Millennium (Earth, Wind & Fire album)
Millennium is the sixteenth studio album of the band Earth, Wind & Fire released in September 1993 on Warner Bros. Records. The album reached No. 8 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and No. 39 on the Billboard 200.
Overview
Millennium marked the band's return after 21 years to Warner Bros. Records. The album was also produced by EWF's founder and leader Maurice White.Artists such as Prince and Ronnie Laws appeared upon the LP.
Critical reception
Tom Sinclair of Vibe proclaimed that EWF "demonstrate they still have the knack for constructing mellifluous R&B on the visonary/romantic tip."Renee Graham of The Boston Globe noted that Millennium "returns the band to its funk/r&b roots" with a "tasty bit of Minneapolis funk". Billboard called Millennium a "sparkling record". With a three out of four star rating James T. Jones IV of USA Today found that the band "returned to their trademark sound: snappy horns, kalimba, falsetto harmonies, Afro-Cuban influences, instrumental interludes and philosophical lyrics." Cashbox called the album "a fine return". Gary Graff of the Detroit Free Press wrote "EWF returns to the joyous R&B that made it famous, landing smooth if not exactly landmark results." Andy Gill of The Independent stated "if it's an old-style R&B sensibility you're after, the new Earth, Wind & Fire album may be just the ticket."
The Buffalo News placed the album on its list of the best R&B/Hip-Hop albums of 1993.
Millennium was also nominated for a Soul Train Music Award within the category of Best R&B/Soul Album - Group, Band or Duo.
Singles
The track, "Sunday Morning", earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. Released as a single, it peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart, No. 20 on the Hot R&B Singles chart and No. 35 on the Adult Contemporary chart.The album cut, "Spend the Night" reached Nos. 36 and 42 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts, respectively.
Covers
The Prince-penned track, "Superhero", was covered by the New Power Generation featuring the Steeles for the soundtrack to the film Blankman.Track listing
Charts
| Year | Chart | Position |
| 1993 | U.S. Billboard 200 | 39 |
| 1993 | U.S. Billboard Top R&B Albums | 8 |
| 1993 | Japanese Albums | 18 |
| 1993 | Dutch Albums | 29 |
| 1993 | Sweden Albums | 50 |
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
| 1993 | "Spend the Night" | U.S. Billboard Adult R&B Airplay | 36 |
| 1993 | "Spend the Night" | U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Singles | 42 |
| 1993 | "Sunday Morning" | U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Singles | 20 |
| 1993 | "Sunday Morning" | U.S. Billboard Rhythmic Top 40 | 31 |
| 1993 | "Sunday Morning" | U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary Songs | 35 |
| 1993 | "Sunday Morning" | U.S. Billboard Adult R&B Songs | 10 |
| 1993 | "Sunday Morning" | Canada RPM Top Singles | 33 |
| 1993 | "Sunday Morning" | Dutch Singles | 26 |
| 1993 | "Sunday Morning" | U.S. Billboard Mainstream Top 40 | 34 |
| 1993 | "Sunday Morning" | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 53 |
| 1993 | Two Hearts | U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Singles | 88 |