All Categories — CDs  

A slept on solo effort from Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys – released in 1983 and a record brings some surprising touches to the production – harder-charging rave up guitars being the one that stands out – still with big hooks and Carl's instantly identifiable vocals! A left turn on the sunny, post 70s highway Beach Boys related projects, yet still in the family. Titles include "She's Mine", "Of The Times", "Young Blood", "If I Could Talk To Love", "One More Night Alone" and more, plus the bonus track "Givin You Up (Single edit)".

A well-titled album, given that the overall feel here is maybe a bit more stripped-down and almost rootsy at times – even though the trio's still working with producer George Martin! The set was recorded in just a week at Caribou Ranch – and it's almost a return to the core harmonies and acoustic elements of the group's roots – cast out here with perfect compressed sound, yet also hitting harder with a few more punched-up moments at times too. There's a nice "past the hits" quality to the set – and titles include "She's A Liar", "Letter", "Watership Down", "Amber Cascades", "Lovely Night", and "Who Loves You" – plus "Hideaway (parts 1 & 2)", which has this great mellow groove and piano from Martin that could easily be a hip hop sample!

Spiritual, soulful, and oh, so beautiful! This record captures Earth Wind & Fire at a perfect transition moment – when they've still got some of their avant jazz roots, but are leaning towards the smooth soulful funk sound that put them on the charts a few years later. The whole thing's a wonderful mix of spiritualism and funky jazz – and it includes their massive cover of "Mighty Mighty", plus a lot of tracks with cool instrumentation, like "Kalimba Story", "Drum Song", and "Caribou". Great jazzy groovers, all of them! Contains 4 previously unissued tracks – "Ain't No Harm To Moan", "Step's Tune", "Dreams", and "Fair But So Uncool (Walkin In N'Awlins mix)".

Amazing! Earth Wind & Fire's ultimate moment of the 70s – and a perfect blending of all their influences that stands as a lasting tribute to their super-huge effect on soul music! The record features all aspects of the band coming into perfect cohesion – bassy funk, mellow soul, and afrocentric jazz – all expertly handled by the great Charles Stepney, who still has the same rich talent for blending styles that he had while working at Chess/Cadet during the glory days of the late 60s. Some of these songs have been played to death (and covered so much) over the years that it's often easy to forget what a crowning moment this was for former underground soul heroes Earth Wind & Fire – but we'll never cease to be amazed at the power of their mid 70s work, and this album's the best of the best. Titles include "Shining Star", "That's The Way Of The World", "Reasons", "Africano", "See The Light", and "Happy Feelin". CD also features 5 bonus tracks – "Shining Star (future star)", "All About Love (first impressions)", "Happy Feelin (anatomy of a groove)", "Caribou Chaser (jazzy jam)", and "That's The Way Of The World (Latin expedition)".