The problem with most tribute albums is that the collected artists are trying to reinterpret or even improve what were often already perfect works. I mean, if the artist being celebrated wasn't phenomenal, why would anyone bother with a tribute, right? And so there lies the problem with Interpretations, a collection of modern artists covering Earth, Wind & Fire. Most of the approaches to this collection lie in either leaving the original arrangement intact save for modern instrumentation and the vocalists' own flavor in executing the song OR watering down the songs so much, it becomes barely recognizable, and in some cases, crap.
Chaka Khan's take on "Shining Star" falls in both categories and in spite of her vocal gymnastics is sanitizingly dull. Less obnoxious but equally as boring is Angie Stone's sleepy walk through "Be ever wonderful," which, to be fair, is what the songstress is best at even with her own material. By far the worst performance is executed by Me'Shell NdegeOcello who tries to make "Fantasy" into a political statement about climate control or Iraq or love or who knows what, and as usual makes absolutely no sense. Fittingly the music meanders with wailing guitars and chaotic drumming, which will discourage most ears from hanging in there to try to figure out what Ms. NdegeOcello is trying to say.
But there are some gems on Interpretations. Firstly, Kirk Franklin's funky gospel choir approach to "September." Franklin and company actually sample Earth, Wind, & Fire's original recording to use as its base to their remake, but it seems to make total sense. The icing is God's People's tight, rich layered vocals fattening up the celebratory nature to one of the greatest songs recorded in the 70's. Mint Condition nail the beauty and slow jam nature of "After the love is gone," as does the neo-soul renderings of Musiq Soulchild and Dwele on "Reasons" and "That's the way of the world," respectively. All three artists bring the classic songs up to modern underground R&B terms without losing the soul, which seems to happen to the aforementioned tracks included in this collection.
In the end I'm sure this release was intended to introduce a younger generation to the 1970s super group, but I'm guessing that folks that are buying this CD because of Angie Stone or Lalah Hathaway's presence probably already know their music history and its massive debt owed to Earth, Wind & Fire.
