Wind & Fire Earth - Open Our Eyes

Their first Grand Slam

People who've read my EWF reviews know that I have a preference for their EARLIER material. Of those pre-Sprit, pre-1976 albums, THIS is my favorite. I got into EWF during my teens in the late 80s, and this was one of the last albums I found. Why? Because as the band gained more crossover success the early albums got pushed into the background. By the late 80s, you had to search near and far for the early albums (or hope that you had some hip relatives that had the albums)

This album contains the hallmarks of the early-EWF albums: uplifting messages throughout, punishing grooves, diversity (FUNK, inspirational ballads, instrumental funk-fusion), and RAWNESS. That's some thing you'll notice I harp on a lot. I've become more critical of EWF as I've gotten older, but the truth is the band's rawness gave way to POLISH once Charles Stepney died and Maurice White assumed full control of the production reigns. As I've said elsewhere, funk was meant to be RAW (but I can't pigeon-hole EWF as simply a funk band, I know).

Like I said, I've become more critical of the band--I still LOVE them, though--because as they got bigger and "crossed over", it seemed like they turned their backs on this early music. I mean "MIGHTY, MIGHTY" was their first HIT, and it's been relegated to footnote status in their history. [Come to think of it, NOTHING from their first 3 CBS albums is on the first BEST OF album]. I mean, it wasn't even included on the first BEST OF album. The casual EWF listener "don't know nothin' 'bout this album."
Highlights? Well, for me it would be "Mighty, Mighty", "Kalimba Story" and "The Drum Song". The studio version of "Devotion" (which you RARELY hear on the radio) is here, too.

It's all about "Mighty, Mighty", though, if I had to name one tune. It's a MONSTER of a groove from the opening drum pickup notes. It's got a powerful, uplifting, and empowering message. "We are the mighty people of the sun." This is the type of song that first endeared EWF to its black audience. It's a JAM, my favorite EWF vocal tune. There was a clip of the Soul Train line done to this song on YouTube, and it showed just how much of a groove the guys had. October 22, 2007

The Young Lions

The prelude to greatness... before the elements went on to glorious heights, there were already a tight, progressive, positive band, with two powerhouse vocalists. One thing that is not mentioned much when commentary is made about the best band of the 70s is that they celebrated their African roots without a second thought.

Tracks like Mighty Mighty, Drum Song, Caribou, along with the spiritual overtones of songs like devotion exuded not only an awareness on their part of who they were, but they celebrated it without regard. This progressiveness continued up into the 80s and after a brief hiatus, continued into the 90s and recently with the wonderful release 'Illumination'.

Their legacy needs to be preserved by our young and held up as an example of what great music should be modeled after. Now with all that said, this album/CD is a delight to listen to even today. Thank God these old gems were preserved! Real music has become a novelty today.
Like Mr. White says, this music is Eternal. March 16, 2007

Baddest Band in the Land

I was a Teenager when this Album was released on "Vinyl" (for those of you from the CD Age ask your Grandparents). Back then I loved every Song on the Album, and that love stands pat today as Earth, Wind & Fire's Music from those days Song just as Beautiful Today as it did then, and there'll never be another Band like them. I have every E.W.F. Album made in the 70"s on CD now. Some of the best purchases I ever made. October 22, 2005

WHAT WE HAVE IS A BRAND NEW SOUND!

Whoa! Even with the enlightening evolution of EW&F's fourth release, Head To The Sky, nobody could have seen this coming. This album is nothing short of bold and brilliant. It is an all-out assault on several musical genres, as well as the full emergence of a newly refined and crystalized EW&F sound.

"Mighty Mighty" is an eyebrow-raising funk experience in under 3 minutes, that boldly uplifts those of African descent, completes with fierce guitar licks, a snaky bassline, and confident vocals that all overflow with attitude. I hope that soundproof booth wasn't made of glass, because Phillip Bailey certainly would have shattered it. Other immediate standouts are the arm-waving anthem "Devotion", the much too funky "Kalimba Story" and the wordless "Drum Song" and "Caribou". You must love "Tee Nine Chee Bit" for it's lowdown Ohio Players-like feel. An album like this could have very easily taken a wrong turn, but the fact is that this one doesn't. It is random perfection. The only possible thing you could criticize is the somewhat lazy sounding vocals on "Caribou", and still this is overshadowed by the fact that you can't get this sound anywhere else.

This album crosses pop, funk, gospel, jazz, R&B and African music barriers full-stride without missing a step. It's also saturated with musical, vocal, spiritual and commercial prowess without being preachy. How can you even call yourself an Earth, Wind & Fire fan without owning this musical goldmine???!!! Even the bonus tracks are really bonus. Get it while the gettin' is good, my mellow. September 7, 2004

It sounds like they had fun recording this one!

Of course Earth Wind and Fire have tons of hits, spanning a couple decades, but the gems on this release are the non-single tracks. While both hits "Mighty Mighty" and "Devotion" are great, this CD is simply full of music from beginning to end that is funky, soulful, and fun. The title track "Open Our Eyes" is a wonderful gospel song, and the minor hit "Feeling Blue" is a great ballad which you may remember, but the highlights are the added tracks including the funky "Fair But So Uncool" and the gospel inspired soul in "Ain't No Harm to Moan". You will love the improvised jamming in "Drum Song" and the African inspired "Kalimba Story".

This is a wonderful collection of music and you can tell they had a lot of fun recording it. The music sounds fresh and alive, which is remarkable considering it has been nearly 30 years since it was recorded. A great and underrated release from one of the most talented recording groups of all time. October 31, 2003

More reviews at Amazon.com ...