Release Date:May 20, 2003 Availability:Usually ships in 1-2 business days Shipping:Expedited shipping available Shipping:International shipping available Condition:Ships Within 24 Hours - Satisfaction Guaranteed!
Album Description This album exemplifies the tradition of EW&F's musical integrity combining simple melodies and strong rhythms with their signature horn section and background vocals. 17 tracks of pure listening pleasure. Digipak. Kalimba. 2003.
Customer Reviews:
EWF - The PromiseAugust 9, 2007 Kate(Barters Island, ME USA) Excellent Album!!!! Every song on this album is awesome! Now that is the EWF I have always loved!
Number oneDecember 6, 2006 Georgios L. Makrigiannis One of the best r&b albums of the 00's , try it you wont' regret it 10000% !!!! Pure Earth Wind and Fire sound ! 5 stars.
Earth Wind & Fire In A Romantic Kind Of MoodJuly 31, 2006 Andre S. Grindle(Brewer Maine) 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
It might be easy to guess a lot of hard core Earth Wind & Fire fans had a hard time sitting through the bands 1990's releases that largely found the band pandering to modern rap and new jack tastes.By the time 'The Promise' came around tastes had again changed in EWF's favor-new jack was out and neo soul was in!'The Promise',for once features a great vocal balance-Maurice White and Philip Bailey both vocally soar to the sky just like they used to.The majority of these tunes showcase the smooth songwriting of the band at mid and low tempos-there are only two uptemp tunes here,both terrific.The marvelously crafted "All In The Way" and the classicly funky "Dirty"-yes it's a remix of an older unrealesed tune from 1979 but it sounds great.Of the ballads the stratospheric "Betcha'" and the dynamic "Freedom" are standouts.And there are more then a fare share of surprises such as the title song-trickled throughout the CD in the form of brief interludes-all with a great modern African type rhythm and some of Maurices great rhythmic kalimba playing."Wiggle" is a funky tune reminiscent of "Mizar" from the 'Powerlight' album but isn't even as long as that interlude,sadly.Both should've been fleshed out.In the bands vast catolog 'The Promise' is the bands modern day equivilant of their 1980 'Faces'-it is'nt particularly commercial and was never intended to be.What it does do is focus on the fact that Maurice and company can still turn in great tunes and the Phenix horns and their classic instrumentation are still highly relevant and all generations of listeners will still flock to hear them,particularly the young generation without the band having to change their basic sound.Plus it also provides a wonderul album lengh experience even if it contains no major hits.'The Promise' lives up to it's title of what Earth Wind & Fire fans expected for over a decade-for the band to just be themselves.
The Promise is a Winner, BUT Get The Japanese Import Edition!June 18, 2006 chakasworld(Atlanta, GA United States) 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Like most EWF fans, I rushed out to buy 'The Promise' when it was released a few years ago, but later found a Japanese Import edition of the CD with 2 BONUS TRACKS ('Soul' & 'So Lucky'). These tracks ARE NOT TO BE MISSED, and it's a shame that EWF fans in the USA don't get the superior editions of CDs that are sold in Japan.
At any rate, I invested in one of those Japanese imports, sold my inferior USA edition, and then added 2 extra bonus remixes of 'All In The Way' (the Maxi CD single is STILL AVAILABLE!!) to create a 21 Track ULTIMATE EDITION of 'The Promise' which is GREAT! EWF fans can do the same thing if record companies insist on selling inferior CDs to fans in the USA! 1. I'm giving the USA Edition of 'The Promise' 4 Stars..(The digipak case & lack of the 2 Bonus Tracks are a BIG letdown!) 2. The Japanese Import is rated higher because of more music, and the packaging is also superior...lyrics & standard jewel case included!! All in all...a 4.5 star rating for 'The Promise'!! Peace, SD (of Chaka's World)
I Love This AlbumApril 11, 2006 Lonnie C. Elias Jr.(Dover, DE USA) 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I couldn't wait to purchase this album from the moment I heard "All In The Way" on the radio. I have to agree that "The Promise" is among the most inspirational and powerful albums ever recorded. This CD went everywhere I did! It took me to the office every morning and back home in the evenings. I told all my friends about this album and REFUSED to burn them a copy. "You must buy this CD. It's too good to burn." Any fan of EWF would love this album! It's the perfect balance of the vintage EWF and today's popular sounds. While it contains some of today's pop influence it is still very much for grown ups and "hip" youngsters. I hear the very same musical elements that made me fall in love with EWF as a child in the 70's. This recording is very special to me personally because I grew up listening to EWF learning what love is. This album is like looking back at everything that has made you what you are today and celebrating your accomplishments. EWF's music is so full of feeling and emotion that I become so involved in listening that I sometimes become teary-eyed. Their music is made for so much more than just listening. One must "experience" their music. It's almost spiritual for me. The music of EWF stands the test of time and spans several generations. EWF was kicking it strong when my parents were dating. And more than likely my kids will grow to love and appreciate their music as well. I highly recommend that anyone who is a fan of EWF or good music pick this up. You won't be disappointed.
