Illumination | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | September 20, 2005 | |||
Recorded | 2004–2005
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Genre | R&B, funk, neo soul, hip hop soul | |||
Length | 60:04 | |||
Label | Sanctuary | |||
Producer | Maurice White & Phillip Bailey (exec.), will.i.am, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Raphael Saadiq, Darren Henson & Keith Pelzer, Brian McKnight, Organized Noize | |||
Earth, Wind & Fire chronology | ||||
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Singles from Illumination | ||||
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Illumination is the nineteenth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in September 2005 on Sanctuary Records. [1] The album rose to No. 8 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 32 on the Billboard 200 chart. Illumination was also Grammy nominated within the category of Best R&B Album. [2] [3] [4] It is the last Earth, Wind & Fire album to feature their founder and co-lead vocalist Maurice White.
Artists such as Big Boi, Kenny G, Kelly Rowland, will.i.am, Floetry and Brian McKnight featured on Illumination. [1]
A track titled "Pure Gold" rose to No. 23 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary singles chart and No. 15 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart. [5] [6]
Another single titled "The Way You Move" feat. Kenny G reached No. 12 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Songs chart. [7]
A song called "Show Me the Way" feat. Raphael Saadiq rose to No. 16 upon the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart. [8] "Show Me the Way" was also Grammy nominated in the category of Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. [4]
Another track titled "To You" which featured Brian McKnight reached No. 16 upon the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart and No. 29 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Songs chart. [9] [10]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [11] |
BBC | (favorable): [12] |
Rolling Stone | [13] |
New York Daily News | (favorable) [14] |
Washington Post | (favorable) [15] |
Entertainment Weekly | (favourable) [16] |
The Times | [17] |
USA Today | [18] |
The Guardian | [19] |
About | [20] |
The Daily Telegraph | (favourable) [21] |
Raymond Fiore of Entertainment Weekly declared "Earth, Wind & Fire’s Illumination is a fluid, unforced marriage of modern beats and retro, horn-lined soul.". [16] Antony Hatfield of the BBC stated "Illumination is a great all star team effort, which should appeal to fans of all concerned." [12] Bill Lamb of About gave a four out of five star rating and found that "Illumination is a truly classic package" that "effortlessly straddles the divide between classic and contemporary r&b." [20] Jim Farber of the New York Daily News said "Their latest work features production and/or guest appearances from current hit makers like Will I. Am from the Black Eyed Peas, Big Boi from OutKast, Kelly Rowland from Destiny's Child, plus Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Raphael Saadiq and others. All these guests haven't overwhelmed Maurice White's great band. They've just freshened it up. Singer Philip Bailey sounds as buttery as ever, and the band's tart horn arrangements and melodies extend the buoyancy and pleasure of their hits." [14] Ben Thompson of The Daily Telegraph wrote "Illumination does find them successfully holding their own alongside some of the biggest names of the 21st century." [21] David Wild of Rolling Stone proclaimed "Illumination, taps into Santana's now-familiar Supernatural formula: Give a veteran great a hip replacement by surrounding it with lots of gifted youngbloods. On Illumination, the formula works well largely because the parties involved — including Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Raphael Saadiq and Black Eyed Peas' Will.i.am — seem to sincerely treasure the EWF sound. " [22] Dave Simpson of The Guardian gave a four out of five star rating, describing the album as "an often storming return to form." [19] With a 3 out of 5 star rating Steve Jones of USA Today noted "EWF is as vibrant as ever". [18]
Illumination was Grammy nominated in the category of Best R&B Album. The album was also nominated for a Soul Train Music Award in the category of Best R&B/Soul Album – Group, Band or Duo. As well Earth, Wind & Fire was nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Duo or Group. [4] [23] [24]
"This Is How I Feel" was featured in the movie Hitch and "Love's Dance" was featured in the feature film Robots . "Pure Gold" was featured in the movie Roll Bounce . [25]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Lovely People" (feat. will.i.am) | will.i.am, Keith Harris | will.i.am, Keith Harris | 4:28 |
2. | "Pure Gold" | James Harris III, Terry Lewis, Tony L. Tolbert, Bobby Ross Avila, Issiah J. Avila | Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Bobby Ross Avila & IZ | 4:40 |
3. | "A Talking Voice (Interlude)" (All Vocals performed by Philip Bailey) | Philip Bailey | Philip Bailey | 0:19 |
4. | "Love's Dance" | James Harris III, Terry Lewis, Tony L. Tolbert | Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis | 4:28 |
5. | "Show Me The Way" (feat. Raphael Saadiq) | Raphael Saadiq, Taura Jackson | Raphael Saadiq | 7:47 |
6. | "This Is How I Feel" (feat. Kelly Rowland, Big Boi & Sleepy Brown) | Patrick Brown, Antwan Patton, Marqueze Ethridge, Ray Murray, Rico Wade | Organized Noize | 4:21 |
7. | "Work It Out" | Sir James Bailey, Taura Jackson, Raphael Saadiq, Kelvin Wooten | Raphael Saadiq | 4:29 |
8. | "Pass You By" | Raphael Saadiq, Taura Jackson | Raphael Saadiq | 4:59 |
9. | "The One" | Brandon "Shug" Bennett, Patrick Brown, Samuel Christian, Ray Murray, Rico Wade | Organized Noize | 5:11 |
10. | "Elevated" (feat. Floetry) | Marsha Ambrosius, Natalie Stewart, Darren Henson, Keith Pelzer | Darren Henson, Keith Pelzer | 4:37 |
11. | "Liberation" | Vikter Duplaix, Junius Bervine | Vikter Duplaix | 5:25 |
12. | "To You" (feat. Brian McKnight) | Brian McKnight | Brian McKnight | 4:37 |
13. | "The Way You Move" (with Kenny G) | Antwan Patton, Carlton Mahone Jr., Patrick Brown | Raphael Saadiq | 4:36 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
14. | "Love Together (feat. Raphael Saadiq)" | Raphael Saadiq, Keith Harris | 4:18 |
15. | "Autumn (feat. Musiq Soulchild) (only on the Japanese release)" | 4:37 | |
16. | "Let Me Love You (feat. Floetry)" |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Lovely People" (feat. will.i.am) | will.i.am, Keith Harris | will.i.am, Keith Harris | 4:28 |
2. | "Pure Gold" | James Harris III, Terry Lewis, Tony L. Tolbert, Bobby Ross Avila, Issiah J. Avila | Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Bobby Ross Avila & IZ | 4:40 |
3. | "A Talking Voice (Interlude)" (All Vocals performed by Philip Bailey) | Philip Bailey | Philip Bailey | 0:19 |
4. | "Love's Dance" | James Harris III, Terry Lewis, Tony L. Tolbert | Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis | 4:28 |
5. | "Show Me The Way" (feat. Raphael Saadiq) | Raphael Saadiq, Taura Jackson | Raphael Saadiq | 7:47 |
6. | "This Is How I Feel" (feat. Kelly Rowland, Big Boi & Sleepy Brown) | Patrick Brown, Antwan Patton, Marqueze Ethridge, Ray Murray, Rico Wade | Organized Noize | 4:21 |
7. | "Work It Out" | Sir James Bailey, Taura Jackson, Raphael Saadiq, Kelvin Wooten | Raphael Saadiq | 4:29 |
8. | "Pass You By" | Raphael Saadiq, Taura Jackson | Raphael Saadiq | 4:59 |
9. | "The One" | Brandon "Shug" Bennett, Patrick Brown, Samuel Christian, Ray Murray, Rico Wade | Organized Noize | 5:11 |
10. | "Elevated" (feat. Floetry) | Marsha Ambrosius, Natalie Stewart, Darren Henson, Keith Pelzer | Darren Henson, Keith Pelzer | 4:37 |
11. | "Liberation" | Vikter Duplaix, Junius Bervine | Vikter Duplaix | 5:25 |
12. | "To You" (feat. Brian McKnight) | Brian McKnight | Brian McKnight | 4:37 |
13. | "Love Together" | Kelvin Wooten, Raphael Saadiq, Rodney Smith | 4:18 | |
14. | "The Way You Move" (with Kenny G) | Antwan Patton, Carlton Mahone Jr., Patrick Brown | Raphael Saadiq | 4:36 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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15. | "Lovely People (Instrumental)" | Keith Harris, Will I Am | 4:29 |
16. | "Elevated (Instrumental)" | Marsha Ambrosius, Natalie Stewart, Darren Henson, Keith Pelzer | 4:37 |
Albums
Year | Chart | Peak position |
---|---|---|
2005 | US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums [3] | 8 |
US Billboard 200 [2] | 32 | |
Japan (Oricon) [27] | 61 | |
Italy (Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana) [28] | 87 | |
France (Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique) [29] | 193 |
Singles
Year | Single | Chart | Position |
---|---|---|---|
2004 | "The Way You Move" | Billboard Adult Contemporary Songs [7] | 12 |
Billboard Adult R&B Songs [30] | 25 | ||
"Show Me the Way" | Billboard Adult R&B Songs [8] | 16 | |
2005 | "Pure Gold" | Billboard Adult Contemporary Songs [5] | 23 |
Billboard Adult R&B Songs [6] | 15 | ||
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop | 76 | ||
"To You" | Hot R&B/Hip-Hop | 71 | |
Billboard Adult R&B Songs [9] | 16 | ||
Billboard Smooth Jazz Songs [31] | 29 |
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.
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.
Raise! is the eleventh studio album by the American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released on November 14, 1981, by ARC/Columbia Records. The album spent 11 weeks atop the Billboard Top R&B albums chart and peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart. Raise! has been certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA, Gold in the UK by the BPI and Gold in Canada by Music Canada.
"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.
Larry Dunn is an American keyboardist, producer and musical director. He was one of the early members of the music group Earth, Wind & Fire. Dunn was later inducted, as a former band member, into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. Within which he's also been bestowed with ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award, 7 Grammy Awards, 4 American Music Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Dunn is a co-composer of EWF's "Shining Star", a song that's been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
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.
The Promise is the eighteenth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire released in May 2003 on Kalimba Music. The album peaked at No. 19 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 5 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart.
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.
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 rose to No. 3 & 6 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums and Billboard 200 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.
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.
Electric Universe is the thirteenth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in November 1983 on Columbia Records. The album rose to No. 8 on the US Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 40 on the US Billboard 200 chart. Electric Universe also reached No. 17 on the Swedish Pop Albums chart, No. 18 on the UK Blues & Soul Top British Soul Albums chart, No. 20 on the Japanese Pop Albums chart and No. 22 on both the Dutch Pop Albums and Swiss Pop Albums charts.
Heritage is the fifteenth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in February 1990 on Columbia Records, and was their final release of new music for the label. The album reached No. 19 on the US Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and No.18 on the UK Blues & Soul Top British Soul Albums chart. Heritage also got to No. 31 on the Japanese Oricon Albums Chart and No. 39 on both the Finland Suomen virallinen albumilista and the German Pop Albums chart.
"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.
" 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.
"Show Me the Way" is a song recorded by the band Earth, Wind & Fire featuring Raphael Saadiq that was released as a single in September 2004 by Sanctuary Records. from their 2005 album Illumination. The single reached No. 16 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart.
"Heritage" is a song by American band Earth, Wind & Fire featuring Suns of Light, released in February 1990 by Columbia Records as the first single from their fifteenth studio album. The single reached No. 5 on the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart, No. 5 on the Cash Box Top R&B Singles chart, No. 4 on the Japanese Pop Singles (Oricon) chart and No. 23 on the Finland Suomen virallinen singlelista.
"Magnetic" is a song by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in November 1983 on Columbia Records as the first single from their thirteenth studio album, Electric Universe (1983). It reached No. 10 on the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart, No. 36 on the Billboard Dance Club Play chart and No. 23 on the UK Blues & Soul Top British Soul Singles chart. "Magnetic" also reached No. 16 on the Belgian Pop Singles chart and No. 18 on the Dutch Pop Singles chart.
"For the Love of You" is a song recorded by the American band Earth, Wind & Fire (EWF) featuring MC Hammer for EWF's 1990 studio album Heritage. It was released as a single in May 1990 by Columbia Records, peaking at No. 19 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and No. 12 on the Cashbox Top R&B Singles chart.