Earth, Wind & Fire - All 'n All (1977)

“All ‘n All" by Earth, Wind and Fire (1977)

Release Date: November 21, 1977
Produced by Maurice White
Genre: R&B, Soul, Jazz, Funk, Pop
Label: Columbia

Chart Positions: #3 (US), #4 (Netherlands), #11 (France, Sweden), #12 (New Zealand), #13 (UK), #14 (Japan), #1 (US Black Albums Chart)
Certifications: 3xPlatinum (US), Gold (Canada), Silver (UK)

Singles: “Serpentine Fire” #13 (US), #36 (New Zealand), #1 (US R&B), “Fantasy” #2 (France), #6 (Holland), #7 (Netherlands, South Africa), #8 (Belgium, Sweden), #14 (UK, New Zealand), #22 (Japan), #32 (US), #12 (US R&B), “Jupiter” #41 (UK), #82 (Japan), “Magic Mind” #54 (UK)
Singles Certifications: “Fantasy” Gold (US)
Best Tracks: “Fantasy,” “Serpentine Fire,” “I’ll Write A Song For You,” “Runnin’”

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“All ‘n All” by Earth, Wind & Fire (Click Here) 

All 'n All is the eighth studio album by the American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in 1977 on Columbia Records. It is one of the group's best known albums and has been certified triple platinum in the United States for sales of three million copies by the RIAA, gold in Canada by Music Canada and silver in the UK by the British Phonographic Industry. All 'n All reached #3 on the Pop Album chart and stayed at #1 on the Black Album chart for nine weeks. All 'n All was also the bestselling R&B album of 1978.

The album won  two Grammy Awards one for Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus and the song "Runnin'" won for Best R&B Instrumental. All 'N All also garnered an American Music Award nomination for Favorite Album- Soul/Rhythm & Blues.

The funk-filled R&B track "Serpentine Fire" was the first single from the album and was the album's biggest hit in the US reaching #13 on the Billboard singles  chart and seven weeks at #1 on the US R&B chart. Philip Bailey's congas drums and the full horn section give the song a slight Latin R&B jazz style. Written by EWF members Maurice White and Verdine White with Reginald Sonny Burke, the lead vocal was taken by Philip Bailey as at the time Bailey was gaining more prominence with the band in performing more lead vocals.  The Serpentine Fire is a yoga concept, Maurice White explained, "The Kundalini principle has to do with the fluid in your spine. After 29 days, if used properly it can be converted into a higher consciousness of energy, which means you can step up or step down, it's your choice. It's called a serpent, because if you tipped the spine out of the body and looked at it, it would look like a serpent - and the fluid is the fire in the spine." "Serpentine Fire" was born out of Maurice and Verdine's spiritual and positive energy.

The second single from the album, "Fantasy," was a much bigger hit throughout the world than "Serpentine Fire," except in the US where it charted considerably lower at #32 on the Billboard singles chart and #12 on the R&B chart. Despite the lower chart position the song was certified Gold by the RIAA. "Fantasy" was written by Maurice and Verdine White this time with the assistance of Eddie Del Barrio. Del Barrio, a jazz and funk musician, songwriter, arranger and producer,  also co-wrote the Earth Wind & Fire songs "Runnin'," and "Star." "fantasy" was described by many as Earth, Wind and Fire's transition into disco with a smooth groove to it.

"Fantasy" (1977)

The next two singles "Jupiter" and "Magic Mind," were both semi-hits in the UK charting at #41 and #54 respectively.

"Love's Holiday" and the beautiful "I'll Write A Song For You" both received radio airplay, despite not being released as a-side singles. "Love's Holiday" was used as the b-side to the single "Magic Mind."

Earth, Wind & Fire (1977)

Link to “All ‘n All” (Click Here)

EARTH, WIND & FIRE