The Best Of: Volume 1 |

Earth, Wind & Fire: Maurice White (vocals, kalimba, drums); Verdine White (vocals, bass, percussion); Philip Bailey (vocals, congas, percussion); Al McKay (guitar, percussion, background vocals); Johnny Graham (guitar, percussion); Andrew Woolfolk (flute, soprano & tenor saxophones); Larry Dunn (piano, organ, synthesizer); Charles Stepney (piano, programming); Ralph Johnson (drums, percussion). Producers: Charles Stepney, Joe Wissert, Maurice White. Reissue producer: Leo Sacks. Includes interviews with Maurice White, Verdine White and Phillip Bailey conducted by Leo Sacks. Digitally remastered by Mark Wilder (Sony Music Studios, New York, New York. Personnel: Maurice White (vocals, drums); Alan Hewitt (keyboards, programming). Audio Mixers: George Calle; Mauro DeSantis; Alan Hewitt; Maurice White; Paul Klingberg. Liner Note Authors: Leo Sacks; Maurice White; Philip Bailey; Verdine White. Recording information: Magnet Vision Studios, Santa Monica, CA; Stereosonic Studios, Hoboken, NJ. Directors: Art Macnow; Richard Salvato. Photographers: David Gahr; Chris Walter; Jim Shea. Arrangers: Earth, Wind & Fire; Maurice White; Charles Stepney. The vocals, drumming, and production of Maurice White. The soaring falsetto of Philip Bailey. The fat, thumping basslines of Verdine White. That fantastic, piercing brass. All these ingredients combine to make Earth, Wind & Fire one of the premier R&B/jazz/funk bands of the 20th century and beyond. Compilation producer Leo Sacks has expertly remastered THE BEST OF to superior sonic quality and added two bonus tracks to boot. "Got to Get You Into My Life" is a jazzy, soulfully swingin' take on the Lennon/McCartney composition. "Fantasy," perhaps the band's finest moment, combines stylistic percussion with inspiring harmonies. "Can't Hide Love" is finely crafted R&B sharpened to a glistening point by a tight horn section. "Love Music" is an uplifting groove that sounds brand new decades later. "Reasons" is a perfect R&B ballad, and Philip Bailey explains in the liner notes that though it's become a wedding song, it's really about a one-night stand. The explosive, funky "Shining Star" exudes spirituality. A bonus "Megamix 2000" (and edit) are included and combine various tunes into a club mix. THE BEST OF is a great overview of these Rock and Roll Hall of Famers.

• Format: CD
• Genre: POP
• Released: 07/27/1999