Earth, Wind And Fire Return To The Charts With 'The Promise'

NEW YORK (kalimba Records press release) - With their summer tour of theaters in high gear, EARTH, WIND & FIRE have returned with THE PROMISE (Kalimba Records), their first album of new studio material in six years which debuted at No19 on Billboard's R&B chart and No89 on USA Singles chart.

Fans and critics are finding that THE PROMISE features the same crisp arrangements, soaring harmonies and impeccable instrumental performances that earned the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees six consecutive double platinum albums and more than 40 million U.S. album sales.

In a recent interview, Maurice White told The Dallas Morning News (May 30, 2003): "Our music is a mixture of things and, in a sense, an improvisation. It's a conversation among instruments. It's a conversation among souls."

Meanwhile, USA Today's three our of four star album review (May 20, 2003) raved:
"On its first new album in six years, the legendary band delivers an engaging first single that recalls some of its best work of the '70s. 'All in the Way' reunites EWF with The Emotions, who graced their classic 'Boogie Wonderland,' and features a welcome return of Maurice White's signature kalimba. With horn-kissed ballads and infectious jazz-funk grooves, the band seems to have regained its spark. Philip Bailey is still hitting impossibly high notes. Angie Stone adds her soulful vocals to the easygoing 'Wonderland,' and the band sizzles on the hard-driving 'Dirty.' It's been a long time coming, but this Promise is a keeper."

Elsewhere, People magazine spotlighted THE PROMISE as a "Critics Choice" review (May 26, 2003), noting:
"�the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers showcase the same elements that made them one of the most important R&B acts of the '70s: brassy horns arrangements; exotic, African-accented percussion; and the starkly contrasting lead vocals of founder Maurice White's mellifluous baritone and Philip Bailey's still impossibly high falsetto�the creative fire has been rekindled on a musically rich 17-track set (including five trademark instrumental interludes) that blows away most of today's R&B."

THE PROMISE boasts a lineup that mixes hot young talent with the longtime pillars of the band: founder and co-producer Maurice White, brother Verdine White on bass, percussionist Ralph Johnson, and the golden-throated vocalist Philip Bailey.