Earth Wind & Fire have been called “The Black Beatles”, and rightfully so. What sets them apart from The Commodores and Kool & The Gang, their biggest contemporary rivals, is their enormous vocal talent and the quality of their music.

Why would I spend so much time reviewing Earth Wind & Fire albums? I felt that the need existed. I find other reviews - where people apparently take a stack of albums home over the weekend - to be cynicism and not criticism. The numerous spelling errors and singles attributed to the wrong album that I come across indicate a lack of care. Earth Wind & Fire reviews deserve better and more in-depth treatment. Nonetheless, my ratings don’t vary enormously from the overall critical consensus, since I certainly ain’t no music critic or musician. These reviews weren’t conceived in a vacuum. They come from years of devouring all information concerning Earth Wind & Fire. They are a selective compilation of opinion, including my own.

Please don’t get bent out of shape about my sometimes stinging criticism. I don’t think that these would be legitimate reviews otherwise. Also, try to appreciate my use of language. For example, some purists could make the argument that Earth Wind & Fire really doesn’t play jazz, hence it is inaccurate to refer to some of their work as jazz. I suppose I could repeatedly use a phrase like “Earth Wind & Fire-jazz”, but this would grow tiresome.

Chronology is important. Besides the obvious things, I measure quality in terms of innovation, and that requires chronological and historical context. Also, I have decided to include the main solo work in my reviews (six albums by Philip Bailey, and one by Maurice White). However, I have decided to not include Philip Bailey’s four gospel albums, since I don’t feel qualified to offer a valid opinion on these.

So on this day, honoring the birthday of the great American and humanitarian Dr. Martin Luther King, I give you these products of tribute to The Mighty Elements of the Universe.