With one harmless exception, the band avoids the sort of political sloganeering and vague spiritualism that made its lyrics so embarrassing in the past, and sticks to the proven themes of dancing and romancing. But what really makes the album so appealing are the juicy chorus melodies that the lead singers and their collaborators have come up with. These refrains are so catchy that you want to sing along, and they're so firmly anchored to the syncopated grooves that you'll want to dance along as well. Most of those beats are built atop programmed drum tracks, but live drummers add secondary patterns that give the arrangements the cross-rhythms this group was once famous for. On uptempo numbers such as "Keep It Real" and the title track, Maurice White's lead vocals engage the horns in a heady call-and-response dialogue. On the slower romantic ballads, such as "When Love Goes Wrong" and "Cruising," Bailey's impossibly high tenor sounds as if it's in a permanent swoon. If there were still a market for this sort of old-school funk, these songs would all become hits. --Geoffrey Himes

If you have ever experienced Earth Wind and Fire, please buy this album. You won't be disappointed, this is a true gem.


A Good Dose of EWF   March 13, 1999
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

This CD definitely merits a careful listening. A lot of the songs are of the slower variety. But I was particularly impressed by the upbeat track "Revolution", in which tribute is briefly paid to such wronged individuals as Mumia Abu-Jamal and Geronimo Pratt. The CD as a whole is very well done, but I wouldn't call it vintage EWF. Their earlier 1993 release "Millennium" is a better place to find a more funky, less R&B, sound.


Why was this CD "ever" Promoted?!!   October 7, 2005
Eric T. Peterson
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I brought this cd because I just happened to see it online and I thought I give it a play, being a HUGE Earth, Wind, & Fire fan! The CD is "Fantastic"! Even though it came out in '97 but still. The songs are gems. My favorites are: In the Name Of Love; Revolution; When Love Goes Wrong (Phillip never ceases to amazes me); Round and Round (Sheldon Renolds is a good vocalist in his own right) Keep it Real; Crusing; and Love is Life (Maurice sounds good on that track) Avatar should have been longer than 2:09 minutes. The Record Industry "SUCKS!!" They rely on "gemics" rather than true "Art!" That Cd is true art. Songs are beautifully written, strong positive messages, great arrangements with the famous EW&F Horns, and Great Production all the way around! This CD should have goten some airplay! If we have more music like this on the radio, I wouldn't be disgruntled as I am now. Good Music is being replaced by Gemic Garbage. I hope one day that will changed!


Age has not "dulled" the musical sensation known as EWF   October 16, 2000
Reginald D. Garrard (Camilla, GA USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Like reviewer Mistermaxx said earlier, it is puzzling why this album did not take off. Earth, Wind, & Fire's brilliance has never been better on this 11-song set.

The strongest cuts are the rocking "Revolution," the poetic "When Love Goes Wrong," the sultry "Fill You Up," the seductive "Round and Round," the dreamy "Cruising" and "Love is Life" which harkens back to EWF's heyday.

With the abundance of "boy bands" populating the airwaves, it is refreshing to hear some real sounds from a mature group.


A Solid Followup To 1993's 'Millenium   September 16, 2006
chakasworld (Atlanta, GA United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

After EWF satisfied their Japanese fanbase with 'Avatar' (1996), they altered that CD's original tracklisting, and included 'When Love Goes Wrong' on the American edition of 'Avatar' titled 'In The Name Of Love' (1997).

With 'In The Name Of Love', EWF released a solid followup (or continuation!) to 1993's vastly underrated 'Millenium'. This 11 track CD sounds contemporary and retro at the same time, featuring productions utilizing full horn sections on ballads ('Cruising'), and guest raps that complemented the vocals on 'Revolution (Just Evolution)'. For the most part, Maurice White's production is VERY good, up to his 70's tricks of using link tracks and interludes to shift moods, and dropping in loud electric guitar when you least expect it (the heavy funk 'Rock It'). 'When Love Goes Wrong' sounds like it was originally slated to be on Philip Bailey's solo CD, but it found a home on this project because 3 solid tracks from 'Avatar' ('Change Your Mind', 'Take You To Heaven', and 'Bahia') weren't included (for some $$$ reasoning..Hmmm!!).

The music on both 'Avatar' & 'In The Name Of Love' is mostly catchy but never monumental like the EWF's classic era from the 1970's, but the group displays their sense of fun, and for a moment, they reverted to their past attempts to sound hip & street (the opening track 'Keep It Real' for example). Still, even with that song, EWF is to be commended for the solid tracks & great musicianship. [NOTE - In 2006, Kalimba Records plans to reissue 'In The Name Of Love', with the 3 tracks that were once exclusive to 'Avatar'!!]
Enjoy
SD
(fr.'Chaka's World')