By: Earth Wind & Fire Average Rating: Binding: Audio CD Format: Extra tracks, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered Label: Sony Number of Discs: 1 Release Date: July 27, 1999
Amazon.com essential recording: Not exactly a concept album, All 'n All (1977) nevertheless was Earth, Wind & Fire's biggest attempt yet at making a big statement. With several interludes providing musical links--and cultural and spiritual heavies such as Shakespeare and Buddha depicted on an inside-cover spread--it had all the trappings of a major extravaganza, while keeping the songs at radio-friendly lengths. That those songs included the perfectly named "Serpentine Fire" and the Stevie Wonder-style brotherhood anthem "Fantasy" helped make the record one of EW&F's most popular: as of the mid '90s, 3 million copies had shipped. This sparkling remaster includes three bonus demo, live, and alternate-mix cuts. --Rickey Wright
E.W.F.'s 1977 masterpiece ALL N'ALL People tend to use the words "classic" or "masterpiece" too sparingly these days.In the case of "All N'All",I believe both of those words actually apply.During 1977,the band was in peak form all the way around,and they nailed everything to a T on this album.If you don't believe me,put some decent headphones on and listen to "Serpentine Fire" or "Fantasy".But wait,there's still "Love's Holiday","I'll Write A Song For You",the Grammy winning "Runnin'" and "Be Ever Wonderful".Any true EWF fan knows the interludes "Beijo" & "Ponta De Aria" (Both named "Brazilian Rhyme" on the vinyl LP.)To me this is EWF at their best.Other people have other opinions but oh well.On a scale from 1 to ten,I would easily give this album a 11! No qualms about it.After this album,the elements leaned more toward the pop side.
Bottom line,I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ALBUM!!!! VERY ESSENTIAL EWF LISTENING.
The Pinnacle and Crown Jewel of EWF! I can still go back and hear things in the arrangements I missed 31 years ago! A fine testament to the songwriting, performance, recording and musicianship that Earth, Wind & Fire accomplished on this masterpiece studio album.
This is wonderful music vibrant with colors and imagery, with so many styles filtrating its bare bones of funk fusing blues, soul, jazz, Brazilian and African (kalimba), this is R&B in its ultimate potential. All `N All is a true journey for the ear track after track, and should be the first in your collection.
Rich harmonies, outstanding arrangements, awesome use of fusing styles of music while staying true to funk and R&B, phenomenal songwriting, excellent track flow, tight musicianship all spells up to an enduring masterpiece that forever remains a classic.
The only thing that could make this a step up from perfection (because they got it right the first time) is having it digitally remastered. It truly deserves it like years ago.
Thirty years after...an evergreen masterpiece This is probably the best album EW&F has ever made, and surely one of the best albums in the contemporary music history. The remarkable quality and the amazing variety of this music can still fill your soul, thirty years after the album's release. A powerful merge of funk, rock, R&B, jazz and even "world music" (many years before that this particular definition could become friendly to us). The band gathered very talented musicians, and while you're listening this album you can understand that all the right elements were there in the right balance. Just to think about how much the music world is changed, it's curious to think that a wonderful song like "Fantasy" was commonly considered by many listeners how a seasonable "disco" tune, when the album has been released. Choosing among a track list filled by rare gems, my favorite song has always been the stellar-funk "Jupiter". I believe that you'll never have the opportunity to listen a marvellous horns section like this, in today's pop music! Actually, i fall in love with this band since the first time that i've heard "Jupiter" on the radio, in that far 1977...and it's been a lifetime love, born at the first sight. "All 'N All" it's simply EW&F's music at its peak, within their golden musical period that span from "That's The Way Of The World" to the '80 double LP "Faces" (that was another of my favorites EW&F's albums).
(4.5 stars) Debatably their best studio album I think this is supposed to be a concept album, though the only things that make me think that are the two mercifully brief, stupid interlude pieces that serve no purpose whatsoever. Seriously, why? Look, Maurice, we know you're like the only guy in America who can play kalimba! Or even knows how to properly pronounce it! But let's forget all about the segues and focus on the actual songs. Some of the best EWF ever put out, right here. "Jupiter" lets their horn section blow all over the place, and it's a blast; "Serpentine Fire" is funky and has a fantastic vocal melody (and a great title!); "Magic Mind" is one of their most energetic songs. Meanwhile, "I'll Write a Song for You"; "Love's Holiday" and "Fantasy" are schmaltzy but irresistible love songs - "Love's Holiday" also has a wonderful Al McKay guitar solo. That guy could play, all right. And "I'll Write a Song for You" is sweetly orchestrated and has a cool acoustic guitar line and amazing falsetto from Bailey; while "Fantasy" is almost classical music. The album totally loses it on the last two tracks, though - one an endless jam that's still brimming with energy ("Runnin'"), the other a mediocre ballad with a nice sax part ("Be Ever Wonderful"). Still, this is arguably the group's greatest album, segues, weaker songs and all.
The most complete EW&F recording without doubt! I was a 16 years old boy, browsing in a Virgin Record store in London's West End when I first heard this album in full. I listened in stunned awe at this amazing recording by EW&F, the production by Maurice White & engineering by George Massenburg left me breathless. The musicianship was beyond belief, the fat chunky rhythm guitar work of Al McKay was infectious, Larry Dunn's piano & Moog spell-binding, Verdine White's lyrical bass, Johnny Graham straight to the heart blues guitar, the crisp drum sound & in the pocket chops of Ralph Johnson, Maurice & Fred White, the angelic & ethereal voices of Philip Bailey & Maurice White. The impossible horn arrangements throughout ALL N' ALL set the standard & have'nt been equalled since.
There is'nt a weak song to be found anywhere on this album that fuses everything from African rhythms, funk, jazz, samba, soul, folk, blues & even classical. Brotherly affirmations of love, tenderness & devotion. Embrace this blessed work!
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
