Maps of Music

The Promise (2003)

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

Two tracks on this album were first recorded during the I Am sessions and then remixed for The Promise.

Key places

Recording and mixing at Magnet Vision Studios (2003)

Recording site Ruby Red — Magnet Vision Studios in Santa Monica is credited as the place where the album was recorded and mixed. The map point sits at the city centre, not the studio building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recording at Record Plant, Los Angeles (2003)

Recording site Record Plant (Los Angeles) — Record Plant in Los Angeles is listed among the studios where tracks for the album were recorded. The point marks the studio building itself. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recording at The Enterprise (2003)

Recording site The Enterprise (Burbank) — The Enterprise is credited as one of the studios where the album was recorded. The map point sits at the Burbank city centre, not the studio building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recording at Cardraygee Studios (2003)

Recording site Cardraygee Studios — Cardraygee Studios is credited as one of the studios where the album was recorded. The map point sits at the Oak Park city centre, not the studio building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• The Promise: eighteenth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire
• Released May 2003 on Kalimba Music, on 20 May 2003 according to the French article
• Executively produced by Maurice White
• Guest artists include Angie Stone, The Emotions, Gerald Albright and Paulinho Da Costa
• Cover art designed by Morito Suzuki

Background

• 'Where Do We Go from Here' and 'Dirty' were originally recorded during the I Am sessions
• Both tracks were remixed for this album
• 'Dirty' in its original form, with blues legend Junior Wells, had already appeared on the 1992 box set The Eternal Dance

Recording

• Recorded and mixed at Magnet Vision Studios, Santa Monica, California
• Mastered at Future Disc, Hollywood, California
• Recording credits also list The Enterprise, Gold Rush Recording Studios, Cardraygee Studios and Record Plant in Los Angeles
• Mixing credits also list Pacifique Studios and Record Plant in Los Angeles

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

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

• People called the album a musically rich 17-track set, including five trademark instrumental interludes, that blows away most of today's R&B
• Blender: Chairman Mao gave 3 out of 5 stars and said the band keeps its trademark buoyancy on mid-tempo numbers and sweeping ballads
• AllMusic: Rob Theakston gave 3 out of 5 stars and called the album extremely soulful and soothing
• USA Today: Steve Jones gave 3.5 out of 5 stars and pointed to horn-kissed ballads and jazz funk grooves
• The Guardian: David Peschek gave 4 out of 5 stars and praised the immaculately smooth mid-tempo pop-soul
• Boston Globe: Renee Graham called it well-crafted R&B for grown-ups
• SF Weekly: Tamara Palmer wrote that the album honors its promise of songs of consistent quality

Records

• Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: peaked at No. 19
• Billboard Top Independent Albums: peaked at No. 5
• Billboard Adult R&B Songs: All in the Way (feat. The Emotions) No. 13, Hold Me No. 28
• Billboard Adult Contemporary: All in the Way No. 25
• Billboard Smooth Jazz Songs: Never No. 17, Why? No. 19
• Hold Me, produced and written by Tim & Bob, was Grammy nominated for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• 'Dirty' in its original form with blues legend Junior Wells was already on the 1992 box set The Eternal Dance.
• 'Hold Me' received a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance.
• 'Where Do We Go from Here' was also recorded during the I Am sessions and remixed for this album.
• Mixing credits list Pacifique Studios in North Hollywood alongside Record Plant in Los Angeles.

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

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