The Vision of Maurice White – Earth, Wind & Fire

EWF's 30th Anniversary

 
 
From Billboard Magazines July 14, 2001,  issue celebrating Earth, Wind & Fire’s 30th Anniversary, written by Gail Mitchell. 
 
What I love about this interview is the symbiotic nature of Maurice White founder and creative guide to the band, but when he describes Earth, Wind & Fire and the band’s sound and influence, he uses the words “we” “we’ve accomplished,” and “our.” 
 
This is a cool acknowledgement from Maurice that he recognized the contribution that many other men and women contributed to the EWF sound Earth,, and visual representation of the group.
 
We got you Maurice, and we all will continue to share your vibe.  
 
 #MauriceWhite
#TheVisionofMauriceWhite
#KeepitgoingEWF

David Foster Honoring Maurice White:

“There is also someone here tonight, a man who taught me more about making music, about decency, about calmness, about well being, and about the true spirit of music than any other human being on the planet
 
The least of his accomplishments is that he is my mentor.  Every single artist since this man trailblazed owes him a debt whether it’s Prince, Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, Kanye and Jay Z.
 
I finally have the chance to publicly thank the man who has given the world so much.  Maurice White, my hero, my mentor, and a true American treasure.” -David Foster.
 
Share your vibe.  
 
 #MauriceWhite
#TheVisionofMauriceWhite
#KeepitgoingEWF
#KalimbaProductions

White Hot!

“We live now in a new age dawning upon computer technology, higher consciousness, higher elevation of space, and higher ideas.  In this age the true essence of sharing should be acknowledged.” -Maurice White 
 
When Maurice wrote those poignant words in 1980, no one could predict the impact of social media, streaming, technology, and how the information delivered and received by us are actual facts, and something more than what we see in the world today. 
 
Our goal is to ensure that Maurice continues to have a voice, and use his words and music to remind us all that he formed Earth, Wind & Fire in his likeness, heart and soul.

Grooving’ With The Master of Funk

In his October 1987 “Electronic Musicians” interview. Maurice White, covered a series of topics regarding his recording philosophy.  Below is a follow 
-up question from the interviewer, Michael Molenda to Reese for his thoughts on vocals when adding music ideas in recording process. 
 
MM: “Inexperienced producers always seem to want everything “talking” at once.
 
Maurice White: I think what happens is that it’s so easy to program certain things, that some people just want to hear every single one of their great ideas.  But my thing is all about trying to craft records for the listener.  I want to create something that will be appealing to people’s ears .
 
That’s the reason I like to balance everything out.  This is why the mix is very important, too.  
 
You can certainly record parts that counteract the vocal lines-and those parts can actually help by giving the track more energy-but you need to keep them in the back of the mix to ensure the vocals can be clearly heard.  
 
Sometimes a little EQ tweak or a level adjustment will separate other parts from the main line you want the listener to hear.  The parts are still there, but they’re perceived on a more subliminal level.

Faces

Earth, Wind & Fire’s outstanding album “Faces,” was released on October 14, 1980.  An outstanding 41 year tour around the world for this gem produced by Maurice White for Kalimba Productions. 
 
The photo is an original poster that was included with the purchase of the album.   Photo Credit: Jim Shea Photography.  Does anyone still have their poster?

Maurice White reflects on EWF’s 30th Anniversary in music

“The founder of Earth, Wind & Fire reflects on the group’s longevity and reveals what makes it sound so successful.” — From Billboard Magazines July 14, 2001, issue celebrating Earth, Wind & Fire’s 30th Anniversary.  Written by Gail Mitchell. 
 
Maurice White:
We’ve accomplished so much in the sense of getting into people’s soul, bringing something meaningful to the masses.  Growing up in Memphis, I loved all kind’s of music- gospel, soul, jazz, rock, R&B-and I tried to instill that in the songs we did.

“All ‘N All”

On November 21, 2018,  Earth, Wind & Fire marked the 41th anniversary of “All ‘n All,” which was produced by Maurice White for Kalimba Productions.
 
Production Assistants: Verdine White and Larry Dunn.  Engineering and Remixing by George Massenburg.  Additional Engineering by Warren Dewey, and Assistant Engineer: Jack Rouben.—Album Design: Roger Carpenter; Illustration: Shusei Nagaoka.

"All 'N All" Inner Gatefold

The inner gatefold from the album “All ‘N All”.  Illustrated by Shusei Nagaoka.  Art Director for EWF-Roger Carpenter.  

Do you Remember

The Song That Never Ends: Why Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” Sustains
 
The story of the song begins in 1978. Allee Willis was a struggling songwriter in LA — until the night she got a call from Maurice White, the leader of Earth, Wind & Fire. White offered her the chance of a lifetime: to co-write the band’s next album. Willis arrived at the studio the next day hoping it wasn’t some kind of cosmic joke.
 
“As I open the door, they had just written the intro to ‘September.’ And I just thought, ‘Dear God, let this be what they want me to write!’ Cause it was obviously the happiest-sounding song in the world,” Willis says.
 
September 19,2014
NPR Music-

The Classic Nine and Phenix Horns


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