Dig of the Week: That’s the Way of the World
You’ve found yourself in the little corner of the internet, where I like to shine a spotlight on classic albums, from a musical and cultural perspective, that I consider highly essential and always in some way relevant to the current month. Sometimes regularly, sometimes less so. Nevertheless, always with love.
It would be Maurice White’s 79th birthday today. The spiritual leader of one of the greatest supergroups on this planet, Earth, Wind & Fire.
Although he has left the physical realm in 2016, due to Parkinson’s disease, his legacy lives on forever. Joyously optimistic, connecting with listeners on a higher level, Maurice was on a mission to spread the message of love, hope and respect and raise the consciousness of the people. Let’s celebrate his greatness today by listening to the music he has blessed this World with.
Growing up in the 40's in Memphis, Tennessee, the Home of the Blues, Maurice White has been exposed to a wide variety of genres. Later in Chicago, Illinois, where he studied music at the Conservatory and gigged as a session drummer for the famous label Chess Records, he took his musical journey even farther. Working on records of artists such as Chuck Berry, Etta James, Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, while also recording drums for Fontella Bass’s ‘Rescue Me’ and Jackie Wilsons ‘Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher & Higher’ to name a few. Later, working with the amazing Ramsey Lewis in Ramsey Lewis Trio, exposed him to a wide universe and allowed him to expand his musical horizon even further. They’ve worked on a number of albums together in the 60’s. During this time he discovered the magical African instrument called ‘kalimba’, which became so significant to his sound .
Maurice White formed the band called Earth, Wind & Fire in 1969. Grabbing along his brother Verdine (bass), followed by other members such as Larry Dunn (keys), Freddy White (drums), Al McKay (guitar), and others, including the falsetto vocalist Philip Bailey. Named after the elements in his astrological chart (Earth, Air, Fire), the musical force created a sound for the new generation of the 70s. The band continued to take over the world with their enlightened funk, transcending across genres and bringing people together regardless of their origin. Remaining band-members are still actively inspiring audiences around the world and spreading the message of Unity, for over 50 years now.
The album ‘That’s the Way of the World’, belongs to some of the most quintessential releases of all time. 6th studio album of the band, released in 1975 by Columbia Records. Recorded at the snowy Caribou Ranch in Colorado within three weeks. The first chart-topping smash ‘Shining Star’ broke the door open in 1975, and catapulted their musical career into complete stardom. The multi-platinum album has been their best selling record, inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and placed in the Top 500 Greatest Albums of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine, that also called it “make-out music of the Gods”. This release has also marked the beginning of the use of Egyptian symbols and pyramids on their record covers, clothing and stage decoration.
Guaranteed to always put a smile on my face and lift my spirits up, regardless of the state I find myself in. Incredibly grateful for the content of this LP. Astonishing sound, intricate compositions, delightfully tender strings, horns, percussions, the lyrical content… all of it. From the initial guitar licks on ‘Shining Star’ to the joyful laughter and jam at the end of ‘See The Light’. Excellent showcase of positivity and universal love. The entire message is so moving, needed and timeless.
Rest In Paradise, Maurice White. Happy Birthday!
SPECIAL TREAT
Earth, Wind & Fire has contributed to the lively sounds that can be found in R&B, jazz, soul, and even hip-hop today. Their music has been frequently sampled all over the place by everyone from J Dilla, Naughty by Nature, Kanye West to Timbaland. Traces of it can be heard on countless modern records. Here’s one of my many favorite transformations of the EWF material.
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Feel free to share the love & hit me up with what’s been catching your ears these days. I’m always on the look-out for music and would love to hear from you.