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Promise
Earth Wind & Fire
Promise
Genres: Pop, R&B
 
  •  Track Listings (17) - Disc #1

With this project, the producers and songwriters considered the preferences of the adult audience; and have continued the tradition of EW&F in creating an album that is pure listening pleasure from beginning to end.

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Earth Wind & Fire
Title: Promise
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Avex Trax Japan
Release Date: 6/22/2004
Album Type: Extra tracks, Import
Genres: Pop, R&B
Styles: Adult Contemporary, Funk, Soul, Quiet Storm
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 766487706049

Synopsis

Album Description
With this project, the producers and songwriters considered the preferences of the adult audience; and have continued the tradition of EW&F in creating an album that is pure listening pleasure from beginning to end.

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CD Reviews

Earth Wind & Fire In A Romantic Kind Of Mood
Andre S. Grindle | Brewer Maine | 07/31/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"It might be easy to guess a lot of hard core Earth Wind & Fire fans had a hard time sitting through the bands 1990's releases that largely found the band pandering to modern rap and new jack tastes.By the time 'The Promise' came around tastes had again changed in EWF's favor-new jack was out and neo soul was in!'The Promise',for once features a great vocal balance-Maurice White and Philip Bailey both vocally soar to the sky just like they used to.The majority of these tunes showcase the smooth songwriting of the band at mid and low tempos-there are only two uptemp tunes here,both terrific.The marvelously crafted "All In The Way" and the classicly funky "Dirty"-yes it's a remix of an older unrealesed tune from 1979 but it sounds great.Of the ballads the stratospheric "Betcha'" and the dynamic "Freedom" are standouts.And there are more then a fare share of surprises such as the title song-trickled throughout the CD in the form of brief interludes-all with a great modern African type rhythm and some of Maurices great rhythmic kalimba playing."Wiggle" is a funky tune reminiscent of "Mizar" from the 'Powerlight' album but isn't even as long as that interlude,sadly.Both should've been fleshed out.In the bands vast catolog 'The Promise' is the bands modern day equivilant of their 1980 'Faces'-it is'nt particularly commercial and was never intended to be.What it does do is focus on the fact that Maurice and company can still turn in great tunes and the Phenix horns and their classic instrumentation are still highly relevant and all generations of listeners will still flock to hear them,particularly the young generation without the band having to change their basic sound.Plus it also provides a wonderul album lengh experience even if it contains no major hits.'The Promise' lives up to it's title of what Earth Wind & Fire fans expected for over a decade-for the band to just be themselves."
Overpriced Japanese Import Made EVEN BETTER!
chakasworld | Atlanta, GA United States | 10/09/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Earth, Wind & Fire's 'The Promise' (2003, Kalimba) was the follow up to the 'Avatar' / 'In The Name Of Love' CDs from 1996-1997. Since their last studio recording, EWF has released 2 live CDs - That's the Way of the World: Alive in '75 (2002, Legacy) & Live In Rio (2002, Kalimba). On May 20, 2003, 'The Promise' was finally released in the United States after a previous debut in Japan. Loyal EWF fans supported 'The Promise' without a second thought, and the band continued to update their classic sound with current pop-oriented flavor. The results were outstanding, and fans haven't heard an album so inspiring & powerful in a while. The 1st single, "All in the Way" is a uptempo track with great percussion work and vocals (ft.Wanda Vaughn & Sheila Hutchinson of the Emotions on Backgrounds). The 4 track CD single for All In The Way was released on the Charley Label, and it included 3 different remixes. The mid tempo "Betcha" seems to be a more radio-friendly track featuring Philip Bailey, who's in fine form. "Why" (featuring Gerald Albright on Saxophone) is a smooth ballad with Maurice White singing his heart out. It's great having Maurice return to recording with EWF because Sheldon Reynolds really wasn't the answer on vocals. Additional highlights from 'The Promise' include - "Wonderland" (ft.Angie Stone), "Hold Me", "Let Me Love You", "All About Love" (also featuring Wanda Vaughn & Sheila Hutchinson), "Where Do We Go From Here ?" (Updated track from the 1979 'I Am' sessions) and more. There are also too many interludes (Five!) on 'The Promise', and that disturbs the CD's flow on occassion. 'Copy Protection' on the Import Edition ?? Yeah WHATEVER! Straight up...B.S.!!! You can get past that with NO PROBLEM!



In any event, EWF delivered a great CD with 2003's 'The Promise', and it's an improvement over the previous CDs, which weren't that bad. The original American edition of 'The Promise' was released in a fragile cardboard 'DigiPak', while the superior Japanese edition was released in a jewel case. The import also included 2 bonus tracks ("Soul" & "So Lucky"), and a nice lyric book.





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Earth Wind and Fire Does It Again!!!!
Avid Reader | USA | 03/25/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just copped this album as I am a huge EWF fan since the 70's. The new album did not disappoint as they sung about all the old subjects with a new twist. I listened for the old sound, but found a lot of new reason's to love this album. "Betcha" was classic Phillip lead and it made me feel comfortable like de'javu. I am so glad that this phenominal band has decided to continue their tradition of good music with a message as we so need them right now.

Honorable Mention:

Why?

Wonderland

Where Do We Go From Here?

Never

Suppose You Like Me

"