Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth Wind & Fire

by

Various Artists

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After countless delays, Maurice White finally releases 'Interpretations - Celebrating The Music Of Earth, wind & Fire', and the results are good for the most part. Before I review this CD, it's important to know that Maurice personally chose each of the artists on the CD, and he didn't want them to rehash the old songs with the same old arrangements...He wanted them to INTERPRET the songs in their own way! Hence you get the title 'Interpretations'...NOT REMAKES. So give this CD a chance because NOBODY expects the artists to surpass the classic songs, and they don't, but it is pretty interesting to say the least.

Now for my review! 'Interpretations' starts with a BANG as Chaka Khan (backed by members of Soulive) tears through her reading of 'Shining Star', and with her high octane vocals up front (and in good form), the song turns out to be a serious funkfest (don't sleep on Soulive...they can PLAY!!).

'Be Ever Wonderful' is a STRANGE choice for the 2nd track, and it features Neo-Soul legend Angie Stone, who doesn't give me enough on this reading. She is simply TOO restrained and after hearing the song, I'm left wanting more. Don't get me wrong, Angie sounds good, but the song never fully develops (the original was almost 6 minutes long!) as it fades out with a quickness after only 4 minutes.

'September' is a perfect vehicle for Kirk Franklin, and his reading of the classic is a winner. He updated the lyrics and transformed EWF's classic into a Gospel stompfest.

'Devotion' by Ledisi really shines, and Maurice is to be commended for pairing the singer (no, the SANGER) with this jam. NO, Ledisi doesn't try to be Philip Bailey here, but her extensive range is on full display here. Like the original, I can actually FEEL her rendition, not just hear it!

'Can't Hide Love' was tastefully done by The Randy Watson Experience Feat.Bilal, and I have nothing against this track, but it really pales in comparison to D'Angelo's 1996 version (IMO). I've never paid much attention to Bilal, but I'm feeling this track, which will probably grow on me. The change in tempo halfway through the song was pretty interesting, and it gives the band a chance to stretch out a bit.

'Love's Holiday' by the one & only Lalah Hathaway was tastefully done, and her jazzy vocals are perfect for the song, which begins as a semi-accapella tune. Eventually, the rhythm section joins Lalah, but like Angie Stone, I was left wanting to hear more as the song faded out TOO EARLY!

'That's The Way Of The World' by Dwele is given a Neo-Soul makeover, and I'm really impressed. The driving beat and vocal (also ala D'Angelo) are quite exceptional, and I must applaud Dwele for his updated version of the 1975 anthem.

'After The Love Is Gone' is next, and Mint Condition does it's thing! I am SO happy that Maurice asked Mint to be on the CD because Stokely is such a talented vocalist (& drummer, etc). Mint doesn't really alter the original's arrangement, BUT it is tastefully updated at the same time. This track is a winner.

'Reasons' by Musiq Soulchild is next, and initially, I didn't have high expectations for him to do justice to Philip's classic performance. Well, I was pretty impressed with Musiq's take on 'Reasons' and his falsetto was very sweet, BUT not Bailey Glass Shattering, and he stays true to the original. Even though Musiq didn't inject his own flavor on 'Reasons', I'll say it's a highlight on the CD.

Closing the 10 track CD is 'Fantasy' (IMO, 'Be Ever Wonderful' would be a better CLOSER!!), and the ultra talented MeShell NdegeOcello transforms the classic into something um...different. She takes 'Fantasy' on some weird acid rock trip, and doesn't end the CD on a high note! Whew...

All n' All, 'Interpretations...' is a winner, and I enjoyed the informative linernotes by Maurice White & David Nathan, but where are the cool pictures that Maurice took with each of the artists ?? I also heard that a bonus 'making of Interpretations' DVD was supposed to be included...Hmmm!! Questionable sequencing of songs, and including ONLY 10 tracks on the CD is kind of WEAK when you think about 35+ years of music from EWF!! I must say that it would've been cool to have additional tracks like 'Head To The Sky' by Maysa, 'Wanna Be With You' by Urban Knights, 'Sun Goddess' by Doc Powell, and 'Serpentine Fire' by Brian Culbertson. Oh well, I'll extend my personal copy to include these great 'bonus' tracks, but I'd also recommend 'Interpretations...' to music lovers & fans of EWF alike. It'll do until we get a new CD from the Elements!

Peace, SD

(Chakasworld)

This album, both victim of my expectations and masseuse of my ears, was not a bad idea overall and gave me enough to smile about to be happy with this purchase. While it's not a new EWF album, it caught my attention with a lineup like Angie Stone, Chaka Khan, Kirk Franklin and other neo-soul powerhouses. I scooped it the day it went on sale, and it continues to have a positive effect on me.

Chaka's "Shining Star" - Chaka combines her energy from Rufus years with the inherent energy of this original EWF classic and, well...do you mind if she smokes? Gotta be one of the strongest performances here. She comes off so Chaka, even in this remake, and absolutely blows the doors off the studio. I'm sayin', when's her next joint comin' out? (10/10)

Angie Stone's "Be Ever Wonderful" - OK, Angie's diggin' into the track. I feel it. It's mellow. Appreciating the updated music. Building up for the ending. What??? It's over? A disappointment only because the song fades out before she gets into the big "Badap Bow" ending. "Be Ever..." being one of my favorite EWF cuts, I felt seriously slighted. (5/10)

Kirk Franklin's "September" - Particularly a big one for me, because I gave my heart to the Lord on September 4th. Full of energy and just as danceable as the original. Thorough representation of the uplifting feel of this classic, but with all-new Christian lyrics. Kirk knows just where to drop those ad libs. Check out Kirk's version of "Keep Your Head To The Sky" on the "Hero" album. (10/10)

Ledisi's "Devotion" - I enjoyed this one. Ledisi is an underrated artist and has the vocal range to pull this off. I must admit, I listened to it tongue-in-cheek with skepticism, holding her accountable for every imperfection as she reached for those Bailey notes. Her performance was definitely high-quality and that "o-pen your heart" add-in section won me over. (9/10)

Bilal/RWE's "Can't Hide Love" - Intrigued by this collaboration and well aware of Bilal's vocal dexterity, I couldn't wait for this one to jump off the disc. Truth be told, Bilal starts off a little weak, perhaps in an effort to sound somewhat subdued, as though he is trying to subtly convey to the woman "You know you want me". But he quickly shakes the dust off onto the instruments, which seemed to achieve the closest dart of sound to the classic EWF bullseye. Bilal's uninhibited freedom of expression on this track actually makes up for the fact that he's not Maurice and the Latin spin down the stretch makes this cut arguably the most worthy entry to this CD. (10/10)

Lalah's "Love's Holiday" - Definitely eye-opening to hear a woman singing in the same key as Maurice. Lalah seems to take notes from the demo version "Would You Mind" (see "All 'N All re-release CD) and starts this remake out with no percussion. Couldn't help but compare this to her "Forever, For Always, For Love" remake of Luther's classic, but Lalah sounds top-notch and the snares do eventually kick in. Still a bit short. (7/10)

Dwele's "That's The Way Of The World" - Dwele chose this song, with HIS low-key singing style? He sure did, but in case you've forgotten, he very slickly produces his own tracks. He successfully turned this larger than life opus into something you can test your new Bose speakers with. While his falsetto achieves a totally different venue of cool, I just can get past the fact that there are no background vocals (ehh...and no Phillip Bailey). (8/10)

Mint Condition's "After The Love Has Gone" - Not too many artists have the vocal clarity that Maurice White has become known for, but Stokley most certainly does. He effortlessly belts out the lyrics with conviction, but the downfall comes from lack of musical originality, or should I say "interpretation" and the background vocalists didn't open their mouths and let the words ring out, which negates some of the power inherent in this cut. I'll probably never prefer another artist's version of this song, but it's a good effort. (8/10)

Musiq's "Reasons" - Wow, Musiq. You dare to take it here??? Not for nothing, while Musiq pulls off the falsetto, of course not equalling Phillip's unforgettable performances (on TTWOTW or Gratitude, take your pick), it doesn't sound like Musiq at all, which is a bit of a problem. Let's say Pharrell one day decides he's going to go diaphragm. How would that affect his singing career? Maybe it's just me. I'm not the biggest Musiq fan anyway, but it's more his Stevie-esque style that gets my attention. (6/10)

Meshell's "Fantasy" - Whew! Wasn't expecting that kind of turn, but apparently I was able to muster enough suburbanite to actually feel this super-rock version of the EWF classic. I was with her all the way up until "As you stand...", because then the track strangely became settled in the music played during the verse, making the notes Meshell sang incompatible and pointless. I'm sorry, but a prerequisite to music I like is that the musicians actually play to the notes being sung. (6/10)

There's no denying the level of talent compiled on this disc, nor their sincerity in their respect, love and understanding of EWF music. I'd be intrigued to see some of these artists do more work with EWF in the future. However, don't purchase this album expecting to be tided over until the next EWF feast. Instead think of it as a hearty snack between meals. Without a doubt, there will never be an equal to the immensely talented and instrumentally endowed prequel to the Wu-Tang Clan that is EWF.