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Earth Wind & Fire: Millennium

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s

Artist: Earth Wind & Fire
Title: Millennium
Released: 1993
Label: WEA Records
Time: 63:57
Producer(s): Maurice White, Bill Meyers, Freddie Rave
Appears with:
Category: Pop/Rock
Rating: ******.... (6/10)
Media type: CD
Purchase date:  1999
Price in €: 8,99
Web address: www.earthwindandfire.com

 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


[1] Even If You Wonder (Brown/Cohen) - 4:39
[2] Sunday Morning (Reynolds/White) - 4:37
[3] Blood Brothers - 5:22 (Brown/Lind 4)
[4] Kalimba Interlude (White) - 0:29
[5] Spend the Night (Thomas) - 4:23
[6] Divine (Bailey/Barken) - 4:32
[7] Two Hearts (Bacharach/Bailey) - 5:05
[8] Honor the Magic (Ravel/White) - 3:03
[9] Love Is the Greatest Story (Freenberg/Lawrenc) - 4:36
[10] L Word (Brown/Lind) - 4:32
[11] Just Another Lonely Night (Stokes/Stokes) - 4:36
[12] Superhero (Prince) - 4:08
[13] Wouldn't Change a Thing About You (Bailey/Blue) - 4:45
[14] Love Across the Wire (Bailey/Bell) - 3:31
[15] Chicago (Chi-Town) Blues (Brown/Lind) - 4:58
[16] Kalimba Blues (White) - 2:39

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l


Earth Wind & Fire:
Maurice White - Percussion, Vocals, Kalimba
Philip Bailey - Vocals
Verdine White - Bass, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Sheldon M. Reynolds - Guitar, Andrew Woolfolk - Saxophone
Ralph Johnson - Percussion
Percussion, Keyboards, Programming, Vocals, Vocals (Background)

Earth Wind & Fire Horns:
Gary Bias - Saxophone
Ray Brown - Trumpet
Reggie Young - Trombone

Gerald Albright - Saxophone
Bill Meyers - Synthesizer, Programming, Horn Arrangements
Freddie Ravel - Synthesizer, Arranger
Bill Reichenbach - Trombone
Burt Bacharach - Keyboards
Bruce Dukov - Trombone, Violin, Concert Master
Michael Thompson - Bass, Guitar
Sid Page - Violin
Robert Becker - Viola
Thom Bell - Keyboards
Frankie Blue - Synthesizer, Producer
Nicholas Brown - Synthesizer, Keyboards
Ronald Clark - Violin
Brad Cole - Synthesizer
Larry Corbett - Cello
Tim Cornwell - Percussion
Paulinho Da Costa - Percussion
Stephen Erdody - Cello
Henry Ferber - Violin
Armen Garabedian - Violin
Berj Garabedian - Violin
Claude Gaudette - Keyboards
Endre Granat - Violin
Gary Grant - Trumpet
Mick Guzauski - Mixing
Steve Hall - Mastering Clayton Haslop - Violin
Jeffrey Hey - Trumpet, Arranger, Horn Arrangements
Dan Higgins - Trumpet, Saxophone
Suzie Kattayama - Cello
Roland Kato - Viola
Peter Kent - Violin
David Lawrence - Keyboards
Dimitrie Leivici - Violin
Mike McKnight - Programming
Barbara Porter - Trombone, Violin
Sheldon Reynolds - Guitar, Vocals
Rex Salas - Bass, Keyboards, Programming, drum programming
Haim Shtrum - Violin
Darnell Spencer - Bass, Programming, drum programming
Jorge Strunz - Guitar
Tuscanini - Keyboards
Larry Williams - Saxophone
Herschel Wise - Viola
Don Wyatt - Guitar, Keyboards
Suzie Katayama - Cello
Michael "Patches" Stewart - Trumpet
Nick Brown - Synthesizer, Keyboards
William Reichenbach - Trombone

Freddie Ravel - Producer, Arrangement
Frankie Blue - Producer, Arrangement
Bill Meyers - Producer, Arrangement
Thomas Washington - Arrangement
Darnell Spencer - Arrangement
Rex Salas - Arrangement
Mike McKnight - Arrangement
Jerry Hey - Arrangement
Nicky Brown - Arrangement
Vachik Aghaniantz - Mixing
Anas Allaf - Mixing Assistant
Ray Blair - Assistant Engineer
Keith Cohen - Mixing
Guy DeFazio - Engineer
Jeff Graham - Mixing Assistant
Judy Kirschner - Assistant Engineer
Paul Klingberg - Engineer
Lee Watters - Assistant Engineer
Kim Champagne - Art Direction
Tom Daugherty - Mixing Assistant
Mark Fergesen - Assistant Engineer
Keith Kresge - Assistant Engineer
Terry Reiff - Assistant Engineer
Richard Salvato - Coordination
Tadanori Yokoo - Illustrations
Reiko Yoshida - Art Coordinator
Thomas Washington - Arranger

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s


US: Reprise 45274-2
EUR: Reprise 9362-45274-2
JAP: Warner Bros. WPCP 5500



Who says you can only live twice? Left for dead in 1990 after "Heritage", Earth Wind & Fire made a move to return to the sound from their heyday with 1993's "Millennium". This album was a gift to their loyal fans, and the faithful appreciated it. The electronics were put in their proper place, resulting in a more natural and sincere recording. For the first time since 1980's "Faces" you hear significant orchestration, and yet the album is still very electronic; they hadn't completely shed the influence of the technological age. In fact, there are a few cuts that would sound at home on "Heritage" (but if so included would have been the high points of that album).

"Millennium" enjoys a refreshing start at the opening cut "Even If You Wonder". Also featured is their best single in a long time and the choice album cut, the Grammy nominated "Sunday Morning". It's not deep musically, but the strong sound of chorus brings back fond memories. Ditto for "Bloodbrothers" and "Wouldn't Change A Thing About You". The former was released as a CD single in Japan with extended version of "Superhero", and the otherwise unreleased "Frontline Of Seduction". (CDBanzai has it for an absurd $27.) Philip's "Divine" sounds like it belongs on his next self-titled solo album. The pleasant ballads "Just Another Lonely Heart" and "Two Hearts" are deceptive: they are very synthesized. Unfortunately, these both end just as Philip starts to stretch out.

Overall, there are plenty of winners on this album, like the second release, the lovely ballad "Spend The Night", and the Latin "Honor The Magic", in spite of its obsolete lyrics. Also hot are the Stylistics-inspired "Love Across The Wire", and Maurice White's "Chicago (Chi-Town) Blues", the story of his early Chicago musical career. The rest of the album is consistently interesting and very good, and doesn't flatten out as it progresses as have some previous EW&F albums.

Guitarist Sheldon Reynolds became more important for "Millennium", moving into the number three vocal spot behind Maurice and Philip. A wide range of contributors were featured, such as Burt Bacharach ("Two Hearts"), Freddie Ravel ("Honor The Magic"), Prince ("Superhero"), Ronnie Laws ("Chicago (Chi-Town) Blues") and Thom Bell ("Love Across The Wire").

Although it is an interesting mix of EW&F and Prince sound, I certainly expected more from EW&F's collaboration with Prince on his "Superhero", even though its better than the original. Maybe its because whatever-his-name-is-currently isn't as amazing as everyone thinks. Overall, "Millennium" is very nice and even, although not outstanding, and certainly not among their best or most daring musically. New drummer Sonny Emory doesn't appear, and unfortunately synth drums abound. At this point, Sonny was not really a member of the studio band even though his association with EW&F goes back to 1987.

EW&F still suffered from the problem which first surfaced in 1979's "I Am", namely too many outside contributors, which blurs the band's identity. It's not clear who, besides Maurice, Philip, Verdine and Sheldon, are actual band members. Ralph Johnson and Andrew Woolfolk are listed as band members, but appear nowhere in the song credits.

Also, "Millennium" isn't an innovation; it just returned them to a point at which they'd already been. I liken this album to 1980's "Faces". These albums are somewhat similar in length, content and quality. In terms of its mixture of acoustic and electronic, I liken "Millennium" to 1983's "Powerlight". And yet, while I receive "Millennium" with nostalgia, "Faces" and "Powerlight" seemed redundant at the time. This is one point where chronology is critically important. "Millennium" may have gotten a lower rating if it had been released at a different time, but gets a good rating since it was released after the unsuccessful 1980s. It also means that I certainly don't agree with many of the reviews that I have read for this album.

What happened next would be crucial. Most super groups reach far fewer crossroads in their career than EW&F. Would they continue their growth, or would they try for the homogenized pop gimmicks that, in the past, were often disastrous?

However, a much more serious problem emerged in 1993. If you look at the part of the website called "concerning Maurice's health", you'll find some information. An appearance on "The Arsenio Hall Show" and subsequently on the "American Music Awards Show" to promote "Millennium" seems to confirm this. This problem apparently surfaced after "Millennium" was recorded since Maurice is in top vocal form on this album. Certainly, there was concern about the future of EW&F's music, but at this point, its hard not to be more concerned about the man. EW&F has not been forthcoming with the nature of Maurice's problem, but the man deserves his privacy. He must, however, understand that the concern his fans feel is a response to the way in which he has touched their lives.

The end seemed clear. Even if someone could replace the co-lead vocal, not to mention the heart & soul of EW&F, who would be able to replace the best producer in pop? It would be really hard to call any incarnation without Maurice, "EW&F". So, ironically, things ended on "Chi-town Blues". As it turns out, "Millennium" is a worthy ending to a brilliant story.

"Millennium" quickly faded, and it appeared that EW&F was finished for the third time in a decade, and finally for good. Not just yet!

RJM



Since the mid-1980s, Earth, Wind & Fire's output had been erratic and quite uneven. One never knew whether the veteran soul/funk band would come out with something as impressive as Share the World or something as embarrassing as Heritage. After many years with Columbia, EWF switched to Warner Bros. -- ironically, a label that gave Maurice White and friends the boot back in 1972 -- with Millennium. While Heritage found EWF bending over backwards to appeal to urban contemporary tastes, sounding unnatural and even silly in the process, Millennium is a more honest and organic recording. Though hardly in a class with That's The Way Of The World or Spirit -- or for that matter, Share The World -- Millennium is a decent offering that finds the crew being true to itself. Much of the material, especially "Sunday Morning," "Chicago (Chi-Town) Blues" and "Honor the Magic," is fairly memorable. Unfortunately, the urban contemporary audience wasn't receptive to EWF's honesty. As influential as EWF had been, and as often as it had been sampled in hip-hop, the group was treated like it was expendable.

Alex Henderson, All-Music Guide  
 

 L y r i c s


EVEN IF YOU WONDER

Nothin' but a dance... baby that's for certain
Take another glance... (at) what's behind the curtain
Sweet mystery is calling

Simple truth is right before your eyes
Don't you think it's time you realize...
You and me belong together
Right or wrong forever and a day

Chorus:
Even if you wonder
Love is still the game
Even if you wonder
Every time

Take it from the top... where the cream is risin'
Never gonna stop... you're too tantalizin'
How can you keep me waiting?

Higher love is not above the law
Got to put my faith in what I saw
Try your best to rearrange them
Some, things, baby, never gonna change

Chorus (repeat)

You and me belong together
Right or wrong forever and a day

Chrorus


SUNDAY MORNING

Intro Chorus:
Ooh, Sunday morning
You;re gonna find my love shining on you

Oh, I'm waiting
And my heart is anticipating
Your face
On my pillow
Feel sunshine pouring through the window

Like the grapes on the vine
Love gets sweeter with time
You were made to love

Chorus:
Ooh, Sunday morning (I'll see you Sunday morning)
Ooh, Sunday morning
It's like the best of everything falling on you

Your eyes
Shining on me
You're the brightest star, that ever could be
Your kiss
Oh, I'm so thankful
The love that we share, I'm sincerely grateful

The wind blowin' in the tree
Singing love songs to me
Singing you were made to love

Chorus:
Ooh, Sunday morning (I'll see you Sunday morning)
You're gonna find my love shining on you
Ooh, Sunday morning
It's like the best of everything falling on you

Ooh, Sunday morning (I'll see you Sunday morning)
When we shared sweet love like no other

Ooh, Sunday morning
Like a summer day with your lover
Ooh Sunday morning (I'll see you Sunday morning)
When we shared sweet love like no other


BLOOD BROTHERS

So my friend
Voices from the past reunite at last
Back when we grew up on the streets
The world was at our feet

Do you recall the two of us
How we used th sing when everything
Was new to us

From the time that we were old
Enough to stand
It was you and I together to the end

Oh, what our souls believe we will
Always be
Blood brothers time can't divide
What our hearts have said with a
Drop of red
Blood brothers till the end

Through these years
Time has not been kind to others left behind
These streets where you and I once played
Nothing's left today

What happened to the dreams we shared
Do we just go on like it was
Never there

Do I tell you that there's hope beyond
These walls
That to help you I'd do anything at all

What our souls believe we will
Always be
Blood brothers time can't divide
What our hearts have said with a
Drop of red
Blood brothers, the bond we made never
Will break
Blood brothers to the end


KALIMBA INTERLUDE

(Instrumental)


SPEND THE NIGHT

You're like no one else that I have loved before
There's a certain something in my heart
For the first time in my life I know for sure
You're the love that I've been looking for

A few unsettled differences is where we stand
With a little effort we can them out
I just want to hold you in my arms again
Find it in your heart to let me in

Chorus:
I want to spend the night with you
Make love like we used to do
Oh, I want to feel a fire within
I want to fall in love again
After we get through
I want to spend the night with you

There's a full moon shining in the sky above
Let's don't waste this night on sad goodbyes
After all it's you that I've been dreaming of
Let's give into making up

Chorus (repeat)


DIVINE

You're a mystery, you're a true work of art
Like an answered prayer, like a light in the dark
Ooh, I'm in ecstasy when you're next to me
It's the closest thing to heaven I could be

Tell me everything about you
Wanna get into your mind
Thinking this could be forever
Day and night, rain or shine

Chorus 1:
Divine
Girl, the way you know you make my sunshine
From the shadows you can make the moon climb
Ooh, the way you're loving me is so divine

I'm remembering how the night was so clear
You were whispering "I'm so glad you are here"
I've always heard that love makes a man feel bliss
But I never dreamed that I could feel like this

Everything about you, baby
Got the full effect on me
Never seen a woman made so perfectly you must be

Chorus 2:
Divine
Girl, the way you know you make my sunshine
From the shadows you can make the moon climb
Ooh, the way you're loving me
you're right on time

Divine
Something that these words could never describe
How I feel about you day and night time
Everything about you girl is divine

Bridge:
Baby, here in my arms
Let the night linger on
'Cause the magic of love is ours tonight
Givin' strength to my life
'Cause the lovin' is right
Tell me, are you an angel, baby

Chorus 2


TWO HEARTS

All my life I've been told
Men don't show much emotion
And they say
With love we play
Games that have no devotion

Now I'm the type to fall in love
Every morning
Stay right here
Girl, don't you fear
I'll never hurt you

For your love
There is nothing that I wouldn't do
Here's my heart
Wanna live my life with you
Yes I do, yes I do, yes I do
Spend all my days and nights
Always lovin' you, so baby

Chorus:
Two hearts
Can't stop
Love's feelings
That's deeper every moment we're living
Can't stop this lovin' feeling

Every time I look at you
You remind me of heaven
Stars at night are in your light
I say that I'm crazy

For your love
There is nothing that I wouldn't do
Here's my heart
Wanna live my life with you
Yes I do, yes I do, yes I do
Spend all my days and nights
Always lovin' you, so baby

Bridge:
When we're face to face
Love is a blessing
No one can control
No matter what they say
Love is a lesson
I won't let you go

Chorus:
Can't stop this lovin' feeling
Lady, don't stop
Do me the same way, baby
Start from the top
Lost in this lovin' feeling
Can't hide this lovin' feeling

(Repeat)


HONOR THE MAGIC

Hold on to your spirit
Always feel your soul
Honor the magic
In your heart

Aa family we're part of
Everlasting hope
Bringing the magic
Giving that tender love

Through ups and downs
You've got to
Hold on to your spirit
Always feel that love and
Music's everlasting

Giving of your heart so tender
Warfamily, let's surrender
In our heart and soul
There's joy and laughter

Heart so tender
Love surrender
Our hearts are filled with
Joy and laughter


LOVE IS THE GREATEST STORY

(I) walk around, and take it all in
Tell me now, where have I been?
Nothin' like reality
To get your mind in gear

Lived my life to the extreme
A lost road to my dream
Found true reality
And now my mind is clear

I found out today
Love's a better way
In my heart I learned to listen
I was wrong to stray
Won't you let me stay
You and I, baby, that's what's missin'

Chorus:
Love is, love is
Love is the greatest story
Love is, love is
Love is the power and glory

Runnin' hard, from my past
I was goin' nowhere fast
Lookin' for a guarantee
My mind was so unclear
Played around, but never played smart
Never listen to my heart
Didn't know that your love
Was right here waiting for me

I found out today
Love's the only way
Baby let us stay together
I was wrong
But my heart is strong
I'm loving you forever and ever

Chorus

Love is in my plan
No greater love, than
What I've grown to understand
About being a man

Chorus


THE "L" WORD

I climb in bed
She's distracted
Flipping pages
Asking for the matches
Cigarette smoke hangs
Just like a curtain
That makes me wonder
Is her love for certain?

I see the truth now
She gave me the blues today
She turns the lights out
Whenever I want to play

Chorus:
(L.O.V.E.) She don't get the message
All I ever wanted was your love
All I ever wanted was your love

Our love is dyin'
On the cold sheets
My body aching
To warm a heart with no heat
Just a whisper
Of the "L" word
Makes her shiver
She touches love with cold feet

In her heart lies the naked truth
I could use today
She turns the lights out
Before my heart can say...

Chorus

Bridge:
L's the word that I heard
From your lips, your hips, your fingertips
L's the word in the wind
Love has touched my heart again
L's the word to be heart
From your lips, your hips, your fingertips

Chorus

Bridge

Vamp 1:
(L.O.V.E.)

Vamp 2:
(L.O.V.E.)
(L's the word that I heard)
(L's the word that I heard)
(L's the word that I heard)
(L's the word that I heard)
(from your lips, your hips, your fingertips)
(from your lips, your hips, your fingertips)

Vamp


JUST ANOTHER LONELY NIGHT

Intro:
Lonely night, just one lonely night
Without you
Lonely night, just one lonely night
Without you

I remember that could September
You packed your bags and you went away
You were my only love
But you were searching for
A better life in L.A.

Oh this loneliness I'm feeling
Has got my body chilling
I'm in need of your touch
Won't you rescue my desire
I long to feel your fire
I'm in need of your love

Chorus:
Just another night
Just another lonely night
Without you, baby
Just another night
Just another lonely night
Without you, baby

Cloudy skies look like they're here to stay
And the sun no longer lights up my day
I wish the phone would ring
Such joy your voice would bring
I miss the stars that shine my way

Is there someone else in your heart
Thrilling you with his charms
While I'm lying here alone
We never seem to meet
Down this rocky road of love
Can't you see it's you I'm thinking of

Chorus

Bridge:
My days are cold
And my nights are so lonely
I'm like a bird without a song
Like the saying goes
There's too many fish in the sea
Deep down inside I knew
That you were meant for me

Chorus (repeat)


SUPER HERO

Chorus:
I will be your Super Hero
But U must understand
If I'm 2 be your Super Hero
U must give me half a chance
Listen 2 my band

I am born unto pverty and fear
I am scorned yet I hold back my tears
There's so much I can and
Will and want 2 do
But I cannot until I get through 2 U

Chorus

I am lucky if I learn 2 read and write
Where I live U must first learn 2 stand and fight
I'm the product of the system, I'm aware
What's my name, don't matter-nobody cares

Chorus

I understand U need me if U ever 2 war
But I don't understand if I buy the goods
Why I can't own the store
Don't tell me that I am not worthy
After 400 years overtime

If it's yours then tell me
Why can't it be mine
I am just as good as U or any kind
And there's so much I can
And will and want 2 do
But I cannot until I get through 2 U

Chorus

Give us what U give your brothers
Then U'll understand
That I won't be your Super Hero
Until U give us all U can now-now!

Chorus


WOULDN'T CHANGE A THING ABOUT YOU

If I were king and I ruled the world
I would make it safe for the boys and girls
There's so much I would do
But I wouldn't change a thing about you

If the summer could last till spring
Or a fallen sparrow could sprout
new wings
Then I'd change that too
But I wouldn't change a thing about you.

All the love that you've been giving
All the joy that we've been living
through
I wouldn't change a thing about you

Bridge:
Too little love and too much hate
When times get tough
Looking for something 'cause
I just can't get enough
But when I'm feeling down
You're there to see me through
I wanna hold ya, touch ya
Give you love all the time
'Cause when I'm with you, girl
I feel like the world is mine
Tell you baby, there's nothing
I wouldn't do for you

The sun comes out when I hear your name
I get butterfiles, do you feel the same?
That's what love can do
No, I wouldn't change a thing about you

In this imperfect world we're living
Perfect love like ours is rare, it's true
No, I wouldn't change a thing about you

Bridge

If I were king and I ruled the world
I would make it safe for the boys and girls
There's so much I would do
But I wouldn't change a thing about you

All the love that you've been giving
All the joy that we've been
living through
I wouldn't change a thing about you

la la la la
la la la la
I wouldn't change a thing about you


LOVE ACROSS THE WIRE

Girl, I wonder where you are
So I close my eyes and dream
about you, baby
And I wonder do you feel
Me a million miles away
'Cause I've been needing

Chorus:
To send
Love across the wire to the only one
My heart is waiting for
I send
Love accross the wire
Tell here I'll be here
Until she's in my loving arms
It won't be long

Just a few more weeks from home
So I call you on the phone
To say I love you
Gonna send a card a day
All the time that I'm away
I miss you madly

Chorus:
I send
Love accross the wire to the only one
My heart is waiting for
I send
Love across the wire
Tell her I'll be here
Until she's in my loving arms
It won't be long

Bridge:
Gonna kiss and hold you tight
Love you girl with all my might
Nothing's gonna change my love
No one else can love you like I do

Chorus:
I send
Love accross the wire to the only one
my heart is waiting for
I send
love across the wire, tell her I'll be here
Until she's in my loving arms
(repeat)


CHICAGO (CHI-TOWN) BLUES

Booker T's at the front door
Saying it's time to go
Coltrane's at the mother blues tonight
63rd to southshore
We're cruising in the Dyna-Flo
Ain't no way they let us play, but then
they might

Fourteen years not a one day more, yeah
Struttin' my stuff up and down the floor
Haven't you heard this groove before?

Chorus 1:
Ba da bop ba dee-ah ba dee-ah
Ba da bop bop ba do-ah do-ay
I'll never lose chicago blues
Ba da bop bop ba do-ah do-ay

We tried to be cool, yeah
Flat tops up stove-pipes down
Finding out the good stuff
You never gonna learn in school
Comes easy in this part of town

I brought my sticks, we're sittin' in, all night
Better be quick, gotta hold on tight
It's gonna be a real jam down delight

Chorus 2:
Ba da bop ba dee-ah ba dee-ah
Ba da bop bop ba do-ah do-ay
I'll never lose chicago blues
Send that drummer home and
let me play (repeat)

Ba da bop ba dee-ah ba dee-ah
Ba da bop bop ba do-ah do-ay
Ee-yay ee-yeay ee-yay ee-yay
Ba da bop bop ba do-ah do-ay

Ba dee-ah ba dee-ah
Ee-yay ee-yeay ee-yay ee-yay
Ba da bop bop ba do-ah do-ay


KALIMBA BLUES

(Instrumental)
 

 M P 3   S a m p l e s


Currently no Samples available!