Released October 14, 1980 Faces
(1980) Raise!
(1981) Release date 14 October 1980 Label CBS Records International | Length 60:34 Artist Earth, Wind & Fire Producer Maurice White Genre Rhythm and blues | |
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Recorded September 1980, George Massenburg/ARC Studios, West Los Angeles, Los Angeles Similar Earth - Wind & Fire albums, Rhythm and blues albums | ||
Faces is the tenth studio album, a double-LP by R&B artists Earth, Wind & Fire, released in 1980 on ARC/Columbia Records. The album reached number 2 and number 10 on the Billboard Black and Pop albums charts.
Contents
It has been certified gold in the US by the RIAA. In a 2007 interview when asked which EWF album is his favorite Earth, Wind & Fire leader Maurice White replied "Probably Faces because we were really in tune, playing together and it gave us the opportunity to explore new areas".
The lead-off single was "Let Me Talk". The songs "You", and "Sparkle" followed as single releases. Unlike previous Earth, Wind and Fire albums, there was no U.S. tour in support of the album. This was also the last Earth Wind and Fire recording with guitarist Al McKay, who left the group the next year. This album is noted for featuring Steve Lukather, guitarist for EWF's label mate Toto, on the songs "Back on the Road" and "You Went Away".
The song "Pride" was sampled in Raw Man's "Lovers".
Earth wind fire faces 1980
Track Edits
2 extra interludes have been included as part of the album since the release of the Columbia Master's collection in 2011. The track "Oriental" (this interlude is actually on the original album at the very end of "In Time") comes directly before "Faces" while "Pipe Organ" (This interlude was like wise originally part of the song Faces at its conclusion) follows it. Also tracks "You" & "Take it to the Sky" feature significantly longer edits though in the case of "Take it to the Sky" the content comes from the end of "Sail Away".
UK Singles Released
"You" was released as a 7" Single in November 1980 in the UK as an edited version (3:55). The B-side contained the full album version of "Pride". UK Cat No: CBS A1204. UK Jazz Funk and Soul DJs, led by Robbie Vincent and Chris Hill, flipped the single and preferred to play "Pride" on their radio shows and at clubs/venues. "Pride" was and is still considered the stronger track, being a retro throwback to the Earth Wind & Fire sound associated with early hits such as "Saturday Nite" and "Mighty Mighty". The 7" version of "You" was added to the album with a number of other bonus tracks when the album was remastered and updated to CD in 2010.
Accolades
The information regarding accolades attributed to Faces is adapted from SoulTracks.com.
Songs
1Let Me Talk4:08
2Turn It Into Something Good3:53
3Pride4:02