Now, Then & Forever

Now, Then & Forever is the 20th studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire, released on September 10, 2013, by Legacy Recordings/Sony Music.[1] It is its first studio release for Sony Music since Heritage from 1990. The album reached No. 11 on the Billboard 200 and No. 6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[2][3]

Now, Then & Forever
Studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire
Released	September 10, 2013
Recorded	2012-2013
Genre	R&B, funk
Length	43:21
Label	Legacy
Producer	Philip J. Bailey (Executive), Verdine White (Executive), Philip D. Bailey, Larry Dunn, Myron Mc Kinley, Justin Paraniello, Walt B., Neal Pogue
Earth, Wind & Fire chronology
S.O.U.L. (2013) Now, Then & Forever (2013) Holiday (2014)
Singles from Now, Then and Forever
"Guiding Lights" Released: 2012 "My Promise" Released: 2013

Overview

This is the first Earth, Wind & Fire album without musical input from founder Maurice White although he supplied liner notes. Larry Dunn, a former bandmember, featured as a keyboardist on the album.[4]

Within the album's liner notes, a note from Maurice White is included:

As we see today’s technology uniting the world wide web, sometimes it seems that the hearts of men are growing more distant from each other. It is my hope that this music will continue to tie past to future, reminding us of the love that united us to our ancestors, and to our descendants, and to each other. Peace,

— Maurice White

[1]

A deluxe edition of the LP came coupled with a compilation album.[5]

Singles

A track called "Guiding Lights" rose to No. 16 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Songs chart and No. 30 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart.[6][7] Another single entitled "My Promise" reached No. 28 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart and No. 30 on the BillboardAdult Contemporary Songs chart.[8][9]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[10]
Exclaim	(8/10)[11]
Popmatters	(favourable)[12]
People	(favourable)[13]
Daily Record	(3/5)[14]
RTÉ	(4/5)[15]
Daily Mirror	[16]
Record Collector	[17]
Blues & Soul	(9/10)[18]

Matt Bauer of Exclaim gave a 8 out of 10 rating, noting that "Now, Then & Forever is a more than worthy addition to the Earth Wind & Fire catalogue."[11] With a four out of five rating Harry Guerin of RTÉ called Now, Then & Forever "One of the surprises of the year."[15] Elias Leight of Popmatters wrote "Now, Then & Forever has all the old colors and grooves, an impeccable rhythm section, prominent guitars, and indomitable horns that trace and re-trace motifs, dancing rings around everything."[12] With a three out of five stars rating Gavin Martin of the Daily Mirror exclaimed "Elements of greatness remain but the songs aren't classics."[16] Daryl Easlea of Record Collector gave a four out of five stars rating and found that "Now, Then And Forever, is a splendid diversion that recalls – in spirit alone, of course – Rick Rubin’s recent work with Black Sabbath. It also sounds like a lost album that should have come out after 1979’s I Am: a very shrewd approximation of the EWF we know and love, it’s crammed with sophisticated R&B, gossamer-light jazz and powerful, soulful vocals with a positive message.[17] Andy Kellman of Allmusic gave a three out of five stars rating saying "Now, Then & Forever demonstrates the lasting value of the band's classic sound."[10] With a three out of five rating the Daily Record called Now, Then & Forever "a worthy effort, and EWF are clearly using old glories as inspiration for the future."[14]

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Sign On"	Philip D. Bailey, Sharlotte Gibson, Austin Jacobs, Daniel McClain, Neal H. Pogue, Darrin Simpson	4:17
2.	"Love Is Law"	Allen Bundy, Lee Hutson, Jr., Jairus Lemuel-Jada Mozee, Ric'key Pageot, Eric Rousseau, Meg Todd	4:20
3.	"My Promise"	Siedah Garrett, Austin Jacobs, Darrin Simpson	3:22
4.	"Guiding Lights"	Philip D. Bailey, Austin Jacobs, Daniel McClain, Darrin Simpson	6:24
5.	"Got to Be Love"	Philip D. Bailey, Philip J. Bailey, Ralph Johnson, Myron McKinley	3:41
6.	"Belo Horizonte"	Raymond Crossley, Frederick A. Johnson, Ralph Johnson, Morris O'Connor	1:50
7.	"Dance Floor"	Philip D. Bailey, Sondria Bailey, Justin Panariello	4:59
8.	"Splashes"	Philip D. Bailey, Justin Panariello	5:21
9.	"Night of My Life"	Philip D. Bailey, Jevon McGlory, Justin Panariello	4:00
10.	"The Rush"	Philip J. Bailey, Larry Dunn, Allee Willis	5:07

Target edition bonus tracks[19]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
11.	"Hero As He Rose"	Philip D. Bailey, Jevon McGlory, Justin Panariello	4:00
12.	"Whirlwind"		5:37

Best Buy bonus tracks[20]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
11.	"Can't Hide Love (Masters at Work Remix)"	Skip Scarborough
12.	"Shining Star (DJ Jin Asakusa Samba Remix)"	Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn, Maurice White

French bonus track[21]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
11.	"My Promise" (featuring Omar Sy)	Siedah Garrett, Austin Jacobs, Darrin Simpson	3:25

Deluxe edition bonus tracks[5]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
11.	"Boogie Wonderland" (featuring The Emotions)	Jon Lind, Allee Willis
12.	"Sing a Song"	Al McKay, Maurice White
13.	"September"	Al McKay, Maurice White, Allee Willis
14.	"Let's Groove"	Wayne Vaughn, Maurice White
15.	"Got To Get You Into My Life"	John Lennon, Paul McCartney
16.	"After The Love Has Gone"	David Foster, Jay Graydon, Bill Champlin

International edition Disc 2[22]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
13.	"Can't Let Go"	Bill Meyers, Maurice White, Allee Willis
14.	"Runnin’"	Maurice, White, Larry Dunn, Eddie DelBarrio
15.	"Shining Star"	Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn, Maurice White
16.	"Turn It Into Something Good"	Valerie Carter, James Newton Howard, Maurice White
17.	"Power"	Maurice White, Earth, Wind & Fire
18.	"You And I"	Maurice White, Allee Willis, David Foster
19.	"Fantasy"	Maurice White, Verdine White, Eddie DelBarrio

Japan Limited Edition Disc 2[23]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
13.	"Can't Let Go"	Bill Meyers, Maurice White, Allee Willis
14.	"Runnin’"	Maurice, White, Larry Dunn, Eddie DelBarrio
15.	"Shining Star"	Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn, Maurice White
16.	"Turn It Into Something Good"	Valerie Carter, James Newton Howard, Maurice White
17.	"Power"	Maurice White, Earth, Wind & Fire
18.	"You And I"	Maurice White, Allee Willis, David Foster
19.	"Fantasy"	Maurice White, Verdine White, Eddie DelBarrio
20.	"Can't Hide Love"	Skip Scarborough
21.	"September"	Al McKay, Maurice White, Allee Willis
22.	"September (DJ KOMORI Remix)"	Al McKay, Maurice White, Allee Willis
23.	"Let's Groove (TJO & YUSUKE from BLU-SWING Remix)"	Maurice White, Wayne Vaughn

Personnel

Adapted from the album's text.[1]

Philip Bailey — producer, executive producer, lead and background vocals, percussion Trinity Bailey — A&R Jon Barnes — trumpet Duane Benjamin — trombone Gary Bias — alto and tenor saxophones Mathieu Bitton — design Terence Blanchard — trumpet Errol Cooney — guitar Sal Cracchiolo — trumpet Tishaun Dawson — cover art, creative director Reggie Dozier — horn engineer Larry Dunn — engineer, Fender Rhodes, Hammond B3, handclapping, keyboards, Mini Moog, Moog synthesizer, grand piano, producer, soloist, synthesizer Jennifer Feinberg — project director Chuck Findley — flugelhorn, trumpet James Ford — trumpet Matthew Fronke — trumpet Siedah Garrett — background vocals Jerry Hey — horn arrangements J.R. Hutson — producer Dr. Billy Ingram — insert photography Fred Jackson, Jr. — flute, tenor saxophone Munyungo Jackson — percussion Austin Jacobs — composer, keyboards, programming, synthesizer Ralph Johnson - drums, percussion Eric Jorgensen — trombone Wendell Kelly — trombone Paul Klingberg — engineer Nicholas Lane — trombone David Leach — percussion Daniel McClain — background vocals Jevon McGlory — background vocals

Myron McKinley — Fender Rhodes, keyboards, producer, synthesizer Justin Merrill — engineer Gregory Moore — guitar Kenny Moran — engineer, percussion engineer, synthesizer Jarius Mozee — guitars Vernon Mungo — vocal engineer Morris O'Connor — guitars Jeremiah Olvera — mixing assistant Don Pace — cover art Ric'key Pageot — keyboards, synthesizer Justin Panariello — producer John Pappenbrook — trumpet Jim Parham — project director John Paris — drums, background vocals Dave Pensado — mixing Neil Pogue — A&R Neal H. Pogue — additional production, engineer, handclapping, mixing, percussion, producer Satnam Ramgotra — tabla David Rideau — engineer Darrin Simpson — guitar, Hammond B3, handclapping, horn arrangements, keyboards, piano, programming, synthesizer Damien Smith — A&R Jubu Smith — guitars Michael "Patches" Stewart — trumpet Randee St. Nicholas — photography Juan F. "Jef" Villaluna — guitar Mark Visher — baritone and tenor saxophones Wait B — handclapping, producer Verdine White — bass, executive producer, handclapping, mixing assistant B David Whitworth — background vocals, percussion Benjamin Wright — conductor, horn arrangements Reggie Young — bass and tenor trombones

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2013) Peak position scope="row" Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[24] 75 scope="row" Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[25] 171 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[26] 121 French Albums (SNEP)[27] 94 scope="row" German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[28] 55 Japanese Albums (Oricon)[29] 34 South Korean Albums (Gaon)[30] 26 Italian Albums (FIMI)[31] 14 scope="row" Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[32] 35 scope="row" Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[33] 85 scope="row" Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[34] 96 UK Albums (OCC)[35] 25 scope="row" US Billboard 200[36] 11 scope="row" US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[37] 6

Year-end charts Chart (2013) Position US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[38] 80

Singles - Billboard (US)

Year	Single	Chart	Position
2012	"Guiding Lights"	Smooth Jazz Songs[7]	16
		Adult R&B Songs[6]	30
2013	"My Promise"	Adult R&B Songs[8]	28
		Adult Contemporary[9]	30

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[39]	Silver	60,000
^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone

References

1. Earth, Wind & Fire: Now, Then & Forever. Sony Music. September 2013.
2. "Earth, Wind & Fire: Now, Then & Forever (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
3. "Earth, Wind & Fire: Now, Then & Forever (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard.
4. Music News Desk. "FIRST LISTEN: Earth, Wind & Fire's New Single 'Sign On'". broadwayworld.com.
5. Earth, Wind & Fire: Now, Then & Forever (Deluxe Edition). Sony Music. September 2013.
6. "Earth, Wind & Fire: Guiding Lights (Smooth Jazz Songs)". billboard.com. Billboard.
7. "Earth, Wind & Fire: Guiding Lights (Adult R&B Songs)". billboard.com. Billboard.
8. "Earth, Wind & Fire: My Promise (Adult R&B Songs)". billboard.com. Billboard.
9. "Earth, Wind & Fire: My Promise (Adult Contemporary Songs)". billboard.com. Billboard.
10. Andy Kellman. "Now, Then & Forever - Earth, Wind & Fire - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". allmusic.com. AllMusic.
11. Bauer, Matt (September 6, 2013). "Earth, Wind, and Fire: Now, Then & Forever". exclaim.ca. Exclaim.
12. Leight, Elias (September 22, 2013). "Earth, Wind and Fire: Now, Then & Forever". popmatters.com. Popmatters.
13. Arnold, Chuck (October 7, 2013). "Picks and Pans Review: Quick Cuts". people.com. People.
14. "Album Reviews: The latest tracks from Katy Perry + James Blunt + Andrea Bocelli + Earth, Wind & Fire + Polica". dailyrecord.co.uk. Daily Record. November 8, 2013.
15. Guerin, Harry (October 23, 2013). "Earth, Wind & Fire - Now, Then & Forever". rte.ie. RTÉ.
16. Martin, Gavin (September 20, 2013). "MUSIC TALK with JOHN TURRELL Music". proquest.com. Daily Mirror. p. 7.
17. Easlea, Daryl. "EARTH, WIND AND FIRE NOW, THEN AND FOREVER". recordcollectormag.com. Record Collector.
18. Baird, Emerys. "REVIEW EARTH, WIND & FIRE: NOW, THEN & FOREVER (SONY)". bluesandsoul.com. Blues & Soul.
19. Earth Wind & Fire: Now, Then & Forever (Target Edition). Sony/Legacy. 2013.
20. Earth Wind & Fire: Now, Then & Forever (Best Buy Edition). Sony/Legacy. 2013.
21. "Deezer is coming soon!". Deezer.
22. Earth Wind & Fire: Now, Then & Forever (International Edition Disc2). Sony/Legacy. 2013.
23. Earth Wind & Fire: Now, Then & Forever (Japan Limited Edition). Sony/Legacy. 2013.
24. "Austriancharts.at – Earth Wind And Fire – Now, Then & Forever" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 04, 2013.
25. "Ultratop.be – Earth, Wind & Fire – Now, Then & Forever" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
26. "Ultratop.be – Earth, Wind & Fire – Now, Then & Forever" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
27. "Lescharts.com – Earth Wind And Fire – NOW, THEN & FOREVER (ALBUM)". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 05, 2013.
28. "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH. Retrieved October 06, 2013.
29. "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2013-09-23" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
30. "South Korea Gaon Album Chart". On the page, select "2013-09-14" to obtain the corresponding chart. Gaon Chart Retrieved October 19, 2013.
31. "Italiancharts.com – Earth, Wind & Fire – Now, Then & Forever". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
32. "Dutchcharts.nl – Earth Wind And Fire – Now, Then & Forever" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
33. "Swisscharts.com – Earth Wind And Fire – Now, Then & Forever". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 06, 2013.
34. "Spanishcharts.com – Earth Wind And Fire – Now, Then & Forever". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
35. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
36. "Earth, Wind & Fire Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
37. "Earth, Wind & Fire Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
38. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
39. "British album certifications – Earth Wind & Fire – Now Then & Forever". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 21, 2020. Select albums in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Now Then & Forever in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.