Earth, Wind and Fire - Illumination (Sanctuary)

The Black Eyed Peas' Will.I.Am helps kick the collection off with celebratory soul on "Lovely People," and midway through "Pure Gold," the second track, the listener realizes once again what a gorgeous instrument Philip Bailey's voice is. While most of the album is bathed in old school r&b horns and rhythms, there is just enough technological pizazz on tracks like "Love's Dance" to clear out any musical cobwebs.

The presence of guest artists on Illumination adds an air of reverence for Earth, Wind and Fire from the current generation of musicians. The Atlanta-based Organized Noize crew, complete with Sleepy Brown and Outkast's Big Boi enlivens the classic Earth, Wind and Fire vibe of "This Is How I Feel" with a rap, vocals and an additional guest star in Destiny's Child's Kelly Rowland. Organized Noize also produced "The One," the showcase for Earth, Wind and Fire's founder and spiritual guiding light Maurice White. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis also pitch in their trademark soulful sheen while maintaining the horns and funky rhythms of classic Earth, Wind and Fire.

35 years into their existence, there are few r&b or pop groups that can as effectively straddle the boundary between classic and contemporary sounds the way Earth, Wind and Fire do here. Illumination is truly a classic package. There are a few slow spots here, and the attempted blend of Floetry's hip-hop poetics with Philip Bailey's vocal gymnastics on "Elevated" doesn't quite gel. However, listening to Illumination is a great way to illustrate to today's young listener's where the inspiration came from for much of today's top hip hop and r&b. As a coda to the album, and a direct illustration of the successful blend of classic and contemporary, the bonus track of Outkast's "The Way You Move" featuring Kenny G's saxophone works even better than you would expect. Music fans are blessed to have Earth, Wind and Fire still with us after 35 years.