Millennium (Earth, Wind & Fire album)

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.[1]

Artists such as Prince and Ronnie Laws appeared upon the LP.[1]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[4]
Vibe	(favourable)[5]
Cashbox	(favourable)[6]
Boston Globe	(favourable)[7]
Billboard	(favourable)[8]
Associated Press	(favourable)[9]
USA Today	[10]
Detroit Free Press	(favourable)[11]
The Independent	(favourable)[12]

Tom Sinclair of Vibe proclaimed that EWF "demonstrate they still have the knack for constructing mellifluous R&B on the visonary/romantic tip."[5] 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".[7] Billboard called Millennium a "sparkling record".[8] 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 (thumb piano), falsetto harmonies, Afro-Cuban influences, instrumental interludes and philosophical lyrics."[10] Cashbox called the album "a fine return".[6] 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."[13] 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."[12]

Millennium was nominated for a Soul Train Music Award within the category of Best R&B/Soul Album - Group, Band or Duo.[14]

The track, "Sunday Morning", earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.[15] 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.[16][17][18]

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.[19][20]

The Prince-penned track, "Superhero", was covered by the New Power Generation featuring the Steeles for the soundtrack to the film Blankman.[21][22]