Maps of Music

Now, Then & Forever (2013)

Where the lyrics of Now, Then & Forever take you, and where it was really made.

This is the first Earth, Wind & Fire album made without musical input from founder Maurice White, yet he still left a note in the liner notes.

Key places

NRG Studios, North Hollywood (2013)

Recording site NRG Recording Studios (Hollywood) — The source names this studio as one of the places where the album was recorded. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

NuVintage Recording Studio A, Tarzana (2013)

Recording site Can-Am Studios — The source names this studio as one of the places where the album was recorded. The point sits at the city centre of Tarzana. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Ritesonian Recording Studio, Van Nuys (2013)

Recording site Sound City Studios — The source names this studio as one of the places where the album was recorded. The point sits at the city centre of Van Nuys. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

The Mix Room, Burbank (2013)

Recording site The Enterprise (Burbank) — The source names this studio as one of the places where the album was recorded. The point sits at the city centre of Burbank. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Vivrant Street, Los Angeles (2013)

Recording site Motown Recording Studios — The source names this location as one of the places where the album was recorded. The point sits at the city centre of Los Angeles. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Germano Studios, New York City (2013)

Recording site Record Plant Studios — The source names this studio as one of the places where the album was recorded. The point sits at the city centre of New York City. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

TheHotPurplePettingZoo, Atlanta (2013)

Recording site DARP Studios (Atlanta) — The source names this location as one of the places where the album was recorded. The point sits at the city centre of Atlanta. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Now, Then & Forever: twentieth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire
• Released 10 September 2013 by Legacy Recordings and Sony Music
• Reached No. 11 on the US Billboard 200 and No. 6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart
• First Earth, Wind & Fire album without musical input from founder Maurice White
• Larry Dunn, a former bandmember, plays keyboards on the album
• Two singles: Guiding Lights and My Promise

Background

• Maurice White contributed no music to the album
• He still supplied a note for the liner notes, reflecting on today's technology and the distance growing between people
• In that note he hoped the music would tie past to future and remind listeners of the love that united them
• Guiding Lights reached No. 16 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Songs chart and No. 30 on the Adult R&B Songs chart
• My Promise reached No. 28 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart and No. 30 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Songs chart

Recording

• The source names several studios where the album was recorded, in the Los Angeles area, New York City and Atlanta
• Studio locations are shown as map points below

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.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

• Exclaim: Matt Bauer gave the album eight out of ten, calling it a more than worthy addition to the catalogue
• RTÉ: Harry Guerin gave four out of five and called it one of the surprises of the year
• Popmatters: Elias Leight wrote that the album keeps all the old colors and grooves, with an impeccable rhythm section and indomitable horns
• Daily Mirror: Gavin Martin gave three out of five and wrote that elements of greatness remain but the songs are not classics
• Record Collector: Daryl Easlea gave four out of five and called it a splendid diversion full of sophisticated R&B and powerful, soulful vocals with a positive message
• AllMusic: Andy Kellman gave three out of five and wrote that the album shows the lasting value of the band's classic sound
• Daily Record: called it a worthy effort that uses old glories as inspiration for the future

Reappraisal

• Reviews at release were mixed to positive, with praise for the classic sound and criticism of the songwriting

Records

• US Billboard 200: No. 11
• Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: No. 6
• Billboard Smooth Jazz Songs: Guiding Lights No. 16
• Billboard Adult R&B Songs: Guiding Lights No. 30, My Promise No. 28

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · fr.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• The track list runs ten songs, including Sign On with Daniel McClain, Love Is Law, Belo Horizonte, Dance Floor, Splashes, Night of My Life and The Rush
• Maurice White's note on the liner notes is the only direct statement from him about the album in the source
• Larry Dunn is the former band member who appears as a keyboardist here
• Guiding Lights ran 6 minutes 24 seconds and became the album's highest-charting single on the smooth jazz chart
• The album's recording locations span Tarzana, North Hollywood, Van Nuys, Burbank, Los Angeles, New York City and Atlanta

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · it.wikipedia.org

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