Earth, Wind & Fire: 10 Essential Deep Cuts
Founded by Maurice White in 1969, the iconic funk and soul group Earth, Wind & Fire are considered by many as one of the greatest bands of all-time. The legendary group, that originated out of Chicago and then re-located to Southern California, has sold over 90 million records and received numerous prestigious awards, including being named to the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. On a personal note, EWF was my first favorite groups when I was a young kid and has had a major influence on me ever since.
For many “casual fans” or music listeners, the group’s mega-hit songs like “September,” “Let’s Groove,” “Boogie Wonderland,” and “Shining Star” are basically house hold pop hits at this point, and are often the tracks that many people think of, when they think of Earth, Wind & Fire. The truth is, as many of the group’s hardcore fans can attest to, EWF has an abundance of great tracks, including a number of brilliant underrated songs that often do not receive the attention they truly deserve.
With this feature, we highlight ten essential Earth, Wind & Fire songs that are often over-looked. Make sure to check out the Spotify playlist at the bottom of the page featuring all the tracks listed below.
EARTH, WIND & FIRE: 10 ESSENTIAL DEEP CUTS
“Moment Of Truth”
(1971 / ‘Earth, Wind & Fire’)
Featured on the group’s 1971 self-titled debut studio recording, this incredible track has an early seventies funk feel that’s very reminiscent of Sly & The Family Stone and even later-day Jackson 5. I definitely feel like this is one of the most under-rated EWF tracks and recordings of their entire discography.
“Everything Is Everything”
(1971 / ‘The Need Of Love’)
Another seventies-era funk gem from the ever-evolving group that at the time featured jazz legend and B3 organ great Doug Carn (see his Black Jazz Records recordings!). The track, which was featured on the 1971 album The Need Of Love also included the group’s original email vocalist Sherry Scott, who left the band after this recording. The track has a slight Funkadelic feel to it.
“Time Is on Your Side”
(1972 / ‘Last Days And Time’)
On the 1972 Last Days And Time album, the band went through numerous transitions both in their overall sound and personnel. The record kicks off with “Time Is On Your Side”, which has an overall fusion sound, that blends together soul, rock, and funk grooves. You can definitely hear some Sly & The Family Stone and Weather Report influences on this track.
“Zanzibar”
(1973 / ‘Head To The Sky’)
The thirteen-minute African-influenced track is a spiritual jazz-funk groover that features a brilliant trumpet solo by guest artist Oscar Braschear. The song also includes Jessica Cleaves on vocals, who was only with the band on their 1972 Last Days And Time and 1973 Head To The Sky albums.
“Drum Song”
(1974 / ‘Open Your Eyes’)
A mid-tempo jazz-funk gem and quite possibly the group’s best instrumental track. Included on the group’s under-rated 1974 album Open Your Eyes, the African-influenced track features Maurice White on Kalimba.
“On Your Face”
(1976 / ‘Spirit’)
Featured on the group’s highly successful seventh album Spirit, “On Your Face” is a mid-tempo “feel good” groover. Legendary producer and songwriter Charles Stepney, who worked closely with the group during the mid seventies, sadly passed away before the album’s completion, and therefore the band dedicated the recording to the iconic artist.
“Jupiter”
(1977 / ‘All N’ All’)
This space-funk gem off of their classic 1977 All N’ All was actually one of the album’s singles, and broke into the UK’s Single Charts at #41. Even with it’s success in the UK, the track never seems to be mentioned as one of the group’s best songs. The track has a very similar feel as the 1976 mega-hit “Getaway”.
“Brazilian Rhyme (Extended Mix)”
(Recorded in 1977 / Released in 2019)
Straight out the Sony tape vaults, this is the extended full version of “Brazilian Rhyme”. The original shorter version of the track was featured as an interlude twice on the group’s 1977 All N’ All album. This extended mix finally received an official release in 2019 on the always brilliant Scottish-based Athens Of The North label. One of my personal all-time favorites!
“I’ve Had Enough”
(1981 / ‘Raise!’)
Raise! was one of the band’s most commercially successful albums, selling over a million copies and topped the Billboard Pop Album charts. The recording also marked the return to the band of guitarist Roland Bautista, who last played upon 1972’s Last Days and Time. Even though “I’ve Had Enough” was the record’s third single, I find that it doesn’t tend to receive the attention the lead single“Let’s Groove” receives. For my money, I feel that “I’ve Had Enough” is the albums best track.
“The Speed of Love”
(1983 / ‘Powerlight’)
Featured on the group’s twelfth(!!!) full-length album Powerlight, “The Speed of Love” has a mid tempo two-step boogie vibe. The track is definitely of it’s era, blending eighties-style electric production grooves with soulful pop vocals.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
“Help Somebody” (1971 / ‘Earth, Wind & Fire’)
“Energy” (1971 / ‘The Need of Love’)
“Evil” (1973 / ‘Head To The Sky’)
“Devotion” (1974 / ‘Open Your Eyes’)
“Magic Mind” (1977 / ‘All N’ All’)
“Spread Your Love” (1982 / ‘Powerlight’)
EARTH, WIND & FIRE DEEP CUTS PLAYLIST
