Earth, Wind & Fire - That’s The Way Of The World: Alive In ’75 (1975) [2002 SACD]

This isn’t really a major archival release, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t an enjoyable one, either. Capturing a series of highlights from Earth Wind & Fire’s breakthrough 1975 tour — all selected by Maurice White — That’s the Way of the World may not have the ebb and flow of a proper live set, but it does have the advantage of burning bright consistently throughout the record. This isn’t just because of White’s very selections, but because this is when EWF was at their peak as a white-hot funk band, laying down tight, monstrous grooves and turning out lively, interesting jams on top of that. All of that is captured well on this nine-track live album (not counting the “Overture” and “Interlude”); even when the group brings down the tempo on “Reasons” and “That’s the Way of the World,” the music doesn’t turn flaccid — it still smolders. This doesn’t quite mean it’s an earth-shattering release, but it’s a fun record, something that the group’s fans — particularly those who loved the group’s early peak years — will surely dig.

Tracks:

01. Overture 00:56
02. Shining Star 05:34
03. Happy Feelin' 05:37
04. Yearnin' Learnin' 04:55
05. Sun Goddess 07:38
06. Interlude 00:54
07. Evil 03:01
08. Kalmimba Story 06:58
09. Reasons 09:40
10. Mighty Mighty 04:48
11. That's the Way of the World 08:30