Sad news again. Boogie Wonderland and September were very much part of the soundtrack of my life at some point. RIP Maurice. 

Sad news indeed.  EWF was also my first concert and my first date!  RIP Maurice.

A great loss, another band who's music I grew up with. Remember seeing them at Wembley, fantastic live act.

Thanks for the memories and the music, be at peace Maurice.

Anyone care to suggest an album to try? Anything stand out that a newbie might enjoy?

That's the way of the world: Preferably in Impex reissue which sounds the best.

All'n'all: Danny Krivit remix of Brazilian Rhyme ( I could not find the short version )

Or get this EWF Greatest Hits Live in Japan CD which pretty much covers most of their hits. A great sound quality and turn it up in the room! Check out Sonny Emory's drum solo that goes on forever! This CD is one of our party favourite almost everyone starts dancing a minute I put it on.

0:00:00 01. September (McKay, White, Willis)
0:02:41 02. Let Your Feelings Show (Foster, White, Willis)
0:03:58 03. Let's Groove (Vaughn, White)
0:07:12 04. Sun Goddess (Lind, White)
0:12:50 05. Can't Hide Love (Scarborough)
0:16:15 06. Boogie Wonderland (Lind, Willis)
0:21:05 07. Fantasy (DelBarrio, White, White)
0:25:01 08. Reasons (Bailey, Stepney, White)
0:32:39 09. That's the Way of the World (Stepney, White, White)
0:38:03 10. Africano (Dunn, White)
0:43:58 11. I'll Write a Song for You (Bailey, Beckmeier, McKay)
0:47:26 12. Be Ever Wonderful (Dunn, White)
0:51:09 13. After the Love Has Gone (Champlin, Foster, Graydon)
0:55:50 14. Shining Star (Bailey, Dunn, White)
1:00:27 15. System of Survival (Skylark)
1:06:14 16. Sing a Song (McKay, White)
1:07:46 17. Devotion (Bailey, White)

overprint posted:

Anyone care to suggest an album to try? Anything stand out that a newbie might enjoy?

That's the Way of the World.... my favorite EWF album

I Am... After the Love is gone is a classic EWF track on this album

picked up a cheapo compilation of theirs called Dance Trax. Only CD which has the  wonderful extended 9 min  version of Boogie Wonderland. Soundtrack to my youth...

Sister xx

I always thought Spirit was a good album along with All n All, not forgetting Faces, which is very underrated IMO.

Great vocal harmonies with Philip Bailey and a great horn section in the 70's that later got on Phil Collins 80's solo efforts.

A truly great band.

I love Earth Wind and Fire. RIP.

Unfortunate fact that all these guys that survived the early excesses are reaching that point in their lives, when the grim reaper's alarm clock has gone off.

Have enjoyed EW&F over the years. RIP Maurice.

They must be having a great party! Thanks for the tunes Maurice.

That record doesn't have one of my favourite tracks of theirs, 'Got to get you into my life'.

I love Raise! myself, but all the 1970s albums are worth getting. The CBS Greatest Hits (The Best Of Earth Wind & Fire Vol 1) from 1978 has all the great early stuff and an early vinyl pressing can be picked up very cheaply. Vol 2 from 2000 is even better but as far as I know is only on CD.

There's also a 2-LP/1CD (the vinyl version is more comprehensive) Collection on K-Tel from 1986 which is a decent intro to a genius band.

maze posted:

I always thought Spirit was a good album along with All n All, not forgetting Faces, which is very underrated IMO.

Great vocal harmonies with Philip Bailey and a great horn section in the 70's that later got on Phil Collins 80's solo efforts.

A truly great band.

Have you heard Open Our Eyes from 1974 Maze? That is a friggin' genius record.

Yes Raise saw them back on form, open your eyes have it on vinyl Kevin, as you say their 70's output quite superb and original and of the time.

My top EWF:

• Open Your Eyes
• All'n'all
• Faces
• Powerlight
• That's the Way of the World

Gorgeous rich harmony of 'Feeling Blue' fro Open Your Eyes.

So sad to hear of Maurice White passing away. I absolutely loved EWF and the first album I heard by them was 'Spirit' which my late Sister bought. It made me realise I had to get a good music system to play it on and I did. I've still got the original vinyl copy from 1976 it's still mint just got to get a TT to play it on. Mind you I've got a reissue (1999) which is very good but I've been told better versions could be out there. 

I'm just playing a compilation I did earlier today. 

Brilliant . Thanks for the Music Maurice, God Bless You 

That's the way of the world....... played it on Vinyl only last week. Legendary, and a real part of my youth, both E.W.F and Maze, the first and likely best live gigs i've been to in London around 1980.

My top EWF 

1: Spirit 

2: All n All

3: That's The Way Of The World

4: I Am

5: Gratitude 

I have always loved EWF since a teenager. It seems many on here are of my age and too have a soft spot for this wonderful group of musicians. I always felt these blokes were a cut above yer average Pop of the time and back then Funk was new and exciting, still is today if you ask me. EWF simply became a part of my repertoire of music I have really appreciated in my 'formative years' and whenever I hear an EWF track, I stop, listen and reminisce! They will always be a part of the catalogue of music that is special to me.

Geez, I'm going on a bit. Nuff said. Maurice rest in peace.