Now, Then & Forever

Now, Then & Forever marks a significant return to form for Earth, Wind & Fire, serving as their first album of original material in eight years. Released in 2013, it was intentionally designed to recapture the 'classic' sonic architecture of their 1970s peak while utilizing modern high-fidelity recording techniques. The album features the core trio of Philip Bailey, Verdine White, and Ralph Johnson, ensuring the band's rhythmic and melodic DNA remains intact. Sonically, the record eschews the electronic programmed trends of the early 2010s in favor of live instrumentation, particularly the iconic brass arrangements that define tracks like 'Sign On' and 'My Promise.' The inclusion of 'Belo Horizonte' nods to the band's long-standing affinity for Brazilian jazz textures. Critically, the album was praised for its refusal to modernize its sound at the expense of its soul, debuting at number 11 on the Billboard 200.