The enduring EWF sound

First, this backgrounder culled from the Internet:

Earth, Wind & Fire is an African American R&B band formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1969 and led by founder Maurice White. Also known as EWF, the Elements or the Elements of the Universe, the band has won 10 Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards. They have been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. Having sold over 90 million albums worldwide has earned them a place on the list of best-selling music artists, ranked as the seventh best-selling American band of all time. Rolling Stone has described them as “innovative, precise yet sensual, calculated yet galvanizing” and has also declared that the band “changed the sound of black pop”.

The band’s music contains elements of African, Latin American, funk, soul, pop and rock music, jazz and other genres, as well.

Billed as The Original Earth, Wind & Fire, the band is having a concert at the PICC Reception Hall on Dec. 5.

Listed as EWF members are Maurice White, Philip Bailey, Ralph Johnson, John Paris, B. David Whitworth, Greg “G-Mo” Moore, Gary Bias, Bobby Burns Jr., Krystal Bailey, Kim Johnson, Reggie Young and Verdine White, the vocalist with whom Funfare had an exclusive phone interview.

Excerpts:

Why do you call yourselves The Original Earth, Wind & Fire?

“That’s what we are, The Original, and that’s what everybody calls us. Other people would call us The Fire for short. It’s a great name, isn’t it?”

You’ve been in Manila a few times, right?

“Oh, a couple of times. In December, it will be our third. I don’t remember when the last time was; it’s been a while. We are looking forward to going there next time.”

What can we expect from your concert in December?

“The show is gonna be great. The band sounds great. We’ve had a great year and we want to share it with our fans in the Philippines. We performed at the White House last February at the Governors’ Dinner which was the first formal dinner hosted by Pres. Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. We went out on tour this year with Chicago.”

(In June 2000, Earth, Wind & Fire also performed for another US president, Bill Clinton, at a White House dinner held in a tent on the South Lawn in honor of His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, and her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem. The King was so impressed that he personally requested the band to perform in Morocco for his 37th birthday celebration in August that same year.)

Any new members in the group? Do you consider as criterion the fact that they possess the EWF sound?

“None at all. No. We haven’t had new members in a long, long, long time, so we don’t even think about that.”

How do you retain the Earth, Wind & Fire sound through the years?

“Well, you know it’s a great sound and it hasn’t been difficult to maintain. It’s a sound that everybody knows across the whole world. We’ve been very fortunate that people still love the sound and, of course, we have a lot of people who are big fans of ours, including the President of the United States.”

From Manila, are you performing anywhere in Asia?

“Yes, we are going to Tokyo and Osaka in Japan, Kuala Lumpur...we are going all over Asia and it’s gonna be great.”

Filipino fans, like those in other parts of the world, would love to hear you perform your old, familiar songs. Can we expect that in your concert on Dec. 5?

“Yes, we will. The weather should be nice over there, right?”

It’s sunny today in Metro Manila but it’s cloudy in some parts of the country. There’s a new typhoon coming.

 “So okay. I hope the weather will be fine when we get there.”

Anyway, Verdine, what do you remember from your previous visits to Manila?

“Oh, it was beautiful, a really beautiful place. We hope to have a really good time there.”

By the way, haven’t you thought of including a Filipino song in your repertoire?

“I wish we did. Unfortunately, we don’t know any Filipino song. We’d love to meet some Filipino artists, though.”

And what do you consider the three most memorable EWF songs?

“Probably Shining Star...September...and After The Love Has Gone (composed by David Foster).”

Why those three?

“Well, because you’ve got to like them.” (Then he laughs)

(Note: For tickets to The Original Earth, Wind & Fire Live in Manila, call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or Ticketnet at 911-5555. Prices are P3,500 for Platinum, P2,500 for Gold, P1,200 for Silver and P600 for Bronze.)

The Sexy Chef opens kiosk at Kraft Foods, Philippines

For half a decade, The Sexy Chef, Manila’s sought-after healthy, fresh food delivery service has been the portal for hundreds of health and fitness-conscious folks to a trimmer body, heightened energy, and overall well-being. In October, The Sexy Chef proudly opened The Sexy Chef Kiosk, located at the cafeteria of  Kraft Foods, Philippines Canteen in Sucat, Parañaque.

“The Sexy Chef shares Kraft Foods’ long-standing commitment to support healthy lifestyles,” said Rachel Alejandro who co-owns and co-manages The Sexy Chef with sister Barni. During the well-attended opening, the slim and beautiful Rachel gave an insightful talk to employees and friends of Kraft Foods on The Sexy Chef’s idea of having a fit and healthy lifestyle through healthy eating.

One of the secrets to the company’s success is that, unlike other diets and home-delivery services, it caters as much to the palate of the dieter as it does the shedding of pounds.

“We love to eat healthy foods, but have often found that healthy diets are big on benefits, but short on taste. It was important for us to create a menu that was enjoyable to eat, and good for you,” said Rachel.

Ultimately, Barni, who concocts the mouth-watering and wholesome appetizers, entrees and desserts, succeeded in forming the perfect marriage of taste, texture, proper portions and sound substitutions; the vast array available now at The Sexy Chef Kiosk.

They offer an array of choices. If you choose to be on the popular South Beach Plan, you will wake up to a delicious Spinach & Bacon Frittata, or a fresh Vegetable Omelet. For lunch, feast on a mouthwatering Thai Beef Salad, or Osso Bucco, or perhaps Chicken Adobo or Chicken Terriyaki, or Chicken in White Wine, or a sizable bite of the Grilled Burger. Dinner could be anything from Grilled Shrimp and Lentil Curry, or Beef Tapa, or fresh and fabulous Fish Putanesca. Let’s not forget dessert: Almond Gelato, Banana Pudding, Chocolate Mousse; and for snacks, perhaps a healthy serving of cashew nuts, Chicken Dogs in Dip.

The Sexy Chef’s regular menu consists of filling Beef or Vegetable Burritos, fresh Crab and Mango Salad; favorite Pasta Bolognese; sandwiches ranging from Grilled Chicken Pesto, Fish Fillet or Cajun Chicken, to name a few. Prices range between P105 and P150.

(Note: For more information on The Sexy Chef, call their hotline at 911-SEXY [7399]; 911-8881; 440-7191; or 0917-799-2433. Or visit their website at www.thesexychefcafe.com)

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