(January 18, 2017) Nathan East recorded his cover of “Serpentine Fire” in 1991, and it remained hidden and unheard in Patti Austin’s basement – of all places – for more than a quarter century. However, the remake’s recovery and working for the release of East’s upcoming album of originals and covered titled Reverence seems about right. The album, which also includes a cover of “Love’s Holiday,” with Philip Bailey singing lead, is due to drop on Jan. 20 – or nearly a year to the day of the passing of legendary Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White. The title of the album reflects the seriousness that East put into this project, and he went deep into his hard copy and digital Rolodex amassed after making more than 2,000 recordings with the likes of Phil Collins, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, along with his work over the last 27 years with the band Foreplay.
(January 18, 2017) Nathan East recorded his cover of “Serpentine Fire” in 1991, and it remained hidden and unheard in Patti Austin’s basement – of all places – for more than a quarter century. However, the remake’s recovery and working for the release of East’s upcoming album of originals and covered titled Reverence seems about right. The album, which also includes a cover of “Love’s Holiday,” with Philip Bailey singing lead, is due to drop on Jan. 20 – or nearly a year to the day of the passing of legendary Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White. The title of the album reflects the seriousness that East put into this project, and he went deep into his hard copy and digital Rolodex amassed after making more than 2,000 recordings with the likes of Phil Collins, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, along with his work over the last 27 years with the band Foreplay.
East recruited the likes of Collins, Eric Clapton and Yolanda Adams. Clapton and Collins to perform on Reverence. Collins and Clapton were a part of the creating the 1991 cover of “Serpentine Fire,” and Bailey, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson joined the production by adding vocals along with additional bass and production. This project must was a reunion for East, Bailey and Collins who co-wrote the 1985 hit “Easy Lover,” the duet featured on Bailey’s album Chinese Wall. This version “Serpentine Fire” grooves at a slower pace than the original but listeners can feel the spirit of the elements coursing through this number. Check it out.
Nathan East – “Serpentine Fire”