Another Time (1974)

Maurice White - vocals, drums, percussion, kalimba Wade Flemons - vocals, vibes, electric piano Don Whitehead - keyboards, vocals Verdine White - bass Sherry Scott - vocals Michael Beal - guitar, harmonica Leslie Dayton - trumpet Alex Thomas - trombone Chester (Chet) Washington - tenor saxophone Yackov Ben Israel - (Phil Williams) - congas, percussion Joe Wissert - Producer Douglas Botnick - Engineer (Warner Brothers 1905.

The first two Earth, Wind and Fire albums were recorded in 1970 and 1971 for Warner Brothers records and the record company had the rights to all of EW&F's recordings from that time. 
 In early 1972, Clive Davis (President of Columbia Records) attended an EW&F concert and liked what he saw setting the wheels in motion for Columbia Records to buy out EW&F's contract from Warners Brothers Records and sign the group to their roster.  EW&F responded by creating a larger fanbase between late 1972 and the middle of 1974 placing itself among the top R&B groups of it's time .
 By mid-1974 Warner Brothers wanted to cash in on the growing EW&F phenomenon so they re-released EW&F's first two albums and made it into a two-record set. Warner Brothers Records called this album "Another Time". This album actually has a bit of it's own identity. There are no interludes the sound quality is slightly improved and the order of songs is different. Another Time was the first chance for many EW&F fans to hear what the group produced during it's pre-Columbia days enabling "Another Time" to make it onto the album charts. The album cover and inner sleeve are eye-catching, maybe even funny to some observers. The front and back are of an African-American female with three arms and hands protuding from her head, holding the Earth, a tornado(wind) and a fire. The inner sleeve is of someone waving or making signals while he's out in a field somewhere (whatever).  It's understandable that Warner Brothers wanted to take advantage of the success of EW&F, but whatever mind-boggling message there was, is anybody's guess.

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