Reply With QuoteOne BIG difference....EW&F wrote and produced a big proportion of their material, so I've really gotta give them the thumbs up in this head to head.
Double Platinum Record [Level 9]
I know some of you (Marky :D ) are looking and going what? The residue from all that 70's weed must have caught up to the old guy :lol:
Well, like many things if ya look past the superficial differences these guys had a lot in common. Both were big acts in the 70's whose fame flamed out by the early/mid '80s. Both had some success recording some "disco" classics but were R&B acts at the core.
The more thought I gave this, the more difficult my choice. I just got through playing Message In Our Music and as of right now, the O'Jays are my choice. :D
No Longer Charting
One BIG difference....EW&F wrote and produced a big proportion of their material, so I've really gotta give them the thumbs up in this head to head.
*** Forum Leader / Moderator ***
Difficult one, Paul!
But...I pick EWF, for the beautiful songs they composed (themselves like Quinny said), the unique blend of rhythms, horns and vocals and their superb liveshows. How I wish I could see them once on stage in their original line-up (with Maurice White who doesn't wants to tour anymore).
Gold Record [Level 7]
Yes, The O'jays were more of a vocal group - ewf were a band in the classic sense. I'm gonna pick Maurice and the boys too. The music just appeal to me more, and I love those jazzy interludes that used to be on the LP's
Platinum Record [Level 8]
Unfortunately, you can't compare these two artists at all. If you were to compare the OJays to The Dells, or Earth Wind & Fire to The Ohio Players or Kool & the Gang, you'd have a good debate. But in this case, it's Apples to Oranges.
The O'Jays were strictly a vocal group who didn't write or play on their LPs, whereas EWF did. I believe the O'Jays also had roots in Doo Wop, while EWF's roots were rooted in Jazz (Maurice White was Ramsey Lewis' drummer and also was the drummer on the first EWF LP).
Also, the OJays fizzled out during the late 70's after Message In The Music, while EWF continued to get more commercial success, well into the early 80's.
Disco Funk
Gold Record [Level 7]
agree you cant compare these two acts, but if we have to for me its THE OJAYS,i love EWF too i was lucky enough to see them in 75 and meet maurice, my favourite ewf track 'happy feelin' 8)Originally Written by Disco Funk
hey the ojays never fizzled out dont forget the 1983 smash put our heads together and have continued recording great records, theyre still going and touring, theyve been going since the late 50s thats almost 50 years, all their records still sound great,their pre philly int records are still sought after and still sound amazing, what a group 8)
Chart Hit [Level 6]
I have to say the O'jays.
P.S. To those who think they fizzled out in the 1970's, check out "Your body's here with me", "Loving you", and "Keep on loving me".
Gold Record [Level 7]
for me it's barely a contest.... as far as putting them up against each other... it's just a matter of who would rank higher on my alltime list. Earth, Wind & Fire would be ranked higher i'm afraid.
For me I based this on how many songs or songs i've played in the last 5 years. Well most of them would be EWF songs. They've got way too many.
MIGHTY, MIGHTY
DEVOTION (LIVE)
are top shelf for me. :)
Platinum Record [Level 8]
For me, it's the first EWF Lp. I think that LP was their best work. I'm not dismissing their later work, I'm just not a fan of their LPs from the late 70's. The first one is the only record of theirs I can listen from beginning to end, outside of those Greatest Hits records.
Disco Funk
Gold Record [Level 7]
For me, it's the first EWF Lp. I think that LP was their best work. I'm not dismissing their later work, I'm just not a fan of their LPs from the late 70's. The first one is the only record of theirs I can listen from beginning to end, outside of those Greatest Hits records.
Disco Funk
wasn't the song EVIL from the first LP?
my absolute favorite from beginning to end SPIRIT
it just had more good songs on that LP than any other... That's The Way Of The World a very close 2nd.
Test Pressing [Level 2]
EWF anyday
Just wish they had a bass control on the mixing desk. All ewf records are so tinny.
The Ojays ("Take That" type boy bands of the day perhaps)
I could never quite get into their stuff. Although the 80's track Put our heads together was good but that was mainly down to the D Train esque production.
Platinum Record [Level 8]
That track was from 'Head To The Sky', which was their fourth LP and had the band line-up that they pretty much took into their late 70's period. The band member line-up on the first two LPs is almost completely different. I think only the White brothers (Verdine and Maurice) were the ones who would be part of the later incarnation of the group.
Disco Funk
Chart Hit [Level 6]
EWF did sound a bit tinny because they wanted to accentuate the high end and mid-range of the Phoenix horns. They were the number two R&B group of the 1970's behind the O'jays.
Underground Hit [Level 5]
I am not fond of EWFs songs, no matter if they arrange or play their stuff themselves.
I don't have a single album by them, but have many 70's O'Jays albums and even one compilation from the 60's.
O"Jays musical arrangements were in the good hands Gamble & Huff and those wonderful Philly Soul studio musicians (MFSB).
Indie Release [Level 4]
Tell it like it is Disco Funk!
This is nothing but apples to oranges. One was/is a VOCAL GROUP and the other was/is a BAND. No Comparison.
Why is this a topic??
Double Platinum Record [Level 9]
Easy...don't get your panties in a bunch. :roll: Sorry it didn't meet your arbritrary standards but hey, no one forced you to respond. Have a Bud on me
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