2013 studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire
Now, Then & Forever Released September 10, 2013 Recorded 2012-2013 Studio
NuVintage Recording Studio A
Mungo Bungo Studio
Blakeslee Studios
NRG Studios
Ritesonian Recording Studio
Germano Studios
Dunn-Elliott Studios
Genre R&B , funk Length 43 :21 Label Legacy Producer Philip J. Bailey (Executive), Verdine White (Executive), Philip D. Bailey, Larry Dunn , Myron Mc Kinley, Justin Paraniello, Walt B., Neal Pogue
S.O.U.L. (2013)
Now, Then & Forever (2013)
Holiday (2014)
Now, Then & Forever is the 20th studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire , released on September 10, 2013, by Legacy Recordings /Sony Music .[1] It is its first studio release for Sony Music since Heritage from 1990. The album reached No. 11 on the Billboard 200 and No. 6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[2] [3]
Overview [ ]
This is the first Earth, Wind & Fire album without musical input from founder Maurice White although he supplied liner notes. Larry Dunn , a former bandmember, featured as a keyboardist on the album.[4]
Within the album's liner notes, a note from Maurice White is included:[1]
As we see today’s technology uniting the world wide web, sometimes it seems that the hearts of men are growing more distant from each other. It is my hope that this music will continue to tie past to future, reminding us of the love that united us to our ancestors, and to our descendants, and to each other. Peace,
— Maurice White
A deluxe edition of the LP came coupled with a compilation album.[5]
Singles [ ]
A track called "Guiding Lights" rose to No. 16 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Songs chart and No. 30 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart.[6] [7] Another single entitled "My Promise" reached No. 28 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart and No. 30 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Songs chart.[8] [9]
Critical reception [ ]
Matt Bauer of Exclaim gave a 8 out of 10 rating, noting that "Now, Then & Forever is a more than worthy addition to the Earth Wind & Fire catalogue."[11]
With a four out of five rating Harry Guerin of RTÉ called Now, Then & Forever "One of the surprises of the year."[15] Elias Leight of Popmatters wrote "Now, Then & Forever has all the old colors and grooves, an impeccable rhythm section, prominent guitars, and indomitable horns that trace and re-trace motifs, dancing rings around everything."[12] With a three out of five stars rating Gavin Martin of the Daily Mirror exclaimed "Elements of greatness remain but the songs aren't classics."[16]
Daryl Easlea of Record Collector gave a four out of five stars rating and found that "Now, Then And Forever, is a splendid diversion that recalls – in spirit alone, of course – Rick Rubin ’s recent work with Black Sabbath . It also sounds like a lost album that should have come out after 1979’s I Am : a very shrewd approximation of the EWF we know and love, it’s crammed with sophisticated R&B, gossamer-light jazz and powerful, soulful vocals with a positive message.[17] Andy Kellman of Allmusic gave a three out of five stars rating saying "Now, Then & Forever demonstrates the lasting value of the band's classic sound."[10] With a three out of five rating the Daily Record called Now, Then & Forever "a worthy effort, and EWF are clearly using old glories as inspiration for the future."[14]
Track listing [ ]
1. "Sign On" (Feat. Daniel McClain) Philip D. Bailey, Sharlotte Gibson, Austin Jacobs, Daniel McClain, Neal H. Pogue, Darrin Simpson 4:17 2. "Love Is Law" Allen Bundy, Lee Hutson, Jr. , Jairus Lemuel-Jada Mozee, Ric'key Pageot, Eric Rousseau, Meg Todd 4:20 3. "My Promise" Siedah Garrett , Austin Jacobs, Darrin Simpson3:22 4. "Guiding Lights" Philip D. Bailey, Austin Jacobs, Daniel McClain, Darrin Simpson 6:24 5. "Got to Be Love" Philip D. Bailey, Philip J. Bailey, Ralph Johnson, Myron McKinley 3:41 6. "Belo Horizonte" Raymond Crossley, Frederick A. Johnson, Ralph Johnson, Morris O'Connor 1:50 7. "Dance Floor" Philip D. Bailey, Sondria Bailey, Justin Panariello 4:59 8. "Splashes" Philip D. Bailey, Justin Panariello 5:21 9. "Night of My Life" Philip D. Bailey, Jevon McGlory, Justin Panariello 4:00 10. "The Rush" Philip J. Bailey, Larry Dunn, Allee Willis 5:07
11. "Hero As He Rose" Philip D. Bailey, Jevon McGlory, Justin Panariello 4:00 12. "Whirlwind" 5:37
11. "Can't Hide Love (Masters at Work Remix)" Skip Scarborough 12. "Shining Star (DJ Jin Asakusa Samba Remix)" Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn, Maurice White
11. "My Promise" (featuring Omar Sy ) Siedah Garrett, Austin Jacobs, Darrin Simpson 3:25
13. "Can't Let Go" Bill Meyers, Maurice White, Allee Willis 14. "Runnin’" Maurice, White, Larry Dunn, Eddie DelBarrio 15. "Shining Star" Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn, Maurice White 16. "Turn It Into Something Good" Valerie Carter , James Newton Howard , Maurice White 17. "Power" Maurice White, Earth, Wind & Fire 18. "You And I" Maurice White, Allee Willis, David Foster 19. "Fantasy" Maurice White, Verdine White, Eddie DelBarrio
13. "Can't Let Go" Bill Meyers, Maurice White, Allee Willis 14. "Runnin’" Maurice, White, Larry Dunn, Eddie DelBarrio 15. "Shining Star" Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn, Maurice White 16. "Turn It Into Something Good" Valerie Carter, James Newton Howard, Maurice White 17. "Power" Maurice White, Earth, Wind & Fire 18. "You And I" Maurice White, Allee Willis, David Foster 19. "Fantasy" Maurice White, Verdine White, Eddie DelBarrio 20. "Can't Hide Love" Skip Scarborough 21. "September" Al McKay, Maurice White, Allee Willis 22. "September (DJ KOMORI Remix)" Al McKay, Maurice White, Allee Willis 23. "Let's Groove (TJO & YUSUKE from BLU-SWING Remix)" Maurice White, Wayne Vaughn
Personnel [ ]
Adapted from the album's text.[1]
Philip Bailey — producer, executive producer, lead and background vocals, percussion
Trinity Bailey — A&R
Jon Barnes — trumpet
Duane Benjamin — trombone
Gary Bias — alto and tenor saxophones
Mathieu Bitton — design
Terence Blanchard — trumpet
Errol Cooney — guitar
Sal Cracchiolo — trumpet
Tishaun Dawson — cover art, creative director
Reggie Dozier — horn engineer
Larry Dunn — engineer, Fender Rhodes , Hammond B3, handclapping, keyboards, Mini Moog , Moog synthesizer , grand piano, producer, soloist, synthesizer
Jennifer Feinberg — project director
Chuck Findley — flugelhorn, trumpet
James Ford — trumpet
Matthew Fronke — trumpet
Siedah Garrett — background vocals
Jerry Hey — horn arrangements
J.R. Hutson — producer
Dr. Billy Ingram — insert photography
Fred Jackson, Jr. — flute, tenor saxophone
Munyungo Jackson — percussion
Austin Jacobs — composer, keyboards, programming, synthesizer
Ralph Johnson - drums, percussion
Eric Jorgensen — trombone
Wendell Kelly — trombone
Paul Klingberg — engineer
Nicholas Lane — trombone
David Leach — percussion
Daniel McClain — background vocals
Jevon McGlory — background vocals
Myron McKinley — Fender Rhodes, keyboards, producer, synthesizer
Justin Merrill — engineer
Gregory Moore — guitar
Kenny Moran — engineer, percussion engineer, synthesizer
Jarius Mozee — guitars
Vernon Mungo — vocal engineer
Morris O'Connor — guitars
Jeremiah Olvera — mixing assistant
Don Pace — cover art
Ric'key Pageot — keyboards, synthesizer
Justin Panariello — producer
John Pappenbrook — trumpet
Jim Parham — project director
John Paris — drums, background vocals
Dave Pensado — mixing
Neil Pogue — A&R
Neal H. Pogue — additional production, engineer, handclapping, mixing, percussion, producer
Satnam Ramgotra — tabla
David Rideau — engineer
Darrin Simpson — guitar, Hammond B3, handclapping, horn arrangements, keyboards, piano, programming, synthesizer
Damien Smith — A&R
Jubu Smith — guitars
Michael "Patches" Stewart — trumpet
Randee St. Nicholas — photography
Juan F. "Jef" Villaluna — guitar
Mark Visher — baritone and tenor saxophones
Wait B — handclapping, producer
Verdine White — bass, executive producer, handclapping, mixing assistant
B David Whitworth — background vocals, percussion
Benjamin Wright — conductor, horn arrangements
Reggie Young — bass and tenor trombones
Charts [ ]
Weekly charts [ ]
Year-end charts [ ]
Singles - Billboard (US)
Certifications [ ]
References [ ]
^ Jump up to: a b c Earth, Wind & Fire: Now, Then & Forever . Sony Music. September 2013.
^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Now, Then & Forever (Billboard 200)" . Billboard .
^ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Now, Then & Forever (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)" . Billboard .
^ Music News Desk. "FIRST LISTEN: Earth, Wind & Fire's New Single 'Sign On' " . broadwayworld.com .
^ Jump up to: a b Earth, Wind & Fire: Now, Then & Forever (Deluxe ed.). Sony Music. September 2013.
^ Jump up to: a b "Earth, Wind & Fire: Guiding Lights (Smooth Jazz Songs)" . billboard.com . Billboard .
^ Jump up to: a b "Earth, Wind & Fire: Guiding Lights (Adult R&B Songs)" . billboard.com . Billboard .
^ Jump up to: a b "Earth, Wind & Fire: My Promise (Adult R&B Songs)" . billboard.com . Billboard .
^ Jump up to: a b "Earth, Wind & Fire: My Promise (Adult Contemporary Songs)" . billboard.com . Billboard .
^ Jump up to: a b Kellman, Andy. "Now, Then & Forever - Earth, Wind & Fire - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic" . allmusic.com . AllMusic .
^ Jump up to: a b Bauer, Matt (September 6, 2013). "Earth, Wind, and Fire: Now, Then & Forever" . exclaim.ca . Exclaim .
^ Jump up to: a b Leight, Elias (September 22, 2013). "Earth, Wind and Fire: Now, Then & Forever" . popmatters.com . Popmatters .
^ Arnold, Chuck (October 7, 2013). "Picks and Pans Review: Quick Cuts" . people.com . People .
^ Jump up to: a b "Album Reviews: The latest tracks from Katy Perry + James Blunt + Andrea Bocelli + Earth, Wind & Fire + Polica" . dailyrecord.co.uk . Daily Record . November 8, 2013.
^ Jump up to: a b Guerin, Harry (October 23, 2013). "Earth, Wind & Fire - Now, Then & Forever" . rte.ie . RTÉ .
^ Jump up to: a b Martin, Gavin (September 20, 2013). "MUSIC TALK with JOHN TURRELL Music" . proquest.com . Daily Mirror . p. 7.
^ Jump up to: a b Easlea, Daryl. "EARTH, WIND AND FIRE NOW, THEN AND FOREVER" . recordcollectormag.com . Record Collector .
^ Baird, Emerys. "REVIEW EARTH, WIND & FIRE: NOW, THEN & FOREVER (SONY)" . bluesandsoul.com . Blues & Soul .
^ Earth Wind & Fire: Now, Then & Forever (Target ed.). Sony/Legacy. 2013.
^ Earth Wind & Fire: Now, Then & Forever (Best Buy ed.). Sony/Legacy. 2013.
^ "Deezer is coming soon!" . Deezer .
^ Earth Wind & Fire: Now, Then & Forever (International Edition Disc2) . Sony/Legacy. 2013.
^ Earth Wind & Fire: Now, Then & Forever (Japan Limited ed.). Sony/Legacy. 2013.
^ "Austriancharts.at – Earth Wind And Fire – Now, Then & Forever" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 04, 2013.
^ "Ultratop.be – Earth, Wind & Fire – Now, Then & Forever" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
^ "Ultratop.be – Earth, Wind & Fire – Now, Then & Forever" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
^ "Lescharts.com – Earth Wind And Fire – NOW, THEN & FOREVER (ALBUM)" . Hung Medien. Retrieved October 05, 2013.
^ "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH . Retrieved October 06, 2013.
^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2013-09-23" (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved September 23, 2013.
^ "South Korea Gaon Album Chart" . On the page, select "2013-09-14" to obtain the corresponding chart. Gaon Chart Retrieved October 19, 2013.
^ "Italiancharts.com – Earth, Wind & Fire – Now, Then & Forever" . Hung Medien. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Earth Wind And Fire – Now, Then & Forever" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
^ "Swisscharts.com – Earth Wind And Fire – Now, Then & Forever" . Hung Medien. Retrieved October 06, 2013.
^ "Spanishcharts.com – Earth Wind And Fire – Now, Then & Forever" . Hung Medien. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100" . Official Charts Company . Retrieved October 28, 2013.
^ "Earth, Wind & Fire Chart History (Billboard 200)" . Billboard .
^ "Earth, Wind & Fire Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)" . Billboard . Retrieved September 28, 2013.
^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2013" . Billboard . Retrieved July 23, 2020 .
^ "British album certifications – Earth Wind & Fire – Now Then & Forever" . British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved February 21, 2020 .Select albums in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Now Then & Forever in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
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