Features final recordings from the Earth, Wind & Fire founder and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award-winner, Including six previously unissued tracks
Recorded with award-winning Producer Preston Glass
March 25, 2024: Omnivore Recordings has announced the CD release of Maurice White’s Manifestation, the final set of recordings from the Earth, Wind & Fire founder and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award-winner. Recorded with award-winning producer/songwriter Preston Glass, the album features 6 previously unissued tracks.
As a teenager, Maurice White studied at the Chicago Conservatory of Music while playing in bands around town. Later, he became a session drummer at Chess Records where he appeared on records by Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Chuck Berry, Etta James and more! In 1966 he left Chess to join the Ramsey Lewis Trio, staying with them for the next three years and a series of album releases (and winning a Grammy for Best Rhythm & Blues Group Performance, Vocal or Group for their track, “Hold It Right There”) until 1969, when he joined two friends, Wade Flemons and Don Whitehead to form a songwriting team. They moved from Chicago to Los Angeles and changed their name to Earth, Wind & Fire.
Earth, Wind & Fire sold over 100 million records, and won countless accolades: inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame, Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and garnered four American Music Awards and seven Grammys (out of 17 nominations), including a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.
White was also a sought-after producer, player and songwriter. His credits include songs, albums and sessions for Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond, Ramsey Lewis, Pieces Of A Dream, Minnie Riperton, Barry Manilow, Jennifer Holliday, Deniece Williams, The Emotions, Walter Hawkins, The Tubes, Atlantic Starr, and many more. His remarkable career included solo albums, music for feature films, television shows, and a Broadway play.
After releasing a self-titled solo album in 1985, while recording Earth, Wind & Fire’s 1987 release Touch The World, White shared the producer chair with award-winning producer/songwriter Preston Glass. The result was a number one chart hit—“System Of Survival.” From this successful start, Glass and White formed a songwriting bond that lasted for nearly 30 years and resulted in over 40 songs. Three years after White’s untimely passing, 12 of those songs were released digitally as Manifestation.
Now, those 12 songs, along with 6 previously unissued tracks appear for the first time on CD (Digital also available), fully authorized by Kalimba Entertainment and in cooperation with Platinum Garage Recordings and SoulMusic Records. Newly remastered by multiple Grammy-winning Engineer Michael Graves, the musical spirit of Maurice White thrives as his final recordings are available again featuring new, insightful, and heartfelt notes from set co-Producer and British Ambassador of Soul, David Nathan. Manifestation is essential listening for fans of the lifelong work of the brilliant Maurice White.
Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/rwBT6qdSBAg
Pre-order: http://www.omnivorerecordings.com/shop/manifestation
Manifestations tracklist:
1. Sweet Surrender
2. Panic Button
3. Storybook Love
4. Laid Back Aphrodisiac
5. I Couldn’t Be Me Without You
6. Breakin’ In A Brand New Heart (Interlude)
7. True Love Is Forever
8. Wiggle (Long Version)
9. To The Top
10. Young Hearts
11. You’re Supposed To Say You Love Me
12. Before The Day You Were Born
Previously Unissued Bonus Tracks:
13. Keep Your Faith In Love
14. Can’t Fight This Feelin’
15. Crazy ‘Bout
16. Rekindle The Flame
17. Spiritual High
18. Sincerely
