Faces | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | October 14, 1980 | |||
Recorded | March–July 1980
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Genre | ||||
Length | 65:34 | |||
Label | ARC/Columbia | |||
Producer | Maurice White | |||
Earth, Wind & Fire chronology | ||||
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Singles from Faces | ||||
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Faces is the tenth studio album by the American band Earth, Wind & Fire released on October 14, 1980, on ARC/Columbia Records. [1] The album reached number 10 on the Billboard Top LPs chart, number 2 on the Billboard Top Soul albums chart and number 10 on the UK Albums Chart. [2] [3] [4] Faces was certified Gold in the US by the RIAA. [5]
Faces was partly recorded in the Caribbean island of Montserrat and produced by EWF leader Maurice White. [1] [6]
Artists such as Fred Wesley and Toto's Steve Lukather guested on the album. [7]
When asked in a 2007 interview which Earth, Wind & Fire album is his favorite, White replied, "...probably Faces, because we were really in tune." White also went on to proclaim that on the LP EWF were "playing together and it gave us the opportunity to explore new areas". [8]
The track, "Let Me Talk", reached No. 8 on the Billboard R&B Singles chart and No. 29 on the UK Pop Singles chart. [9] [4] The song, "You", peaked at Nos. 10 and 30 on the Billboard R&B Singles and Adult Contemporary charts, respectively. [10] [11] A third single, "And Love Goes On", reached No. 15 on the Billboard R&B Singles chart. [12]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [13] |
Chicago Sun Times | [14] |
Robert Christgau | C+ [15] |
Record Mirror | [16] |
Rolling Stone | [17] |
Smash Hits | 8/10 [18] |
Dennis Hunt of the Los Angeles Times declared that "Faces is the R&B album of the year." Hunt added "Faces is expertly written, produced and performed and is considerably better than any of this year's hardcore R&B albums. Just about every song on Faces, which is nearly all upbeat, is high quality. Its danceability rating is as high as any you'll find on an album in this post-disco era." [19] Nelson George of Musician stated: "Faces re-affirms EW&F's role as the world's finest progressive soul band. While not an innovative work, the beauty of Faces is the band's feeling of renewed vigour and spirit, qualities that separate them from the many other good self-contained black bands." [20]
Sal Caputo of Gannett said "Minus Earth Wind and Fire's peace, love and happiness hype, this is a very good dance album by a tight ensemble which occasionally wanders too far into pretension. The two-record set contains spots of jazz, classic-rhythm and blues harmonies, Latin rhythms, modern funk, rock and soul all mixed together in an attempt to create a sort of "world" music." [21] Paul Sexton of Record Mirror gave three out of five stars, stating "they're burning hot enough, but maybe the wind's all blowing in the same old direction". [16] Phyl Garland of Stereo Review wrote that "Earth Wind & Fire's new release, the two -disc set Faces, has all the impact of a live volcano, but, unlike natural eruptions, this one is carefully controlled and every stunning effect is meticulously calculated." She added "all these forces might have gotten in each other's way and produced a monstrously cluttered set, but the way White has choreographed them everything fits together so well that the listener need only sit (or lie) back and enjoy." [22]
Alan Niester of The Globe and Mail exclaimed: "Maurice White might not be the genius some people think he is, but at least he's a master of his craft, and Faces is another well-honed piece of musical excitement.". [23] Richard Williams of The Times wrote: "Earth, Wind & Fire are arguably the most popular soul band in the world and Faces, following the enormous successes of All n' All and I Am, will certainly reach their unusually broad market. The mixture is familiar: reassuringly melodic songs delivered by the outstanding falsetto of Philip Bailey and the plainer tenor of Maurice White with creamingly opulent arrangements featuring a hair-trigger rhythm section and flashy horns. Faces, is however, a two-record set and for all the brilliance of the playing and recording it is hard to sustain deep interest over the distance." [24] Paul Willistein of The Morning Call wrote that "this group's latest two-record set of 15 exceptional funk, R&B and fusion numbers is simply exhilarating". [25]
Elise Bretton of High Fidelity wrote: "Soul Disco like April in Paris cannot be reprised. And when it is transcribed, no matter how accurately, no pianist I know would want to tackle all those syncopated eight and sixteenth notes while singing in the funky, get down style that makes Earth, Wind & Fire the nation's No. 1 nonet." [26] Bev Hillier of Smash Hits gave an 8 out of 10 rating and remarked "Their repertoire ranges from dreamy ballads through funk with a capital F, with numerous other styles incorporated en route. Every member's contribution is vital but Verdine White's bass in particular takes direct control of the feet and the horn section make Dexys sound like the Pied Piper. If you think disco's faceless, you ain't heard this". [18]
Jim Arundel of Melody Maker praised the album, writing: "Earth, Wind &Fire's Faces is fascinating." [27] Gary Bradford of The Pittsburgh Press exclaimed "Faces gets excessive in places, but Earth, Wind and Fire keep a strong afro-groove running". [28] With three out of four stars Chuck Pratt of the Chicago Sun Times exclaimed "this fine funk soul group puts its best face forward on this ambitious and generous double pocket set of intricately produced, high gloss funk". [14]
Isaac Hayes called Faces one of Earth, Wind & Fire's five essential recordings. [29] Music journalist Mike Freedberg also named Faces in his ballot for The Village Voice's 1980 Pazz & Jop critics poll. [30]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Let Me Talk" | Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn, Ralph Johnson, Al McKay, Maurice White, Verdine White | 4:09 |
2. | "Turn It Into Something Good" | Valerie Carter, James Newton Howard, Maurice White | 4:10 |
3. | "Pride" | Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn, Al McKay, Freddie White, Maurice White, Verdine White | 4:11 |
4. | "You" | David Foster, Brenda Russell, Maurice White | 5:10 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
5. | "Sparkle" | Philip Bailey, Eduardo del Barrio, Maurice White | 3:50 |
6. | "Back on the Road" | Al McKay, Maurice White | 3:33 |
7. | "Song in My Heart" | Garry Glenn, Brenda Russell, Maurice White | 4:17 |
8. | "You Went Away" | Philip Bailey, Ross Vannelli | 4:24 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
9. | "And Love Goes On" | Larry Dunn, David Foster, Brenda Russell, Maurice White, Verdine White | 4:05 |
10. | "Sailaway" | Philip Bailey, Eduardo del Barrio, Roxanne Seeman, Maurice White | 4:37 |
11. | "Take It to the Sky" | Larry Dunn, Garry Glenn, Maurice White | 3:50 |
12. | "Win or Lose" | Jean Hancock, Jerry Peters | 3:53 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
13. | "Share Your Love" | Garry Glenn, Maurice White | 3:17 |
14. | "In Time" | Arlene Matza, Howard McCrary, Maurice White | 4:13 |
15. | "Faces" | Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn, Maurice White, Verdine White | 8:02 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Let Me Talk" (12" Long Version) | Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn, Ralph Johnson, Al McKay, Maurice White, Verdine White | 6:45 |
2. | "You" (Alternative Mix) | David Foster, Brenda Russell, Maurice White | 3:47 |
3. | "And Love Goes On" (Alternative Mix) | Larry Dunn, David Foster, Brenda Russell, Maurice White, Verdine White | 3:38 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Let Me Talk" | Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn, Ralph Johnson, Al McKay, Maurice White, Verdine White | 4:09 |
2. | "Turn It Into Something Good" | Valerie Carter, James Newton Howard, Maurice White | 4:10 |
3. | "Pride" | Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn, Al McKay, Freddie White, Maurice White, Verdine White | 4:11 |
4. | "You" | David Foster, Brenda Russell, Maurice White | 5:10 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
5. | "Sparkle" | Philip Bailey, Eduardo del Barrio, Maurice White | 3:50 |
6. | "Back on the Road" | Al McKay, Maurice White | 3:33 |
7. | "Song in My Heart" | Garry Glenn, Brenda Russell, Maurice White | 4:17 |
8. | "You Went Away" | Philip Bailey, Ross Vannelli | 4:24 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
9. | "And Love Goes On" | Larry Dunn, David Foster, Brenda Russell, Maurice White, Verdine White | 4:05 |
10. | "Sailaway" | Philip Bailey, Eduardo del Barrio, Roxanne Seeman, Maurice White | 4:37 |
11. | "Take It to the Sky" | Larry Dunn, Garry Glenn, Maurice White | 3:50 |
12. | "Win or Lose" | Jean Hancock, Jerry Peters | 3:53 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
13. | "Share Your Love" | Garry Glenn, Maurice White | 3:17 |
14. | "In Time" | Arlene Matza, Howard McCrary, Maurice White | 3:47 |
15. | "Oriental (Interlude)" | Arlene Matza, Howard McCrary, Maurice White | 0:27 |
16. | "Faces" | Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn, Maurice White, Verdine White | 7:38 |
17. | "Pipe Organ (Interlude)" | Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn, Maurice White, Verdine White | 0:25 |
Year | Chart | Position |
---|---|---|
1980 | U.S. Billboard Top Soul Albums | 2 [3] |
U.S. Billboard 200 | 10 [2] | |
UK Pop Albums chart | 10 [4] | |
Dutch Albums (Dutch Album Top 100) | 8 [33] | |
Norwegian Albums (VG-Lista | 15 [34] | |
Sweden Albums (Veckolista Album) | 23 [35] | |
New Zealand Albums Chart | 40 [36] | |
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) | 46 [37] | |
Year | Single | Chart | Position |
---|---|---|---|
1980 | "Let Me Talk" | U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles | 8 [9] |
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play | 85 | ||
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 44 | ||
UK Pop Singles | 29 [4] | ||
"You" | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 48 | |
U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles | 10 [10] | ||
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary | 30 [11] | ||
1981 | "And Love Goes On" | N.L. Dutch Single Top 100 | 25 [38] |
U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles | 15 [12] | ||
B.E. Belgian Singles (Ultratop 50 Singles) | 26 [39] | ||
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play | 57 | ||
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 59 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Japan | — | 52,950 [40] |
United States (RIAA) [5] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Publication | Country | Accolade | Year | Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|
Soultracks [41] | U.S. | The 75 Best Soul Albums of the 80s | 2009 | 29 |
Earth, Wind & Fire are an American musical group. Their style and sound span various music genres such as jazz, R&B, soul, funk, disco, pop, Latin, and Afro-pop. They are among the best-selling music artists of all time, with sales of over 90 million records worldwide.
Maurice White was an American singer, musician, songwriter, bandleader, and record producer. He was best known as the founder, leader, main songwriter and chief producer of the band Earth, Wind & Fire, also serving as the band's co-lead singer with Philip Bailey.
That's the Way of the World is the sixth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released on March 3, 1975, by Columbia Records. It was also the soundtrack for a 1975 motion picture of the same name. The album rose to No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and Top Soul Albums charts. That's the Way of the World has also been certified Triple Platinum in the U.S. by the RIAA. In 2002, the band released live version of the album, recorded in 1975 – That's the Way of the World: Alive in '75.
"After the Love Has Gone" is a single by Earth, Wind & Fire released in 1979 on ARC/Columbia Records. The song reached No. 2 on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart, No. 4 on the UK Pop Singles chart, and No. 3 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary Songs chart. "After the Love Has Gone" was certified gold in the US by the RIAA and silver in the UK by the BPI.
Spirit is the seventh studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released on September 28, 1976, by Columbia Records. The album rose to No. 2 on both the Billboard 200 and Top Soul Albums charts. Spirit has also been certified Double Platinum in the US by the RIAA.
"Serpentine Fire" is a single by Earth, Wind & Fire which was issued in October 1977 by Columbia Records. The single rose to numbers 1 and 13 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs and Hot 100 charts, respectively.
Powerlight is the twelfth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in February 1983 by Columbia Records. The album rose to No. 4 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and No. 12 on the Billboard 200 chart. Powerlight was also certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
Touch the World is the fourteenth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in November 1987 on Columbia Records. The album reached No. 3 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and No. 33 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. Touch the World was certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
In the Name of Love is the seventeenth studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire, released in July 1997 on Rhino Records. The album reached No. 19 on the UK R&B Albums chart and No. 25 on the Japanese Oricon Albums Chart.
Millennium is the sixteenth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire released in September 1993 on Warner Bros. Records. The album reached No. 8 on the US Billboard Top R&B Albums chart, No. 39 on the US Billboard 200, No. 18 on the Japanese Pop Albums chart and No. 29 on the Dutch Album Top 100. Millennium has also been certified Gold in Japan by the RIAJ.
"You Can't Hide Love" is a single by soul group Creative Source released in 1973 on Sussex Records. The song reached No. 48 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.
"Thinking of You" is a song by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in January 1988 on Columbia Records as the third single from their fourteenth studio album, Touch the World (1987). It reached number one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart and number three on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart.
"Let Me Talk" is a song by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in August 1980 by ARC/Columbia Records as the first single from their tenth album, Faces (1980). It reached No. 8 on the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and No. 29 on the UK Pop Singles chart.
"Wanna Be with You" is a song by R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire issued as a single in December 1981 by ARC/Columbia Records. The single rose to No. 15 on the US Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart, No. 7 on the UK Blues & Soul Top British Soul Singles chart and No. 40 on the RPM Canadian Pop Singles Chart.
" And Love Goes On" is a single by the American R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire released in January 1981 by ARC/Columbia Records. The single got to No. 15 on both the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles and UK Blues & Soul Top British Soul Singles charts. And Love Goes On also reached No. 25 on the Dutch Pop Singles chart and No. 26 on the Belgian Pop Singles chart.
"Back on the Road " is a single for R&B/funk band Earth, Wind & Fire that was written by Al McKay and the band's leader Maurice White. Released from their studio album Faces, it was a moderate hit on the UK charts rising to no. 68.
"Touch" is a song by R&B/funk band Earth, Wind & Fire, released as a single in January 1984 by Columbia Records. The song reached No. 23 on the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and No. 36 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary Songs chart.
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"You" is a song by the band Earth, Wind & Fire, released as a single in November 1980 on Columbia Records. The single reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart and No. 30 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
"Side by Side" is a song by the band Earth, Wind & Fire released as a single in April 1983 on Columbia Records. The song reached No. 15 on the Billboard R&B Singles chart.
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