Earth, Wind & Fire
Heritage (CBS) (STAR)(STAR)(STAR)
For their latest album, Earth, Wind & Fire updates its sound in an attempt to win over a new audiance largely unfamiliar with the hits that made the group an R & B giant in the `70s. The once mighty horn section has been reduced to a few perfunctory solos; Verdine White`s thumping bass lines have been muted; and the band`s two drummers have been ditched in favor of the synthesized drum-beats-from-a-can approach. In an effort to make this LP even more relevent to the kids, guest appearances are made by the Boys, who lend a nice choral touch to the funky title track, and rapper M.C. Hammer, who`s given a featured role on a couple of songs (”Wanna Be the Man,” ”For the Love of You”). Hammer`s clipped delivery meshes so well with EWF`s leaner sound that they might want to consider hiring him full-time. EWF reaches into the past on ”Good Time” by letting Sly Stone take over the singing chores and the result recalls some of his best work. ”King of Groove,” is a free-wheeling, unpretentious song that adds a needed dose of spontaneity.
”Motor” lets Maurice White show off his expertise on the kalimba. Phillip Bailey gets only one solo, the ballad ”I`m in Love,” and he proves once again that in the Pop Music-Male Vocal category, he has no peers.
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