Head to the Sky

Last updated
Head to the Sky
HeadToTheSkyEWF.jpg
Studio album by
Earth, Wind & Fire
ReleasedMay 1973
Recorded1973
StudioClover Recorders, Hollywood, California
Genre Progressive soul [1]
Length36:51
Label Columbia
Producer Joseph Wissert
Earth, Wind & Fire chronology
Last Days and Time
(1972)		Head to the Sky
(1973)		 Open Our Eyes
(1974)
Singles from Open Your Eyes
  1. "Evil"
    Released: June 1973
  2. "Keep Your Head to the Sky"
    Released: October 1973

Head to the Sky is the fourth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in May 1973 on Columbia Records. The album rose to No. 2 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 27 on the Billboard 200 chart. Head to the Sky has also been certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA. [2] [3] [4] [5]

Contents

Overview

Head to the Sky was produced by Joe Wissert with bandleader Maurice White serving as a musical director on the album. The LP was also recorded at Clover Recorders Studios, Hollywood, California. [2]

Singles

"Evil" peaked at No. 19 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Songs chart and No. 25 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart. [6] [7] "Keep Your Head to the Sky" also reached No. 23 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart. [8]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [9]
Rolling Stone (favorable) [10]
Village Voice (B–) [11]
Billboard (favourable) [12]
Variety (favourable) [13]
Pittsburgh Press (favourable) [14]

Vince Aletti of Rolling Stone declared "Been having a lot of music dreams lately but this one’s not too surprising since I’ve been playing the Earth, Wind & Fire album pretty constantly for the past week, certainly beyond all expectations. With a cover like this one — the eight men in the group shirtless, the one woman all in white, surrounded by a starburst arrangement of cut flowers, repeated with slight variations in the centerfold — I’m surprised I even broke the shrinkwrap. And this group started in Chicago?". [10] Billboard noted that the band "does everything well" on the LP. [12] Tony Palermo of the Pittsburgh Press noted "Folks like to compare this bunch with War, but the first difference that hits you with E,W&F's brand of jazz-rhythm and blues is the smoothness of Jessica Cleaves' vocal work. Then, the extra slug of R&B in their style". [14] Robert Christgau of the Village Voice gave a B− grade saying "Most of the first side keeps up the good work..But the mood jazz excursion on side two exposes White's essential fatuousness. "Zanzibar," it's called, as befits a travelogue; its saxophone solo (by Ronnie Laws's replacement, Andrew Woolfolk) could make Alice Coltrane blush." [11] Alex Henderson of Allmusic called Head to the Sky an "excellent" album. [9] Variety also described the record as "a movin' new package. [13]

Issac Hayes called Head to the Sky one of Earth, Wind & Fire's five essential recordings. [15]

Erykah Badu paid tribute to the album in the music video of her 2008 single "Honey". [16] [17]

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Evil" Philip Bailey, Maurice White 5:00
2."Keep Your Head to the Sky"Maurice White5:10
3."Build Your Nest"Maurice White, Verdine White 3:17
4."The World's a Masquerade" Skip Scarborough 4:48
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
5."Clover" Larry Dunn, Maurice White5:27
6."Zanzibar" Edu Lobo 13:09

Personnel

Charts and Certifications

Singles – Billboard
YearSingleChartPosition
1973"Evil" Billboard Adult Contemporary Songs 19
Billboard Black Singles 25
Billboard Hot 100 50
"Keep Your Head To The Sky" Billboard Black Singles 23
Billboard Hot 100 52

Certifications

CountryAward
US (RIAA) Platinum [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earth, Wind & Fire</span> American musical group

Earth, Wind & Fire is an American band whose music spans the genres of jazz, R&B, soul, funk, disco, pop, Latin, and Afro-pop. They are among the best-selling bands of all time, with sales of over 90 million records worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erykah Badu</span> American singer (born 1971)

Erica Abi Wright, known professionally as Erykah Badu, is an American singer and songwriter. Influenced by R&B, soul, and hip hop, Badu rose to prominence in the late 1990s when her debut album Baduizm (1997), placed her at the forefront of the neo soul movement, earning her the nickname "Queen of Neo Soul" by music critics.

<i>Earth, Wind & Fire</i> (album) 1971 studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire

Earth, Wind & Fire is the debut studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in March 1971 by Warner Bros. Records. The album got to No. 24 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart.

The Emotions are an American soul/R&B vocal group from Chicago. The group started out in gospel music but transitioned into R&B and disco music. The Emotions were named by VH1 as one of the 18 most influential girl groups of all time.

<i>All n All</i> 1977 studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire

All 'n All is the eighth studio album by the American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in November 1977 by Columbia Records. The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart. All 'n All has also been certified Triple Platinum in the US by the RIAA, Gold in Canada by Music Canada and Silver in the UK by the BPI.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maurice White</span> American musician (1941–2016)

Maurice White was an American musician, 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.

<i>Thats the Way of the World</i> 1975 soundtrack album / Studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire

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.

<i>Gratitude</i> (Earth, Wind & Fire album) 1975 live album by Earth, Wind & Fire

Gratitude is a double live album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, issued in November 1975 by Columbia Records. The album spent six weeks atop the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and three weeks atop the Billboard 200 chart. Gratitude has also been certified Triple Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shining Star (Earth, Wind & Fire song)</span> 1975 single by Earth, Wind & Fire

"Shining Star" is a song by Earth, Wind & Fire's album That's the Way of the World, issued as a single in January 1975 on Columbia Records. The song rose to No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart, becoming their first single to top both charts. It has also been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

<i>Spirit</i> (Earth, Wind & Fire album) 1976 studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire

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.

<i>Open Our Eyes</i> 1974 studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire

Open Our Eyes is the fifth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in March 1974 on Columbia Records. The album rose to No. 1 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 15 on the Top Pop Albums chart. Open Our Eyes has been certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

<i>Faces</i> (Earth, Wind & Fire album) 1980 studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire

Faces is the tenth studio album by the American band Earth, Wind & Fire released on October 14, 1980, on ARC/Columbia Records. 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. Faces was certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

<i>I Am</i> (Earth, Wind & Fire album) 1979 studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire

I Am is the ninth studio album by the American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in June 1979 by ARC/Columbia Records. The LP rose to number one on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart, and number three on the Billboard 200 chart. I Am has been certified Double Platinum in the U.S. by the RIAA, Platinum in the UK by the BPI, and Platinum in Canada by Music Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erykah Badu discography</span>

American singer Erykah Badu has released five studio albums, one live album, one compilation album, one mixtape, 31 singles, three promotional singles and 20 music videos. Badu's career began after opening a show for D'Angelo in 1994 in her hometown; record label executive Kedar Massenburg was highly impressed with her performance and signed her to Kedar Records. Her debut album, Baduizm, was released on February 11, 1997. It spawned three singles: "On & On", "Next Lifetime", and "Otherside of the Game". The album was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Badu's first live album, Live, was released on November 18, 1997, and was certified double Platinum by the RIAA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honey (Erykah Badu song)</span> 2007 single by Erykah Badu

"Honey" is a song recorded by American singer Erykah Badu for her fourth studio album New Amerykah Part One (2008). It was produced by 9th Wonder, and contains a sample from Nancy Wilson's 1978 song "I'm in Love". The song was released as the lead single from New Amerykah Part One on November 20, 2007, by Universal Motown Records.

<i>Powerlight</i> 1983 studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire

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.

<i>The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1</i> 1978 greatest hits album by Earth, Wind & Fire

The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 is the first greatest hits album by the American band Earth, Wind & Fire issued in 1978 by Columbia Records. The album reached Nos. 3 and 6 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums and Top LPs charts, respectively. The album has been certified Quintuple Platinum in the US by the RIAA, as well as Platinum in the UK and Canada, by the BPI and Music Canada, respectively.

<i>Touch the World</i> 1987 studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire

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.

<i>Flowers</i> (The Emotions album) 1976 studio album by The Emotions

Flowers is a studio album by the American girl group The Emotions, released in 1976 by Columbia Records. The album reached No. 5 on the Billboard Top R&B albums chart. Flowers has been certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keep Your Head to the Sky</span> 1973 single by Earth, Wind & Fire

"Keep Your Head to the Sky" is a song recorded by American R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire for their 1973 album, Head to the Sky. It was released as a single by Columbia Records, peaking at No. 23 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart.

References

  1. ↑ Himes, Geoffrey (May 16, 1990). "Records". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Earth, Wind & Fire: Head To The Sky". 45worlds.com.
  3. ↑ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Head To The Sky (Top Soul Albums)". billboard.com.
  4. ↑ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Head To The Sky (Billboard 200)". billboard.com.
  5. 1 2 "Earth, Wind & Fire: Head To The Sky". riaa.com. RIAA.
  6. ↑ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Evil (Adult Contemporary Songs)". billboard.com.
  7. ↑ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Evil (Hot Soul Songs)". billboard.com.
  8. ↑ "Earth, Wind & Fire: Keep Your Head to the Sky (Hot Soul Songs)". billboard.com.
  9. 1 2 Henderson, Alex. "Earth, Wind & Fire: Head To The Sky". allmusic.com. Allmusic.
  10. 1 2 Aletti,Vince (August 17, 1973). "Earth, Wind & Fire: Head To The Sky". rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone.
  11. 1 2 Christgau, Robert. "Earth, Wind & Fire: Head To The Sky". robertchristgau.com. Village Voice.
  12. 1 2 "Top Album Picks". Vol. 85, no. 21. Billboard Magazine. May 26, 1973. p. 52.{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  13. 1 2 "Record Review: Nilsson, 'Superstar', Womack, Kirk, Lobo, Savoy, 'Good Times', Cody, Roberts, founders Top New LP's". Variety . Vol. 271, no. 6. 20 June 1973. p. 50. ProQuest   963287955.
  14. 1 2 Palermo, Tony (July 29, 1973). "E,W&F Shows War-Like Imagination". newspapers.com. Pittsburgh Press. p. 111.
  15. ↑ Hayes, Issac (July 7, 1995). Essentials: Issac Hayes on Earth, Wind & Fire. p. 39.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  16. ↑ "NEW VIDEO: ERYKAH BADU, 'HONEY'". mtv.com. Archived from the original on September 17, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Erykah Badu: Honey". youtube.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
  18. ↑ "Earth, Wind & Fire Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Earth, Wind & Fire Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1973". Billboard. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1973". Billboard. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.