.

Spirit - 7 of 10 - Reflective and artistic song that could be considered a dedication to the late Charles Stepney. Slow tempo causes the album to sag a little here.

Saturday Nite - 9 of 10 - Red-carpet jam for the club-hoppers, created in the same vein as "Shining Star". Charges the album back up some. I'm sorry, I love it when Maurice throws that exaggerated twang onto his voice. For more, see "Mighty Mighty" and "Yearnin' Learnin'". Don't get down wit' the roach, though.

Earth, Wind & Fire - 10 of 10 - Hovering introspective cut, which adds meaning to the group's name. Calls for everyone to find a spiritual focus. Excellent vocal work from 'Reece.

Departure (Interlude) - 10 of 10 - Despite Maurice's advanced skills on the kalimba, this is a simplistic interpretation of the group's journey to their own inner spirits. I even taught myself how to play this on the kalimba!

Biyo - 9 of 10 - Another one of EW&F's well-known studio jazz sessions, but with a futuristic edge. Not quite as memorable as "Runnin'" or "Africano", but still raises their instrumental game.

Burnin' Bush - 10 of 10 - EW&F's heavy shout out to gospel music. Crisp and still authentic. You almost wouldn't care if the song never ended.

EXTRA TRACKS - 6 of 10 - I don't drink coffee, but I just wanna get a cup, kick back and listen to "Seraphim", except it's not long enough. An extended version of "Saturday Nite", and short acappella "Imagination", and a might-as-well-be-one-long-song "Departure (The Traveler)" and "African Symphony", which is the extended version of the "Departure" interlude are not enough to make you feel like you are getting much extra.

Anyway, despite proclaimed lack of commerciality at the time, Spirit was and is high-quality music and any recording artist that existed when this classic dropped in '76 would have been ecstatic to have their name associated with this masterpiece in any way. Cop this for true EW&F essence.

This is one of my favorite EWF albums! I had the incredible
experience of hearing Philip Bailey, sing Imagination,ACAPPELLA!
That was back in 87. What an amazing voice he has! Maurice
White, you have a fantastic voice too! Nobody can sing lead,
like them. You are, and always will be, my favorite band!!!

Coming on the heels of what may be the greatest double album of all time, (Gratitude), EWF comes up big with Spirit, "Imagination" is an incredible ballad, "On Your Face", although left off of every greatest hits compilation I've ever seen, is funk/shuffle at its best, "Getaway" and "Saturday Nite" are also CD fillers. All N' All follows this one, then I Am. What a run!

This may be my favorite Earth, Wind and Fire album not only because of the finished product but also because of the very tramatic circumstances the group faced while recording it. In the middle of recording this album the groups longtime co-producer and Maurice White's mentor and friend Charles Stepney passed away. The album title and the song Spirits are tributes to this soul and R&B legend. His influence can't be understated as you begin to see the makings of what the group would eventually become once they left Warner Brothers and joined Columbia Records. He, like Maurice, had a varied experience in many genre's of music and together they began to form the tight and progressive sounds that made the band the best ever.

Under such tragic circumstances to make an album of this magnitude is simply outstanding. From the opening, this record cooks with the songs "Getaway" and "On your Face" two songs that define what this group was all about. They are songs of hope and reflection in the time period it was recorded there was a lot of division still taking place in this country and their songs really brought some joy while at the same time making you pause to think about what was being said. Then Philip Bailey gets a chance to showcase his unparalled falsetto on "Imagination" which has one of the most majestic endings you'll ever hear and some of the most ear piercing notes Phillip ever sang.

After that comes the tribute song co-written for Stepney by two of the groups five incredible songwriters who were just inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame,the main songwriter Maurice White and Larry Dunn titled "Spirits" (Verdine White, Phillip Bailey & Al Mckay were the other 3 main writers). It's a moving tribute and deeply spiritual song that speaks of the Oneness of all things and as one of my favorite verses in the song says "Our Spirits They Will Be One". Bailey once again takes the lead and shows why his vocal abilities are second to none. Then the group really starts getting serious with the funky "Saturday Nite" the song with the best groove on the album and the one which displays the bands genius for producing good ole down home funk!

Next is one of my all time favorite songs, the mystical "Earth, Wind and Fire" a song that defines this group like no other and tells the story of Creation in a very ancient and esoteric way. It is co-written by Maurice and a good friend of the bands, Alexander "Skip" Scarborough and who would collaborate with Maurice on some of the groups biggest and most well known hits. After that comes the only interlude and instrumental on the album "Departure" and "Biyo" which showcases one of the Elements greatest strengths, their unbelieveable musicianship and was nominated for a Grammy Award that year for Best Instrumental Performance.

The grand finale is the beautifully written & produced "Burning Bush" with it's lush horns, gorgeous orchestrations and wonderful vocal harmonies which gives the band a chance to show off all of it's musical talents. This album and the circumstances under which it was completed once again affirms why Earth, Wind and Fire are one of the greatest bands this world has ever seen. They were the band that defined the 1970's and where and still are, in this reviewers opinion, the Greatest Band Of All Time

Earth,Wind & Fire is not only the name of one of this album's best songs but is a statement of intent for a band now
throughlly blending earthy funk,breezy jazz-pop and firey playing
all at once.And here they turn a disadvantage into an advantage
by using the gospel-soul of the tital song as a tribute to the
now deceased arranger Charles Stepney.But that isn't all that's
good here,see!"Getaway" is a classic that DESERVES it's hit
status while "On Your Face" and "Saturday Night" are powerful jams out of the "Shinning Star"-school of all time "united" funk" classics."Imagination" recalls "Devotion" in it's smooth
funk feel and the instrumenatl "Biyo" comes to grips with a
disco-funk vibe.But whatever EWF are doing,especially here,nothing will dissappoint!

Spirit has always been one of my favorite albums and EW&F's best in my opinion. Every song is a hymn and anthem to positive thinking and the joy of being alive. The wonderful "Spirit,' "On Your Face," "Imagination," "Burning Bush," etc. are all here as before, but the added tracks add dimension. I've always wondered why "Departure" was only 28 seconds on the original. Now we get to hear it in it's intended entirety along with an additional snippet called "African Symphony." The previously unreleased "Seraphin" also adds to the fun. So a great album is made even greater in the process-buy it!

This album was a solid offering for Earth, Wind & Fire in 1976,
following their 1975 breakthrough success of "That's The Way Of The World"
and the semi-live offering "Gratitude", both of which broke them
into pop crossover territory and went double platinum.
This album was released in October 1976 and was competition
with some mighty R&B/Pop albums....mainly Stevie Wonder's
magnum opus "Songs In The Key Of Life", The Isley Brothers'
"Harvest For The World" and Parliament's "The Clones Of Dr. Funkenstein"!!
This album, "SPIRIT", which was highly anticipated by their fans,
did well on the charts and was neck and neck with the aforementioned
albums all through the rest of 1976 into the Spring of 1977.
The lead single was the fabulous and funky "GETAWAY", which is
just an amazing piece of jazz/pop/funk/soul-inflected composing,
arranging, singing, and is executed with precision by the band!
This song was played EVERYWHERE in late 1976!!--I can remember riding
my bike down the block or anywhere in the city where I lived at that
time, and you'd hear it coming from people's car radios, 8-tracks,
or coming out of the poolhalls & barber/beauty shops.
Earth, Wind & Fire's new album dropping wwas like an event
in the black community of that time!--You wanted to hear what
they were going to come with next! (-:
This generation doesn't understand the excitement of hearing
or seeing something original, organic and unprecedented in
music/entertainment like you did back in those days!
Everything is sampled, regurgitated, electronically enhanced
tin-can sounding crap now! (IMHO!!)

Anywayz, this was still Earth, Wind & Fire before they became too
pop-polished in the late 70's & early 80's, which to me is why
they lost their edge and innovation and dissolved for awhile
after 1982. This was still, the well-produced, well-arranged,
inventive, but still raw, tribal, funky and musically eclectic
sound which we had heard from say 1972's "Last Days & Time"
up until then. They were one of the few black acts of that time
who could easily pack a stadium like the white rock and pop acts
of the the day, but with 70% black and 30% white and other
ethnicities in attendance. Their live shows were incredible too!
This was a pivotal time in their development as far as success,
but also in the form of a devastating tragedy, which could've been
the end of them, if bandleader Maurice White hadn't been able to
rally his creativity & leadership skills to carry their vision forward!
Their great co-producer, arranger, collaborator & musical mastermind,
Charles Stepney, who Maurice White had worked with and who'd
served as his musical mentor since his early days as a young
session musician in Chicago, and who was largely responsible for
the newly-honed sound which had brought them such great success on
"That's The Way Of The World" and "Gratitude" in '75,
had suddenly died of a massive heart attack in the spring
of 1976, during the recording sessions for this album.
It really knocked the band for a loop and they wondered
what would become of them for awhile...then the answer came...
they must carry on, utilizing the foundation that Stepney
had left in his wake. The title track, the beautiful and serene
"SPIRIT", written & arranged by keyboard wizard Larry Dunn,
with lyrics by Maurice White and Phillip Bailey, who really
brought it to life with his inspired & angelic falsetto voice!
(Just gorgeous!)Is dedicated to the memory of the
late great Charles Stepney.

Though, as another reviewer has pointed out, this album didn't
have a bunch of pop crossover hits, as "Shining Star" had been
for them in '75 or which would come for them on later albums,
it did have some brilliant & potent material which did very well
on the R&B charts and still managed to sell double platinum
by the end of 1977, so there! (-:
"On Your Face", "Imagination" "Spirit", "Saturday Nite",
"Earth, Wind & Fire" and "Burnin' Bush" are all gems in my book!
In closing, this album is not on the level of the 3 great
quintessential E, W & F masterpieces of all time:
1977's "All-n-All", 1975's "That's The Way Of The World" &
1979's "I AM", but it was a good solid album in it's time
and most of it's songs still hold up today! (-: