Earth, Wind & Fire ‎– I Am

Earth, Wind & Fire – I Am

One of Earth, Wind & Fire's defining late-1970s albums, I Am was released in 1979 as the band's ninth studio album and remains a landmark of sophisticated funk, soul, disco and R&B. Produced by Maurice White, the album reached No. 5 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 3 on the US Billboard 200, cementing Earth, Wind & Fire's position among the biggest and most influential groups of the disco era.

The album opens in spectacular fashion with "In The Stone", one of Earth, Wind & Fire's most instantly recognisable recordings, combining soaring vocals, orchestral arrangements, powerful horns and an infectious rhythmic foundation. "Can't Let Go" follows with its tightly arranged funk groove before the beautifully restrained "After The Love Is Gone", one of the group's most celebrated ballads. Written by David Foster, Jay Graydon and Bill Champlin, the song became a major international hit, reaching No. 4 in the UK and No. 2 in both the US Hot 100 and R&B charts.

The album's centrepiece is arguably "Boogie Wonderland", the exuberant disco-funk classic featuring the vocals of The Emotions. Released as the album's first single, it reached No. 4 in the UK and No. 6 in the US, while its irresistible combination of rhythm section, horns, strings and layered vocals has ensured its enduring status as a dancefloor favourite.

Elsewhere, "Star" delivers another polished slice of sophisticated funk and R&B, while "Wait" and "Rock That" demonstrate the band's ability to move between smooth soul, rhythmic funk and disco without losing their unmistakable identity. "You And I" closes the album on a more romantic note, providing a soulful contrast to the exuberance of "Boogie Wonderland". The official Earth, Wind & Fire tracklisting confirms this original nine-track album sequence.

"I Am" is packed with the hallmarks of the classic Earth, Wind & Fire sound: precision rhythm sections, punchy horn arrangements, layered percussion, strings, keyboards, synthesizers and the distinctive vocal interplay of Maurice White, Philip Bailey and the rest of the group. The album also features major outside contributors including David Foster, Allee Willis and Steve Lukather, helping give the record its polished but still deeply funky character.

For collectors of classic funk, soul, disco, R&B and boogie vinyl, I Am is an essential Earth, Wind & Fire album. From the monumental opening of "In The Stone" and the dancefloor brilliance of "Boogie Wonderland" to the timeless soul of "After The Love Is Gone", it captures the group at the height of their late-1970s powers.

Tracklist

Side A

1. In The Stone — 4:48
2. Can't Let Go — 3:29
3. After The Love Is Gone — 4:31
4. Let Your Feelings Show — 5:22

Side B

1. Boogie Wonderland — 4:49
2. Star — 4:26
3. Wait — 3:39
4. Rock That — 3:07
5. You And I — 2:58