Electric Universe [Bonus Tracks]

by Earth, Wind & Fire

Overview

Commercially, Earth, Wind & Fire were slipping in 1983. Though a decent album, Powerlight wasn't the type of big seller EWF was used to. Maurice White responded with a change of direction that proved to be both a commercial and artistic fiasco. Working with very in-demand (and very formula-oriented) studio figures like Martin Page and David Foster, EWF went for a much slicker and more high-tech approach on the weak and disappointing Electric Universe. White saw that synthesizers and drum machines were playing more and more of a role in both R&B and pop, and wanted to acknowledge technology's impact on music with this album. But EWF usually ends up sounding insincere and even sterile. The type of synth-funk that worked so well for the System doesn't work for EWF. A few of the songs are interesting (including "Electric Kingdom" and the single "Magnetic"), but they don't prevent Electric Universe from being EWF's weakest album ever. When this release flopped, EWF's members temporarily went their separate ways, with Philip Bailey and Maurice White concentrating on solo careers. [A 2015 CD re-release added eight bonus demos and remixes.] ~ Alex Henderson

Product Details

Release Date:	09/29/2017
Label:	Funky Town Grooves
UPC:	0810736021725
Rank:	30694

Tracks

1. Magnetic
2. Touch
3. Moonwalk
4. Could It Be Right
5. Spirit of a New World
6. Sweet Sassy Lady
7. We're Living in Our Own Time
8. Electricnation
9. Magnetic [Extended Dance Remix]
10. Magnetic [Instrumental]
11. Magnetic [version]
12. Spirit of a New World [Demo Version]
13. El Solitario (We're Living in Our Own Time) [Demo Version]
14. Here's to Love [Instrumental]
15. Club Foot
16. Milky Way

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Earth, Wind & Fire   Primary Artist
Philip Bailey   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
John Gilston   Simmons Drums
Michel Colombier   Keyboards
Beloyd Taylor   Vocals (Background)
Robbie Buchanan   Synthesizer
David Foster   Keyboards
Pam Hutchinson   Vocals (Background)
Wanda Vaughn   Vocals (Background)
Wayne Vaughn   Keyboards
Maurice White   Drums,Vocals,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Maurice White   Composer,Producer
Michel Colombier   Composer
Mick Guzauski   Engineer,Remixing
B. Fairweather   Composer
D. O'Connor   Composer
David Porter   Composer
Robbie Buchanan   Synthesizer Programming
David Foster   Composer
George Massenburg   Remixing
Murray Dvorkin   Assistant Engineer
Phil Fewsmith   Portraits
David Coleman   Cover Design,Illustrations
Brian Fairweather   Composer,Synthesizer Programming
Barbara Rooney   Assistant Engineer
Desmond O'Connor   Composer
Wayne Vaughan   Composer
Lame Donald   Art Direction
Allee Willis   Composer
Bernie Grundman   Mastering
J. Lind   Composer
Jon Lind   Composer
Jay Graydon   Songwriter
Wanda Vaughn   Composer
Wayne Vaughn   Composer,Producer
Jerry Hey   Synthesizer Arrangements
Lisa Vaughn   Composer
Martin Page   Composer,Synthesizer Programming