behindthegrooves:

On this in music history: November 21, 1977 – “All ‘N’ All”, the eighth studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire is released. Produced by Maurice White, it is recorded at Hollywood Sound, Sunset Sound in Hollywood, CA and Burbank Studios in Burbank, CA from April – August 1977. After a recent tour of South America in support of their previous album “Spirit”, Earth, Wind & Fire return to the studio, heavily influenced by the rhythms and sounds of Brazilian music. They incorporate these new musical influences into their trademark sound that represent another creative leap forward. Their first full album without the guiding hand of co-producer and arranger Charles Stepney (who passed away in May of 1976), the band take the lessons they have learned from their mentor, and go to the next level with them. Upon its release, “All ‘N’ All” is regarded a landmark in the bands’ career both artistically and commercially. It spins off two singles (in the US) including “Serpentine Fire” (#1 R&B, #13 Pop) and “Fantasy” (#12 R&B, #32 Pop). The LP’s breathtaking outer cover and inner gatefold artwork, is the first of five EW&F album covers illustrated by Japanese artist Shusei Nagaoka. Original LP pressings come packaged an oversized 30" x 40" poster featuring individual portraits and group photos of the band. “All ‘N” All" wins two Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus (for the entire album) and Best R&B Instrumental Performance for the track “Runnin’” in 1979. Remastered numerous times since first appearing on CD in 1986, the album is well lauded for its excellent engineering and mix by long time EW&F recording engineer George Massenburg. Issued as a half-speed mastered LP by CBS in the early 80’s, it is also one of the first titles issued in their 24K gold Mastersound audiophile CD series in 1994. It is remastered again in 1999 as a standard redbook CD with three additional bonus tracks. It is most recently reissued in 2011 as part of the box set “Earth, Wind & Fire – The Columbia Masters” (minus the extra tracks). To commemorate its 40th anniversary, “All ‘N’ All” is released as a limited edition LP in August of 2017, pressed on 180 gram translucent gold vinyl. The package replicates the original gatefold sleeve and comes with a double sided 12" x 24" poster, lyrics and a quote from bandleader Maurice White. The new vinyl reissue marks the first time the classic album is available in that format in nearly thirty years. “All ‘N’ All” spends nine weeks at number one on the Billboard R&B album chart, peaking at number three on the Top 200, and is certified 3x Platinum in the US by the RIAA.