Maps of Music

Faces (1980)

Where the lyrics of Faces take you, and where it was really made.

The album was partly recorded on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, and it was the last album with guitarist Al McKay.

Key places

AIR Studios, Montserrat (1980)

Recording site AIR Studios Montserrat — Part of Faces was recorded at AIR Studios on Montserrat, the Caribbean island listed in the album's recording credits. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Davlen Sound Studios (1980)

Recording site Schnee Studio — Davlen Sound Studios in North Hollywood is listed among the studios where Faces was recorded. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Royce Hall (1980)

Recording site Royce Hall — Royce Hall in Los Angeles is listed as a recording location for Faces in the article's source data. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Filmways/Heider Recording (1980)

Recording site The Music Grinder (Hollywood) — Filmways/Heider Recording in Hollywood is listed among the studios where Faces was recorded. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Faces: tenth studio album by the American band Earth, Wind & Fire
• Released October 14, 1980 on ARC/Columbia Records
• Issued as a two-record set
• Partly recorded in Montserrat, a Caribbean island
• Produced by band leader Maurice White
• Guests included Fred Wesley and Toto guitarist Steve Lukather
• Last album with guitarist Al McKay

Background

• Released after the group's earlier albums All n' All and I Am, according to Richard Williams of The Times
• French Wikipedia dates the recording to March through July 1980, mainly in Los Angeles and Hollywood
• The album belongs to the group's 1980 studio work, a period of high commercial visibility

Recording

• Discogs notes say the album was recorded through September 1980
• Listed studios: George Massenburg Studios (West LA), AIR Studios (Montserrat), Davlen Sound Studios (North Hollywood), Wally Heider/Filmways (Hollywood)
• Recording and mixing credited to George Massenburg and Ken Fowler
• Roger Carpenter credited for art direction and concept

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com · fr.wikipedia.org

Artist

Formation

• Formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1969 by Maurice White, originating out of the Salty Peppers.
• Known for a kalimba sound, a dynamic horn section, elaborate stage shows, and the contrast between Philip Bailey's falsetto and Maurice White's tenor.
• Music spans jazz, R&B, soul, funk, disco, pop, Latin and Afro-pop.

Members

• Prominent members include Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Ralph Johnson, Larry Dunn, Al McKay, Roland Bautista, Robert Brookins, Sonny Emory, Ronnie Laws, Sheldon Reynolds and Andrew Woolfolk.
• Maurice White, the founder, died on February 4, 2016.

Career

• Among the best-selling bands ever, with sales of over 90 million records worldwide.
• Won six Grammy Awards out of 17 nominations and four American Music Awards out of 12 nominations.
• Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994.
• Received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2019, becoming the first Black group to be inducted.
• Had a hiatus from mid-1984 to mid-1987.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Dennis Hunt of the Los Angeles Times declared that Faces is the R&B album of the year.
• Alan Morrison of DownBeat said the album offers a lesson in pop and jazz orchestration and production techniques.
• Nelson George of Musician wrote that Faces reaffirms the band's role as the world's finest progressive soul band.
• Sal Caputo of the Gannett News Service called it a very good dance album by a tight ensemble that occasionally wanders too far into pretension.
• Phyl Garland of Stereo Review compared its impact to a live volcano, but said the eruption was carefully controlled.
• Richard Williams of The Times noted that the two-record set makes it hard to sustain deep interest over its length.
• Bev Hillier of Smash Hits gave an 8 out of 10 rating.
• Chuck Pratt of the Chicago Sun Times gave three out of four stars.
• Paul Sexton of Record Mirror gave three out of five stars.

Records

• Billboard Top LPs chart: number 10
• Billboard Top Soul albums chart: number 2
• UK Albums Chart: number 10
• Certified Gold in the US by the RIAA
• Billboard R&B Singles: "Let Me Talk" number 8, "You" number 10, "And Love Goes On" number 15

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• Isaac Hayes called Faces one of Earth, Wind & Fire's five essential recordings.
• Music journalist Mike Freedberg named Faces in his ballot for The Village Voice's 1980 Pazz & Jop critics poll.
• "Let Me Talk" reached No. 8 on the Billboard R&B Singles chart and No. 29 on the UK Pop Singles chart.
• In a 2007 interview, Maurice White named Faces as his favorite Earth, Wind & Fire album.
• White said the band was playing together on the record, which gave them the chance to explore new areas.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

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