Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind and Fire is a tribute album to the R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire produced by Maurice White and released in March 2007 on Stax Records. The album reached No. 28 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Overview The album was executively produced by Maurice White and was the first to be released on the revived Stax Records label.
Critical reception Mike Joseph of PopMatters gave an 8 out of 10 score, scribing "The fact that Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire is as solid as it is proves that there are exceptions to every rule. On this compact, efficient compilation (which also serves as the relaunch of the legendary soul label Stax), the most successful soul band of the ’70s is given their due by an impressive collection of today’s top R&B musicians (and one of their formidable peers)." Jason Christopher Monger of AllMusic gave 3 out of 5 stars exclaiming "Released on Stax, this better than average tribute album works pretty well". Jonathan Takiff of the Philadelphia Inquirer gave an A−, noting Interpretations "loads up the icons' slow burns and brassy midtempo grooves with some sharp turns." Sonia Murray of the Atlanta Journal Constitution also gave an A−, calling the album "one of the best R&B releases this year."
As well Dwele's cover of "That's the Way of the World" and Meshell Ndegeocello's rendition of "Fantasy" were both Grammy nominated for Best Urban/Alternative Performance.
Singles Kirk Franklin's cover of "September" reached No. 17 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart and No. 26 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart.
Track listing
Accolades Year Publication Country Accolade Rank 2007 Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionU.S. Your 2007 Top CDs*
References