No matter what gender, genre or generation one aligns themselves with, you would be hard-pressed to find a music lover who remains unmoved by Earth, Wind & Fire. For nearly half a century, this self-contained band has enthralled audiences around the world with sophisticated arrangements heavily steeped in jazz, funk, soul, gospel and even African influences that turned messages of love, unity, self-awareness and spirituality into timeless hits (“September,” “After The Love Is Gone,” “Devotion,” “Shining Star,” “Be Ever Wonderful,” “Reasons,” etc.). Today, as EW&F is one of popular music’s longest-enduring acts, and countless awards, astronomical unit sales (90 million and counting) and measureless impact on other performers remain a testament to the band’s vision and legacy.

With its leader publicly retired (founder Maurice White still contributes behind the boards but left touring due to Parkinson’s Disease) and the other original members Ralph Johnson, Verdine White and Philip Bailey well into middle age, no one would fault the trailblazers for exiting stage right altogether. Fortunately for their fanbase, though, to celebrate their 40th Anniversary – and four years after the Grammy-Award-nominated CD Illumination – the band wanted to return to their signature style with the release of their latest studio album, Now, Then & Forever.

In comparison to its predecessor, Now…. has less outside contributors….(click here for the exclusive full-length review at soultracks.com)