Lover's Silhouette

LOVER'S SILHOUETTE / Larry Dunn Orchestra (1996)




Larry Dunn was original member of Earth, Wind & Fire as a keyboardist .
I feel happy that he sometimes appear at the recording of EWF still now.

His solo project is the historical master piece.
The beautiful melody which he plays charms our heart always.

Many members of EWF gathered for this album.
Though I did't get which music and which members were in,
cause of no nortification.

Al McKay / Gutitar
Ronnie Laws / Saxphones
Ralph Johnson / Drums
Louis Satterfield, Don Myrick, Micheal Harris, Luiso,
Elllis Holl, Carl Caewell, Domiq Satterfield / vocals





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Routes

Routes / Ramsey Lewis (1980)
                                                      feat. Earth,Wind & Fire


This is one of historical album that Ramsey Lewis and EWF got together .
From the bigginning, electro piano of Ramsey Lewis lightly pursue scats of Maurice White and John Lind in "Whisper Zone" .
And It easily takes us to the world of them.

Larry Dunn took part in writting in 5 songs.
Among them "Colors In Space"was really like the one of EWF.
I was excited!

Precious sound source in which Earth,Wind & Fire members of those days have participated !
Fan of EWF have to have it!

personals


Ramsey Lewis / Steiway Concer Piano & Fender Rhodes
Larry Dunn / Synthesizer, Piano, Fender Rhodes & Synthesizer Programming
Al McKay / Guitar
Byron Miller / Bass
Ndugh Chancler/ Drums
Kenny Burke/ Bass
Roland  Bautista/ Guitar
Paulinho Da Costa, Philip Bailey, Fred White/ Percussion
Don Myrick / Saxphone
Louis Satterfield / Saxphone
Rahmlee / Flugihom
Michale Davis / Trumpet
James Godson /Drums
Maurice White & <strong>John Lind</strong>/ Vocal
<strong>Warren Weiberg</strong>/ Vocals



1. Whisper Zone
(J Lind, L Dunn, A Mckay)

2. High Point
(L Dunn, A Mckay D Mckay,)

3. Tondelayo
(L Dunn, L White)

4. Caribbean Blue
(L Dunn)

5. Looking Glass
(R Lewis)

6. Come Back Jack
(T Poref)

7. Colors In Space
(M White, L Dunn)

8. Crystals 'n Sequence
(A R Toussaint)

9. You Are The Reason
(J L Mack)

10. Hell On Wheels
(A R Toussaint)

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Intimacy

Intimacy / Ramlee Michael Davis　（2005）



Ramlee used to play trumpet @ " Phinixs　Horns"well known as former horns of
Earth,Wind & Fire.

After they left EWF, they got together with Pill Collins.

This solo works of Ramlee featured some members of EWF.

In this album, although slow melodious music is in the mainstream, the up-tempo ethnic music is also contained.

It is the one which deliver us various expression of the trumpet .

I did't know that he also performs a song!
His voice has a charm astringent enough.


Let me introduce the numbers that EWF members were in!

6. <strong>Rise of the Phenix </strong>(Suite)
Keyboards/ Larry　Dunn

8. <strong>Rise of the Phenix, Pt. 3 </strong>
Gutiar/ Al McKay
Trumpets/ Phenix Horns Esquire
（Rahmlee Davis, Michale Harris, and Honorary lifetime members ,D Myrick, Loise Sathisfield & Uplight)
Trombone/ Michale Harris

9. <strong>Cry of My Heart </strong>

Trumpets/ Phenix Horns Esquire
（Rahmlee Davis, Michale Harris,and Honorary lifetime members ,D Myrick, Loise Sathisfield & Uplight)
Trombone/ Michale Harris

1. Most High  

2. Intimacy  

3. Thank You for Ya  

4. For the Steppers  

5. Solitude  

6. Rise of the Phenix (Suite)  

7. Lembranca  

8. Rise of the Phenix, Pt. 3  

9. Cry of My Heart  

10. He Is Here  

11. Most High [Extended Version]  

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Feat.Al McKay

Albums feat.Al McKay



★　SALONGO / Ransey Lewis(1976)

★　This Is Niecy /　Deniece Williams （1976）

★　In A Special Way / Gane Harris　 (1976)

★　Rejoice / Emotions 　(1977)

★　Tequila Mockingbird　/Ramsey Lewis　（1977）

★  Just A Stone's Throw Away / Valerie Carter　 (1977)

★  Coming Through / Eddie Henderson　（1977）

★　Love Island/ Deodato　(1978)

★　I Won't Break Your Heart / Hiromi Iwasaki　(1984)

★　Truly For You /Temptations　（1984）

★　Adventure/Eleanor Academia　 (1987)

★　In The Storm / El Debarge　 (1992)

★　Just Between Us/Norman Brown　 (1992)

★　The Best Of Blue Magic /Blue Magic　(1996)

★　Intimacy / Rhamlee Michael Davis　（2005）

★　WE ARE FAMILY／　PAT BOONE　(2006)

★　Transatlantic R.P.M.　/ Incognito　(2010）







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The Best Of Blue Magic

The Best Of Blue Magic (1996)




Blue Magic is a R&B and soul group from Philadelphia .
I'd like to buy their 5th album "Message from the Magic"
 which EWF members participated in 1997, and I looked for it variously,
 it wasn't possible to find it.

So I decided to buy their best album including the album song.
This album!
I've never listened to their music before, but I thought that it was very nice!

Striking music with slow rhythm and the melody easy to remenmber .
A high-pitched lead vocal may be sweet and similar to the atmosphere in Stylistics.


It's a song called "I Waited" that Philip Bailey and Al McKay participated.

Philip Bailey also joined in writting with Ernest Staughter, Luther Waters.
Philip Bailey did joined in performance with percussion, but I wanred to listen to his voice ,too.


1. Spell

2. Look Me Up

3. What's Come Over Me

4. Stop To Start

5. Sideshow

6. Welcome To The Club

7. Answer To My Prayer

8. Tear It Down

9. Three Ring Circus

10. Love Has Found Its Way To Me

11. Stringin' Me Along

12. Chasing Rainbows

13. Haunted (By Your Love)

14. The Loneliest House On The Block

15. Grateful

16. Freak-N-Stein

17. Teach Me (It's Something About Love)

18. I Waited

19. Land Of Make-Believe

20. Magic #



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In A Special Way

In A Special Way / Gane Harris (1976)



Gane Harris is a pianist of the soul music jazz learned about by a key word as the warm sound.
Earth,Wind & Fire members participated in his album!

Verdin White / Bass
Al McKay / Electric Guitar
Philip Bailey / Vocal and Percussion

Philip Bailey offerｄ voice to several songs, because it's a chorus, not solo, it's slightly regrettable that his voice can't be confirmed clearly....

Various funk was fused in the accomplice-his piano.

It's the instrumental music with which they're sometimes gentle, is the dear groove sound which stands up unconsciously and is delicate tune, his piano speaks with various expressions.

A1 Theme For Relana
A2 Rebop
A3 Zulu
A4 Always In My Mind
B1 Love For Sale
B2 It's Your Love
B3 Soft Cycles
B4 Five / Four
B5 Naima




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Transatlantic R.P.M.

Transatlantic R.P.M. / Incognito　(2010）

 

Incognito is the British jazz funk group which made the word of Acid jazz famous!

Al McKay participated in their new album !
This is the commemoration album which wuuld be their 30th anniversary with aluxurious guests.
Such as Chaka Chan and Maysa, Mario Biondi... ....

The song that Al McKay did participated lead and a rhythm guitar was "The Song".

Funky tune with slow medium, sounds like "Still a friend of mine".

Harmony of vocal of Chaka Chan and sounds of guitar of Al was really fantasutic!
This is my fovorite album that makes my feet move !

1. Lowdown
2. Everything That We Are
3. 1975
4. Your Sun My Sky
5. Line In The Sand
6. Gotta
7. Let's Fall In Love Again
8. The Song
9. Put A Little Lovin' In Your Heart
10. All Of My Life
11. Expresso Madureira
12. Life Ain't Nothing But A Good Thing
13. Make Room For Love
14. Can't Get Enough
15. The Winter Of My Springs
16. Tell Me What To Do



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Coming Through

Coming Through / Eddie Henderson（1977）



Eddie Hendersonis a jazz artist who has doctor's degree !

His music is called Jazz Funk !
The body instinctively does the frosted, and an unpleasant thing is blown off.

Philip Bailey and Al McKay participated in his 5th album.

Philip Bailey did background vocal and conga.
Al MaKay was with gutar!

I think that EWF Fan can't miss this album.

1 Say You Will
2 Open Eyes
3 Morning Song
4 Movin' On
5 Return To The Source
6 The Funk Surgeon
7 Beyond Forever
8 Connie


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This Is Niecy

This Is Niecy /　Deniece Williams （1976）　



This is the album of Deniece Williams featring menbers of Earth, Wind & Fire!
Famous tune "Free"in this album was also featured in EWF's best album as Deniece Williams　With EWF.

We can listen in some songs to Maurice White's vocal .
”Watching Over ”is really like the funk of EWF.
Cause this song was written by D Williams, M White, F White, V White, J Peter, Al McKay.
I really love this album!


1. It's Important to Me
2. That's What Friends Are For
3. How'd I Know That Love Would Slip Away
4. Cause You Love Me, Baby
5. Free
6. Watching Over
7. If You Don't Believe

Produced by Maurice White & Charles Stepney


Maurice White (v)
Verdine White (b)
Al McKay (g)
Fred White (d)



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Truly For You

Truly For You / Temptations　（1984）



The chorus group which has debuted in 1961.
Famous song ”My girl ”was covered by various artists .
This album of Temptations featuring Alli Ollie Woodson with a new lead vocal.
Single "Treat Her Like a Lady " recorded the smash hit which enters about 2 of R&B chart.

Al McKay and Ralph Johnson of Earth,Wind & Fire participated as producers of this album!

They gatherd a beautiful chorus of Temptations and a light tune excellently.
Johnny Graham aiso participated with gitar.


01. Running
02. Treat Her Like a Lady
03. How Can You Say That It's Over
04. My Love Is True (Truly for You)
05. Memories
06. Just to Keep You in My Life
07. Set Your Love Right
08. I'll Keep My Light in My Window


Al McKay/ Guitar
Jonny Graham/ Guitar
Ralph Johnson/ Percussion
Paulinco Da Costa/ Percussion



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Salongo

Salongo / Ransey Lewis (1976)



I heard that " Salongo" means to creates something beautiful by the loved words in Zairian words."....

This is the 2nd version album that Maurice White produced his master Ramsey Lewis!
As the title, something beautiful was created neatly.


Though he put jazz in the center axis, the rhythm which sounds like Africa and Brazil was being taken in.

There was also thrilling sequence done throbbingly.

The gentle ring you can make purify of anxiety at the heart also exists.

A combination of Maurice White and Ramsey Lewis did the big creation !

Anyway a ring of a piano of Ramsey sounds like person's voice.
It's whispered quietly, and made feeling conceited, and... the feeling = heart is being transmitted from its sound perfectly.

1. Slick
(M White, C Stepney)

2. Aufu Oodu
(D Reheem)

3. Rubato
( C Stepney)

4. Salongo
(B Gregory)

5. Brazilica
(M White, M Yarbrough)

6. Nicole
(K Lind)

7. Seventh Fold
( C Stepney)

Produced by Maurice White & Charles Stepney

Featring
Larry Dunn
Al McKay
Don Myrick
Verdine White



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Just Between Us

Just Between Us　/ Norman Brown (1992)




Norman Brown is a guitarist anｄ also a vocalist.
He is also known as a member of BWB..
The sound of the beautiful guitar may colour your adult atmospheric night.
Members of Earth,Wind &Fire participated in his solo debut album.
The song they participated was "Love's Holiday",well known number of EWF!
The guitar confrontation of Noman Brown and Al McKay is quite thrilling.
It's worth listening!.

Base/Verdine White
Guitar/Al McKay, Norman Brown
Sax,Flute/ Gary Bias


1. Stormin'
2. Just Between Us
3. East Meets West
4. Love's Holiday
5. It's A Feelin'
6. Too High
7. Something Just For You
8. Here To Stay
9. Moonlight Tonight
10. Sweet Taste
11. Inside


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Just A Stone's Throw Away

Just A Stone's Throw Away / Valerie Carter (1977)



The 2nd solo album of Valerie Carter who had made many collaboration with various artists!

She's learned about by a category of a rock'n'roll, but the songs recorded in this album is expressive in various way!
She heal our ears and hearts with suitable way of singing from a ballade ,blues as well as a good song of up tempo tune.
I think it was from the relationship of the contest with the former artists, many big artists participated in this album !

Our Earth,Wind&Fire also participated in ２songs of this album.
They gave a happy groove to this album under Maurice White's produce.

Produce&Back Vocal/ Maurice White
Base/ Verdine White
Gutar/ Al McKay
Keyboard/ Larry Dunn
Drums/ Fred White
Sax/ Andrew Woolfolk
Sax/ Don Myrick


"So, So, Happy" is a light and fun song.
When you listen to this,your heart soon gets to skip!

”City Lights”is really the sound of EWF!
The song was writtten by EWF member and plyed with the beats of EWF on 70's!
If it was recorded in an album of EWF, it's so natural.

If there is any fan of EWF who has not checked yet → should listen by all means!


1. Ooh Child
2. Ringing DoorbellsIn The Rain
3. Heartache
4. Face Of Appalachia
5. So, So, Happy
6. A Stones's Throw Away
7. Cowboy Angel
8. City Lights
9. Back To Blue Some More



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Tequila Mockingbird

Tequila Mockingbird　/Ramsey Lewis　（1977）


The album full of groove sense of the 47th of Ramsey Lewis　that members of Earth,Wind&Fire participated.

Expression of the sound of the keyboard his finger plays.
I always think. That the voice of musical instrumen changes by an artist,
3 songs of this this album (Tequila Mockingbird, Skippin' and That Ole Bach Magic), were produced by Larry Dunn !

Member of EWF cooperated.
But it's slightly unexpected that Maurice White awsn't in this....

"Tequila Mockingbird"as an album title song is so funky that you suppose it's like as a performance by a EWF member really!
You linger in ears surely, and how many times may they feel like hearing repeatedly?

" Skippin'" It makes us make move lightly!
"Morning "of David Foster bearing a close resemblance that is so the familiar you feel like skipping.

" That Ole Bach Magic "is also a short song, but it's the tune creating a nice unique groove sense.
The keyboard sounds of Ramsey Lewis are also attractive even the menbers of EWF don't participate of course !
Eddie del Barrio also participated in this album.


I think it's better to listen if you are the EWF fan!


Ramsey Lewis (p,key)

Larry Dunn (key)

Ronnie Laws (ss)

Al McKay (g)

Verdin White (b)

Philip Bailey (per)

1. Tequila Mockingbird
2. Wandering Rose
3. Skippin'
4. My Angel's Smile
5. Camino El Bueno
6. Caring For You
7. Intimacy
8. That Ole Bach Magic


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Daydream Coast

Daydream Coast / Naoko Kawai (1984)




DAYDREAM COAST
Naoko Kawai is a Japanese idle singer in 80's.

Ralph Johnson and Al McKay in Earth,Wind& Fire participated in song production.
I think it's quite high ranking music even it tastes little nosutalgic.
There are the melodies sounds like those of the United States in 80 's.
A male vocalist plays a duet with Naoko Kawai in English by 3 and 7,
I felt that the way where lyrics are English was more suitable for those song.

I like "Home Again, Alone Again" in slow emotion.


Peter Cetera, David Foster...also participated in this album!


1.　If You Want Me (Eric Bulling, Al Mckay)
2.　Second Nature (Eric Bulling, Tony Haynes)
3.　Live Inside Your Love (David Bryant, Tony Haynes)
4.　I Love It (Carmen Grillo)
5.　Angela (Eric Bulling, Ralph Johnson, Al Mckay)
6. What Comes Around Goes Around (Eric Bulling, Ralph Johnson)
7. Love Assistant (Eric Bulling, Ralph Johnson, Randy Kerber)
8.　Wisdom Ride (Eric Bulling, Al Mckay, Yvonne Scott)
9.　Home Again, Alone Again (Eric Bulling, Ralph Johnson)
10. As Long As We're Dreaming (Al Mckay, David Bryant, Tony Haynes)

Ralph Johnson: percussions on 4, 9
background vocal on 4


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I Won't Break Your Heart

I Won't Break Your Heart / Hiromi Iwasaki　(1984)


 This is the album of Japanese talented singer Hiromi Iwasaki,recorded in LA.
So Briiliant Album she made with gorgeous guests!
Ralph Johnson and Al McKay participated in this album!
David Foster also joined with keyboard.
We can listen to the duet of Hiromi Iwasaki & Bill Camplin in the song "The Both Of Us"
Anyway,this album is really worty to listen!

1.Sticky Situation (Eric Bulling, Al Mckay, Doris Pride)
2.Come Softly (Eric Bulling, Al Mckay, Tony Haynes)
3.Passion Is (Eric Bulling, Ralph Johnson,Yvonne Scott) 4.Secret Eyes (Eric Bulling, Tony Haynes)
5.I Do (Eric Bulling, Alex Costandinos,Tony Haynes)
6.Both Of Us (Bill Champlin,Carmen Grillo)
7.Could You Be The One (Eric Bulling, Yvonne Scott)
8.Here We Are (Eric Bulling, Al Mckay, Yvonne Scott)
9.Every Now And Then (Bill Champlin, Billy Katt)
10.I Won't Break Your Heart (Eric Bulling, Al Mckay, Yvonne Scott)

Ralph Johnson: percussions on sideA-1,3,4,5, sideB-2,4
　　　 background vocal on sideA-1, sideB-4


7 more songs of Hiromi Iwasaki were containd in this CD .

11・２０歳の恋
12・眠りの船
13・未完の肖像
14・二時に泣かせて
15・橋
16・逃亡者
17・そばに置いて


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In The Storm

In The Storm / El Debarge (1992)



It's really ! My favorite album !
It's danceable in Sweet mood!

Beautiful high tone voice of El Berbage is really pleasant!
The 3rd back solo album which played an active part in DeBarge which is Family Group.

This work was produced by El Debarge and Maurice White.
A member of Earth,Wind&Fire participated in this a lot, too.

The album must-hear for a EWF fan!
The last song of this album "!Special"was produced and written by El Debarge and Maurice White !
Maurice also participated in backing vocal!

1 Elmo Funk
2 Fast Lane
3 After The Dance
4 My Heart Belongs To You
5 Cry
6 Love Me Tonight
7 Soncerely Yours
8 You Know What I Like
9 Tip Of My Tounge
10 Soul Searchin'
11 In The Storm
12 And Then I Wrote
13 Thick
14 Another Chance
15 Leggs
16 Elmo Funk
17 You To Turn Me On
18 Prelude To Midnight
19 Special

Don Myrick With Saxohone/6,8,
Al McKay With Guitar/ 10,
Gary Bias With Saxophone
Ray Brown With Trumpet
Reggie Young With Trombone
Bill Meyers With Horn Arrengement /11,13,14,15,
Maurice White With Background Vocal
Johnny Gtaham With Guiitar /19

This is the album you make be fascinated really!



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Live At Mt.Fuji Jazz Festival 2002

Live At Mt.Fuji Jazz Festival 2002 / Al McKay All Stars (2003)



Making of hot, live sound source done in Ｍount Fuji jazz festival of Japan in 2002.
Big waves of the groove covered audhience with Al McKay's big guitar technique!
So Funky!
It hallucinates we are in the hall when enlarging and listening to the volume.
I wanted to see this LIVE then,
In the composition tune, all are many of the famous piece of music of Earth and
Wind&Fire.
Especially, the music at the age when Al is on the register.
It may be thought that it is CD of EWF when the person who doesn't know him well.

Though it was the highest condition for everything to rise to the ear for the EWF fan ,
I thought that I also wanted an original number as Al Mckay All Stars to be crazy!


1 Power
2 Afiricano
3 Afiricano/ Alllstars Suite
4 Serpentime Fire
5 Pride
6 In The Stone
7 Fantasy
8 Jupiter
9 Getaway
10 Magic Mind
11 Get Your Feelings Show
12 Can't Hide Love
13 That's The Way Of The World
14 September
15 Let's Groove


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Adventure

Adventure / Eleanor Academia (1987)




The album , Maurice White and Al McKay participated.
For ELEANOR ACADEMIA, in her of the LA growth of the Hawaii birth, parents are Pilippines.

An exotic Asian sound gives the spice to this album and it is the re-charm.
She plays most musical instruments, and attractive tone quality for vocal to enter our body naturally through the ear.

I heard that her demo tape at first , Maurice, Al, and the Manhattan record in New York showed the acute interest.

Having been released after all : from Epic Sony in Japan.
The application for Japan that had laid weight in her self produce ability seems to have acted well.
Maurice of EWF participated by three Background vocal.
The high pitched sound of Maurice favors the tune wonderfully.
Al McKay participated in two with the guitar about the Maurice participation.

Better Than Safe Than Sorry
I'm Human
One Dot World


One profitable piece that we can enjoy voice of Maurice and guitar of Al .
I love this album !



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Earth Wind & Fire Experience Live in Europe

Earth Wind & Fire Experience Live in Europe / Al McKay All Stars



It went to Blue Note Tokyo to see LIVE of Al McKay All Stars on Friday night.
The highest stage.
I wanted to listen to their original tunes more though it was selection that made the hit of EWF a center.

I got a autograph of Al McKay and the members this DVD jacket of Earth Wind & Fire Experience Live in Europe(DVD) bought in the hall !
I told him a thanks to add me as in My Space .



It was not possible to find it though it looked for this DVD with AMAZON.
I could find Only CD as the same tittle!



But I could find that we can buy this dvd on his official home page.
http://www.almckay.com/store.php
I recommend to have it!
Ｗe can enjoy feeling the presence of live.
We can experience the Earth,Wind Fire!


1 Power
2 Africano
3 Allstars Suite
4 Serpentine Fire
5 Pride
6 Got To Get You Into My Life
7 Saturday Night
8 Shining Star
9 I'll Write A Song For You
10 Love's Holiday
11 After The Love Has Gone
12 Reasons
13 In The Stone
14 Fantasy
15 Jupitar
16 Getaway
17 Magic Mind
18 Let Your Feelings Show
19 Can't Hide Love
20 That's The Way Of The World
21 September
22 Bogie Wonderland



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