The album opens with “Sweet Surrender,” in which Maurice White sings, “Everybody wants to find one true love/But it doesn’t come that easy.” His voice immediately offers comfort to those folks, and then he turns to that one true love. While it is a modern number, there are still some of those classic 1970s aspects you’d hope to hear. “Our first kiss was sweet surrender.” Oh yes, isn’t life great when that happens? This one was written by Preston Glass, Brian Culbertson, Stephen Lu and Maurice White. Things then get down and funky with “Panic Button,” a very cool number that reminds me a bit of some of Prince’s work at times. It’s a catchy number, one of my personal favorites. “Looking for excitement/Always trying to fight the foe/You know/You’re always chasing rainbows/Always disenchanted/Even though you know you had it made/In the shade.” I dig that backing vocal work by Marva King.
A prominent beat is established at the start of “Storybook Love.” The song’s main line, “Everybody wants a storybook love,” is a companion to the first line of “Sweet Surrender.” This is a sweet pop number, the music feeling like it would fit well in a movie about a storybook love, particularly one from the 1980s. “Happy endings, what we’re all dreaming of.” That’s followed by “Laid Back Aphrodisiac.” The vocal work at the beginning of this one makes the track immediately enjoyable, even before Maurice starts to deliver the lyrics. And speaking of storybook love, here he sings of a “magic carpet ride.” There is a laid back vibe, particularly to the delivery of the title line. “Would you mind if I take you to heaven/Riding on the wings of my love.” Ah, he’s so smooth. Phil Gates plays guitar on this track.
“I Couldn’t Be Me Without You” is a dance number with a decent dose of funk injected into it. “My father sat me down, said listen my son/You will find your destiny and know that she’s the one/In my darkest hour, his voice comes back to me/Searching for my baby in every girl I see/Couldn’t be me without you.” He sings of dreams coming alive, and that’s what this music seems to be about. And fantasy becoming real, which the songs themselves seem capable of effecting. It’s all about love, love, love. “I’m crazy, crazy, crazy about your love.” Then “Breakin’ In A Brand New Heart (Interlude)” is a short track that fades out just as it is getting going. The title might remind you of some Earth, Wine & Fire tracks, such as “In The Marketplace (Interlude),” a song from All ‘N All, and “Interlude: Body Wrap” from Heritage.
In “True Love Is Forever,” Maurice sings about being hurt in the past, but being hopeful about his current love. He offers a smooth delivery as he sings of a love that gets better with each passing day. Now that is true love indeed. That’s followed by “Wiggle (Long Version),”a catchy instrumental number with some wonderful percussion. This is a piece that was included on the 2003 Earth, Wind & Fire album The Promise. The title indicates “Long Version,” and indeed its two and half minutes greatly exceeds the thirty-nine seconds on that Earth, Wind & Fire disc. This track is totally delicious. Then “To The Top” has a strong beat. And I dig that bass line. “I’m so thankful just to have your love/You take me to the top.” This one was co-written by Alan Glass, who plays several instruments on this track, including that bass.
Elaine Gibbs joins Maurice White on vocals on for “Young Hearts.” There is something of a 1980s pop feel to this one. Carl Burnette is on guitar, and Craig Thomas plays saxophone on this track. A decade before the original release of Manifestation, “Young Hearts” was included on a compilation titled Songs 4 Worship: Soul. This song was written by Maurice White, Preston Glass and Steve Birch. It’s followed by “You’re Supposed To Say You Love Me.” In this song, something is amiss in the relationship, as he sings, “Baby, when you call my name/I swear it doesn’t sound the same/When I say that I love you/You’re supposed to say you love me too.” The original album concluded with “Before The Day You Were Born,” which has a rather positive vibe and smooth sound. It reflects on past struggles for freedom and equality, and has an optimistic bent about the future. “Tomorrow you’ll be blessed with even brighter days.”
Bonus Tracks
This disc contains six bonus tracks, all of which were previously unreleased. The first, “Keep Your Faith In Love,” has a funky element. I especially like that bass work. “Hate and greed are taught right from the womb.” He then reminds us to “Keep the faith, keep the faith every day.” How was this track left off the original release of this album? It is excellent and features a great vocal performance. Just listen to the way he delivers the line “So many people walking, walking, walking in their sleep.” And by the end, when the title line is repeated, it’s easy to imagine a crowd on the dance floor. This one was written by Preston Glass, Brian Culbertson, Stephen Lu and Maurice White. Then “Can’t Fight This Feelin’” is an enjoyable pop number. “Love can knock a man to his knees/Giving up and giving in/Sweet surrender/Your every wish is my command/I will volunteer my heart forever/This is not a one night stand.” Yes, this song returns to the phrase of the album’s opening track. That’s followed by “Crazy ‘Bout.” This is a love song, “Crazy ‘bout, crazy ‘bout, crazy ‘bout your love” being the full title line. “Just don’t ever doubt/My heart can’t live without/Your love.”
“Rekindle The Flame” grabs me right from the start. I love the instrumental section that begins this track. There is a somewhat different vibe from the other songs, and that opening section has its own peculiar beauty. “That there is no future without love today/Oh, it’s an ever uphill climb/Now it’s inventory time/Got to turn it all around before it is too late.” This, for me, is another of the disc’s highlights, and it’s crazy that it was not included originally. This song is “calling out to everyone” with its positive, hopeful message. Some of the lyrics toward the end are delivered sort of as a rap. “Rekindle The Flame” is followed by “Spiritual High,” an interesting number, a breath being an important element right from its start. “Sooner or later, we all face our fears/The message is crystal clear.” It’s a surprisingly short song. I wish it went on a bit longer. The disc concludes with “Sincerely,” a song about missing a love, feeling incomplete without that special someone. It’s a sweet and kind of catchy number. “Girl, it won’t be long/‘Til you’re in my arms/Wishing you were here/Sincerely/I want you near me.”
CD Track List
- Sweet Surrender
- Panic Button
- Storybook Love
- Laid Back Aphrodisiac
- I Couldn’t Be Me Without You
- Breakin’ In A Brand New Heart (Interlude)
- True Love Is Forever
- Wiggle (Long Version)
- To The Top
- Young Hearts
- You’re Supposed To Say You Love Me
- Before The Day You Were Born
- Keep Your Faith In Love
- Can’t Fight This Feelin’
- Crazy ‘Bout
- Rekindle The Flame
- Spiritual High
- Sincerely
This expanded edition of Manifestation was released on May 3, 2024 through Omnivore Recordings.
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