Overall****: After displaying a nice mix of synthesizers and traditional instruments to enhance the EW&F sound in the early 1980's, the group decided to go completely synthetic with this album. "Electric Universe" might as well as been titled "Disaster." Many EW&F fans, as well as new fans had a hard time accepting a change of this magnitude.

It was appealing to listen to groups like "Kraftwerk", "The Human League" and others creating synthetic material in the early 80's but it didnt work too well for the usually innovative EW&F going this route.

Still their are shining moments on "Electric Universe" when considering the ballads, swing and the re-emerging rock-element of the group. Unfortunately, EW&F hit a major snag with more group members leaving and most importantly, a change in the music business in the early 80's displaying formulaic schlock as opposed to conceptual creations.

In the late 80's and throughout the 90's EW&F enjoyed a resurrection, but still not as big as in the late 70's and first 2 years in the 80's. It's too bad that the music business wouldn't allow for the group to just continue to take its time and produce albums or else they may have created a more palatable sound and maybe certain members of EW&F would have hung around longer.

Raise album

Powerlight album

The Ultimate Earth, Wind & Fire Review Site and Discography 1970-1984

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Album: Electric Universe/ Earth, Wind and Fire: Released November 14, 1983. #40 U.S. charts, #8 R&B Charts.



Singles: 1. Magnetic/ The Speed of Love: Released 3rd week of October 1983. #57 Billboard Hot 100, #10 Billboard R&B charts.
2. Touch/ Sweet Sassy Lady: Released 4th week of December. 1983. #103 Billboard Hot 100, #23 Billboard R&B charts.
3. Moonwalk/ We're Living In Our Own Time: 1st week of March. 1984. #67 Billboard R&B charts