When a band has been around long enough to have advanced from reel-to-reel to the digital-driven social media era, influencing countless musicians and racking up dozens of awards and accolades along the way, they usually feel tempted to reinvent themselves with each new project. However, every band is not the lauded and legendary Earth, Wind & Fire, so when the members returned to the studio for their 20th CD, Now, Then & Forever, the ‘back-to-basics’ sound was exactly what they were looking for, according to co-founder, songwriter and lead vocalist, Philip Bailey.

“It’s pretty ingrained within the mission statement of who we are and how we try to live.” Mr. Bailey related from his home base of California about ….Forever’s familiar feel and lesser number of outside writers and producers (in comparison to 2005’s Illumination). “Deviating from our classic sound would give our fans something to raise their eyebrows about and it wouldn’t be true to who we are.”

To cement the foundation of uplifting messages, plush arrangements and spiritually-infused soul grooves, Mr. Bailey—along with original players like percussionist Ralph Johnson and Verdine White—enlisted the guidance of another primary member, keyboardist Larry Dunn….(click here for the rest of the interview at soultracks.com)