Normally,I never go crazy over tribute albums.There have been several EW&F tribute albums in the past,but I wasn't really impressed.But 'Devoted Spirits' is cause for celebration.The reason? It was actually recorded by three former members of Earth Wind and Fire....Larry Dunn,Morris Pleasure and Sheldon Reynolds (who left the band only a few years ago).I've been listening to this CD all week,and it is just brilliant.Most of the songs are instrumental,but Sheldon sings on many tracks,and he is very good.Sometimes,he even attempts to do a Philip Bailey-like falsetto,and he pulls it off with ease.The arrangements are breezy and intoxicating,without any unnecessary hip-hop elements.Sheldon plays a mean guitar throughout the album,and there are many guest artists and a few surprises.Maurice White even makes an appearance on a brief interlude.There's one new song here---"Rhythm Of Love"---that would have been perfect for the current version of EW&F to record.


DEVOTED SPIRITS: A TRIBUTE TO EARTH WIND AND FIRE

Devoted Spirits Intro
September/Mighty Mighty
Sunshine
Serpentine Fire
All About Love interlude
Smooth/Can't Hide Love
Fantasy
Brazilian Rhyme/In The Name Of Love interlude
Alpha/After The Love Is Gone
Stand Up Now interlude
That's The Way Of The World
Devotion
Running
Sunday Morning interlude
Serpentine Fire interlude
Sunday Morning
Rhythm Of Love
See The Light
Light Of Day interlude
Love's Holiday
Rock That
Faces



www.devotedspirits.com



If you are a fan of the music of EW&F,trust me...you NEED to get this CD!

here's a review from soultracks.com....


DEVOTED SPIRITS


Recommended CDs


Few acts over the past 30 years have cast as long a shadow over popular music as Earth Wind and Fire.Dozens of self-contained funk groups over that period have admittedly owed a huge debt to the groundbreaking work of EW&F.However,no group has had as direct a connection with EW&F as the new band Devoted Spirits,which consists of three long-time Earth Wind and Fire alums,Sheldon Reynolds (guitar,vocals and production),Larry Dunn(keyboards) and Morris Pleasure (keyboards,bass and trumpet),each of whom had spent over a decade with EW&F.

Clearly a trio of very talented musicians,Devoted Spitits signed with Thump Records with plans to ultimately record an album of all-new material.However,somewhat surprisingly,the group's first release is a disc of covers of Earth Wind and Fire songs entitled 'Tribute To Earth Wind and Fire'.

My first reaction upon hearing of the release of 'Tribute' was...why? Certainly Earth Wind and Fire was one of the most celebrated groups of the last 30 years and Maurice White's approach to music and his arrangements were both progressive and extremely influential on a generation of artists.So was an album of EW&F covers by three former members necessary? The answer is no,it was not necessary,but I'll admit to being converted by Devoted Spirits into believing that their approach to 'Tribute' made the idea both interesting and enjoyable.Unlike Kool and The Gang's recent 'Hits Reloaded' album,where that band attempted to apply modern styles and guest artists to its' past hits,the Devoted Spirits project doesn't try to update the EW&F catalog.Instead,it takes an alternate view of history,showing how the songs might have sounded in a less controlled environment,with a more relaxed---sometimes funkier and more electric---approach than EW&F originally utilized.

The first point that comes out in listening to 'Tribute' is how well the Earth Wind and Fire catalog holds up,and the collection reminds just how great these compositions are.And while the mostly instrumental 'Tribute' remains relatively true to the original versions of a few songs,such as "That's The Way Of The World",it generally takes the music in different directions than the original versions,giving a jazzier,freer aura to "Can't Hide Love" and "Sunday Morning",more raw electricity to "Fantasy" and "Rock That",and even a call-and-response gospel feel to a "Serpentine Fire" interlude.In almost all cases (save the straight-to-smooth-jazz-radio "After The Love Is Gone"),the songs here are looser and more relaxed (and largely less pop-oriented) than the meticulous EW&F productions.

'Tribute' is certainly not a replacement for anyone's old EW&F discs,but it isn't meant to be.It's meant to be a "what if?" album that provides Earth Wind and Fire fans an alternate way of looking at the great music that Maurice White and his group created,and it that respect it works well and makes for very good listening.

thanx for the info, sounds interesting

Get the CD,I know you will love it.

Last weekend was my "Earth Wind and Fire weekend"...lol...in addition to the tribute CD,I also bought tickets to their concert,'The Collection' DVD containing all of their music videos,another EW&F tribute album by Lenny White (released last year),and a vinyl copy of the 'Spirit' album.


am I obsessed or what?

DavidEye said:

hehe, who isn't

speaking of tribute albums, I got Al McKay Allstars "Live at Fuji Filmfestival" just last week. didn't have time to check it out in detail yet, but after a very quick spin it sounds kinda nice

Dancelot said:

you know...I've been wanting to buy that CD too.Where did you get it...from his official site?

DavidEye said:

a cousin of mine bought it at one of his concerts a few months ago... I just made CDR copy.. but I could imagine he will forget that I ever borrowed it

I'm gonna try to find that CD too.

Wouldn't it be cool to see an EW&F reunion with all the original members? I'm talking about their 70s lineup(Larry Dunn,Al McKay,Fred White,etc?).Maybe do an album and a tour.Maurice has promised that it will happen,but somehow I doubt it.