Abraxas
With the great Mati Klarwein cover work, I knew I had to get this. Last Days & Time, Earth, Wind and Fire's third album (first for Columbia Records), was my first introduction to the band, without counting the well-known dance hits. This album made me realise that this band was more than just a popular disco band, they knew how to groove and rock in their own R&B-ish way.
Although the album is made of mostly R&B tunes full of light strings and smooth vocals, there’s the occasional jazzy and funk headed composition, like the superb instrumental, 'Power', demonstrating how good they are at their instruments and at making hot funk, featuring Maurice White on the marvellous, overlooked instrument, the kalimba. 'Time is on your Side' and 'Remember the Children' are also great funky songs full of clavinet and catchy guitar riffs.
As for the typical R&B songs, 'They Don't See' and 'I'd Rather Have You' are very entertaining and good at it, while the remaining songs, of course decent, I don't find anything particularly good/memorable in them.
Definitely not one of EW&F's best albums, but still an enjoyable one, with some noteworthy compositions, that shows their transition of pure funk of their first two albums to the more R&B of later albums.
Recommended, but if you're new to the band and want to hear something that makes them a worthy band, check the live album Gratitude where there’s the perfect sum-up of the band, their whole funk potential plus sweet poppy and dancing songs.