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Earth, Wind & Fire ~ In The Stone 1979 Funky Purrfection Version

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"September" was the new song Earth, Wind & Fire showcased from their first Greatest Hits LP of 1978, the only new song that became their 12th Top 40 single. I burned through three copies of that album and still have each one. The following year 1979, they released "I Am" and the album's first track "In The Stone", updated the classic sound of the band joining it with a much stronger and beefier music track than previous albums. This was a new direction that expanded their audience who helped to drive the #6 placings of "Boogie Wonderland" then the #2 peak for two weeks of "After The Love Has Gone". The single that prevented it from getting to #1? It was The Knack's "My Sharona" who stayed there for 7 weeks. Maurice and the band agree that "I Am" was their own "Abbey Road" milestone. It is one of a few albums I have that holds up to repeat plays, the music is so positive and technically clean, it feels like the sun peeking through the clouds in the sky. They are known for their uplifting lyrics with an equally uplifting musical arrangement. The album represents a very specific time, June 9, 1979 when Boogie Wonderland hit the stores, "After The Love Has Gone" was the song of the summer, so in the fall of 1979, "In The Stone" became the third single issued entered the chart at #80 and ended up peaking at #58 for three weeks. It is one of their funkier tunes, with a great bassline and syncopation that added something to the disco genre. "I Am" was their ninth studio album and it peaked at #1 R&B and #3 Pop going double platinum in the US, and platinum in Canada and also in the UK.
Category
Funky