Earth, Wind & Fire - The Promise

 

This is the first new studio album for six years from this musical tour de force and sees the light of day over here nearly 12 months after it's US release. Despite good reviews and a grammy nomination it's clear that those marketing people are unsure where to pitch this collection of new material and therefore it's saleability in foreign parts!!

 Perhaps the band should have seen through the first creative idea of making a comeback utilising the skills of one Wyclef Jean for greater commercial success. The result would have probably not done the band any favours. Under it's original leader and founder, Maurice White now sadly struck down with Parkinson's Disease the band elected to keep the music under their control and the result is all the better for it. 

Rich harmonies, touches of sophisticated jazz and those unmistakable horns all blend together to good effect. Listen to tracks such as ' Betcha ' and ' Hold Me ' with Philip Bailey's falsetto vocals breathing soul demanding to be appreciated and you feel as if time has really stood still. Indeed with 'Where do we go from here' we actually have a remnant of a tune originally recorded in 1978. Still overall this is as fresh as the first daffodils of spring. Throw in Angie Stone for good measure and you know that the legends have a lot of life in them yet.