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Elements of the Universe Sep 29, 2009
This is a truly wonderful display of musical innovation & inspiration. Rickey Wright, in his so called review of this album, stated that it wasn't a "concept" album. Nonsense! Earth, Wind & Fire were a concept band in and of themselves, every one of their albums from the decade of the 70's had 2 main concepts, Oneness & African Pride! They understood the rich and unprecedented history of the African people worldwide and brought this knowledge in mystical terms to the masses.
Like all great prophets before, the Elements spoke in parables and those with eyes to see and ears to hear were amazed and electrified at what was being revealed! Their lyrical content was second to none and greatly under appreciated by "so called critics" like Rickey Wright. This album is one of the finest expressions of musical & lyrical genius as you'll find.
"Serpentine Fire"- Pure power and mysticism, a song about the rising of the coiled, serpentine energy up the spine & through the Chakra's till it reaches the crown & enlightenment occurs! Who truly understood the power and magic of this song with it's unmatched lyrics and hard funk influenced rhythms. Those who study ancient eastern religions will understand this one totally.
"Fantasy"- One of the hits off of this album that you hear all over FM radio & has been featured in a miriad of soundtracks to films. Beautiful piano intro that precludes some of the most astonishing strings & horns you'll ever here. Lyrically, another masterpiece which those who've studied eastern religions will get without any problem.
"Jupiter"- This is the song were the Phenix Horns get a chance to show off their other worldly talent with a blazing intro that burns throughout the entire song. Great bass guitar work here by Verdine "the Fire" White as well.
"Love's Holiday"- After a short interlude, then comes this beautiful ballad by Maurice White. Pure poetry here as a lover asks the object of his affections, "Would you mind, if I touched if i kissed if i held you tight till the morning light"! Maurice's gorgeous tenor shines in this song which ends with a nasty funk laced guitar solo by Johnnie Graham. One of the true highlights of the album.
"Brazillian Rhyme"- This is probably their most famous "interlude" ever. It showcases the groups unparalled vocal harmonies with Phillip Bailey's falsetto leading the way! Great Keyboard by Larry Dunn and Verdine tears it up on the bass!!
"I'll write a Song for You"- This may be my personal favorite on the album. Beautiful song written by Phillip and Al McKay, this song is both a love ballad & a mystical adventure. Pure poetry in motion about a lover describing his undeniable devotion to his soulmate. Stunning acoustic guitar by McKay & Graham on this one with lush orchestrations & the Elements outstanding melodies and vocal harmonies.
"Magic Mind"- This is a pure funk tour de force!! Great keyboards, horns, bass and nasty rhythm guitar work. Lyrics are tremendous with lots hidden messages along the way.
"Runnin"- This is the instrumental selection that has everything you'd expect for Earth, Wind & Fire! For those who have the double LP "Gratitude", this will remind you somewhat of the jam "New World Symphony". Great movements and progressions throughout the song with nasty trumpet & sax solos by the Phenix Horns!
"Be Ever Wonderful"- After the most gorgeous intro i've ever heard (the longer version on their box set is other worldly) comes this song. It has a pure gospel feel to it with simple yet profound lyrics and incredible vocals, horns! This song builds to an absolute flurry of brilliance at the end with the vocals soaring to places that just having never been reached before!
This group was able to bring together many elements from Jazz, Funk, R&B, Rock, Latin & Classical musical influences and merge them together into a sound that was not then nor has it since been duplicated. They truly were the Elements of the Universe and the Greatest Band of all time!
"The Classics Keep On Comin'!" Sep 24, 2009
By this time, EWF could do no wrong. Once again from start to finish, an album so beautifully crafted that it stuns the senses. "Fantasy" and "Loves Holiday" were my favorites when I was a kid, but I have really grown to appreciate the album as a whole (especially "Be Ever Wonderful"). Add another classic to an already stunning catalog.
The Summit Feb 28, 2009
As many before have noted, "All 'n' All" is indeed a masterpiece - a term I don't use lightly.
I own almost all of EWF's offerings from the band's start, and continued to buy their music long after the release of this album. And while I enjoy much of what EWF produced both before and after "All 'N All," this album, to me, represents a nadir for the group. It almost seems as if everything they did before, as good as it was (and make no mistake, it was - and is - excellent music), was but a preamble to this 39-minute opus (surely not long enough, but with the added tracks now available on the re-release, this is somewhat improved). And while much of what they released after "A&A" is really pretty good stuff, I still return to this album again and again for my EWF fix.
As the years have rolled by, more and more of my Rock-oriented friends who eschew R&B have fallen under the spell of this album, which I suppose illustrates that music which is well-written, well-produced and well-performed can and does transcend genres. Not only genres, but time as well; few albums endure past their decade of release, but "All 'N All" has engaged many people I know who were born long after the album's original release date. This work melds many varied types of sounds into what can only be described as a musical "Perfect Storm." Everything just seems to come together, and there is NO filler here.
While "All 'N 'All was not the most commercially successful album the band released, it is artistically without comparison. If you are a Soul/R&B fan, you probably already have this album. If you're not, go get it. Listen to it. If you don't like it, listen again. Trust me on this; you will not be disappointed.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
E.W.F.'s 1977 masterpiece ALL N'ALL Jul 01, 2008
People tend to use the words "classic" or "masterpiece" too sparingly these days.In the case of "All N'All",I believe both of those words actually apply.During 1977,the band was in peak form all the way around,and they nailed everything to a T on this album.If you don't believe me,put some decent headphones on and listen to "Serpentine Fire" or "Fantasy".But wait,there's still "Love's Holiday","I'll Write A Song For You",the Grammy winning "Runnin'" and "Be Ever Wonderful".Any true EWF fan knows the interludes "Beijo" & "Ponta De Aria" (Both named "Brazilian Rhyme" on the vinyl LP.)To me this is EWF at their best.Other people have other opinions but oh well.On a scale from 1 to ten,I would easily give this album a 11! No qualms about it.After this album,the elements leaned more toward the pop side.
Bottom line,I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ALBUM!!!!
VERY ESSENTIAL EWF LISTENING.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
The Pinnacle and Crown Jewel of EWF! Apr 03, 2008
I can still go back and hear things in the arrangements I missed 31 years ago! A fine testament to the songwriting, performance, recording and musicianship that Earth, Wind & Fire accomplished on this masterpiece studio album.
This is wonderful music vibrant with colors and imagery, with so many styles filtrating its bare bones of funk fusing blues, soul, jazz, Brazilian and African (kalimba), this is R&B in its ultimate potential. All `N All is a true journey for the ear track after track, and should be the first in your collection.
Rich harmonies, outstanding arrangements, awesome use of fusing styles of music while staying true to funk and R&B, phenomenal songwriting, excellent track flow, tight musicianship all spells up to an enduring masterpiece that forever remains a classic.
The only thing that could make this a step up from perfection (because they got it right the first time) is having it digitally remastered. It truly deserves it like years ago.
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