Rec/Play
thu 12 feb 2026 20:00 hrs
Compiled by Leroy Rey Leroy Rey, – DJ for more than 30 years and avid music freak-, is digging thru his extensive record collection for a bi-weekly show, in an effort to cover the wide, wide spectrum of sounds rooted in the African diaspora.No boundaries, just Rec/Play.“Heeeeey Leroy, whatchu gon’ play now??”
AN ODE TO MAURICE WHITE IN TWO PARTS >
Part One: The Universe Of The Elements 1. “Sweet Sweetback Badass’ Song” – Earth, Wind & Fire(taken from the soundtrack to the 1971 Melvin Van Peebles movie “Sweet Sweetback Badass Song”, performed by the 1st incarnation of EWF, that dissolved in late 1971/early 1972)
2. “Black Enuff” – The Pharaohs(Group from Chicago that evolved from The Jazzmen into this seminal Soul/Funk/Jazz outfit.Former members include Maurice White, 1st incarnation EWF percussion player Yackov/Yehudah Ben Israel and subsequent Phenix Horns mainstays Louis Satterfield, Don Myrick & Rahmlee)
3. “Get Into Your Life” – Beloyd(single only, as full-length album was never released, by EWF affiliated singer & guitar player, who wrote the huge 1976 EWF hit “Getaway”, as well as songs for both 1981 “Raise” & 1983 “Powerlight” albums, for which he also did backing vocals. Also part of the 1981 worldwide EWF tour to support the “Raise” album)4. “De Ja Vu” (ft. Philip Bailey) – Paulinho Da Costa(taken from solo album “Happy People” by Brazilian percussion player, who is more famous for playing on albums by Michael Jackson, EWF & others. This cut featuring one of the two lead vocalists of EWF, band member Al McKay also appears)
5. “The Spirit Of Love” – Free Life(from the only one album they released as a group, produced by Philip Bailey. Also features EWF’s “Larry Dunn” sittin’ in on keys)6. “Seraphim” – Caldera(from the album “Sky Islands” by late 70’s fusion outfit, produced by Larry Dunn. Eduardo Del Barrio was one of the members, who also wrote songs for EWF, among them the 1977 hit “Fantasy”)7. “How’d I Know That Love Would Slip Away” – Deniece Williams(taken from the Maurice White & Charles Stepney produced 1st solo project by awesome songstress, who -prior to this- was also part of ‘Wonderlove’, Stevie Wonder’s group of backing vocalists)8. “Special Lady” – Splendor(from the only album made by this Bobby Nunn-led Soul group, produced by Philip Bailey)9. “Boogie” – Sky(taken from the pretty obscure -and only in Europe released- 1979 album by Soul/Funk outfit, who went by the name of ‘Sky’, but are in fact The Phenix Horns, EWF’s seminal horn section.)10. “Tequila Mockingbird” – Ramsey Lewis(produced by Larry Dunn, among 2 other songs from same-titled album. Ramsey Lewis being the leader of a trio, which had Maurice White on drums in the 60’s.The ways of both Ramsey & EWF were kinda intertwined throughout the 70’s & 80’s)11. “Love Design” – Kinsman Dazz(from the band’s 2nd album “Dazz”, involving both Philip Bailey & Beloyd, as well as cover art by Shusei Nagoaka, who was also responsible for many EWF cover art at the time. Kinsman Dazz morphed into The Dazz Band, and went on to score quite a few hits.)12. “Come Go With Me” – Pockets(Baltimore bred/ L.A Based Funk/Disc/Fusion group, who recorded 3 albums, all produced by EWF’s Verdine White & Robert Wright. This cut taken from their first album, “Come Go With Me” from 1976)13. “Have You Seen Her” – Afterbach(one album band, consisting of brothers Robert & Michael Brookins, the former later musical director for tours by EWF. Title of the album is called “Matinee”, released in 1981 and produced by Verdine White & Beloyd, who wrote 4 songs for the project as well.)14. “Friends & Strangers” – Ronnie Laws(taken from the saxman 3rd album, who also was a member of EWF at the time of the 1972 release “Last Days And Time”. Always stayed close with Larry Dunn, who features on keys on this fantastic composition.)
15. “There’ll Never Be Another Moment” – The Emotions(deep cut from the sister group’s 1981 album “New Affair”, the only song on the album being produced by Maurice White, who also was behind their huge 1977 hit “Best Of My Love”)16. “Sounds Like A Love Song” – Bobby Glenn(from the obscure Soul singer’s one & only album “Shout It Out”, released in 1976 and fully produced by Douglas Gibbs & EWF’s drummer Ralph Johnson.The song became extra famous as it was being utilized as the backbone for Jay-Z’s song “Song Cry” in 2001.)17. “Never Give Up On You” (reprise) – Rahmlee (Michael Davis)(from the 1st solo album “Rise Of The Phenix” from 1981, by Phenix Horns trumpetist) Part Two: An Imaginary Earth, Wind & Fire album. This here is an attempt to create an EWF album, fully focused on material from their peak between 1974 & 1983. All songs selected here are never put on any proper studio project.Tracks 1,4 & 11 are full-length versions of interludes formerly released on studio albums, Track 12 is a full-length version, never released physically.All songs produced by Maurice White, except track 12 produced by Walt B & Neil Pogue. 1. Kalimba Tree (1981)2. Got To Get You Into My Life (1978)3. Diana (1979)4. Brazilian Rhyme (1977)5. Dreams (1974)6. September (1978)7. Ain’t No Harm To Moan (1974)8. Love Music (1978)9. Dance Dance Dance (1983)10. Night Dreamin’ (1982)11. Departure – The Traveler (1976)12. Guiding Lights (2012)....
