It’s hard to write about Earth, Wind and Fire without resorting to exorbitant praise and plaudits. Their musical arrangements are so tightly constructed, and their melodies so catchy and rhythmic, that it is almost impossible to stand still while listening to one of their albums.

The five albums that preceded “That’s the Way of the World” flew under my radar, so like a lot of other people, I missed some great music until 1975, when they blew wide open. The opening one-two punch of “Shining Star” segueing into “That’s the Way of the World” is one of the most powerful back-to-back hit songs to ever appear on an album, in any genre. Even fifty years later, it can still rise goosebumps from me. Sales are rarely an indicator of greatness, but this album lives up to its quintuple-platinum status and then some.

Yes, the first two tracks are the best thing here (or anywhere else, for that matter), but the strengths of the album don’t concede at all. From this point forward, Earth, Wind and Fire would represent a cornerstone for seventies-era popular music, and somewhat miraculously, it all still sounds fresh.

Tracks include:

Shining Star

That’s the Way of the World

Happy Feelin’

All About Love

Yearnin’ Learnin’

Reasons

Africano

See the Light

Bonus – Live Medley

March 1975 - Billboard Charted #1