According Billboard, the iconic group that is currently on tour through late September is planning to be ready for the studio in October. "We're writing," says frontman Phillip Bailey, "and we're gonna write with some of these writer-producer guys, and then make it happen."
The project which will be the group’s first since 2004's Illumination is set for release in mid-2009 featuring a CD of new material, a live CD and a concert DVD.
Following in the footsteps of groups such as the Eagles and Journey Earth, Wind and Fire is likely to release the new project exclusively through a major retailer such as Walmart or Target.
“(Management) has done this twice with (the Eagles and Journey, both via Wal-Mart) and they've expressed interest in doing this with Earth, Wind & Fire," Bailey says. "That's the new thing today, so we're taking a template out of that whole thing. We have a history and a catalog and everything, so you don't have to 'break' us. We're still viable. Now, they're able to make really good deals and make more money for (the acts), so it's a pretty good day for us old guys."
Earth, Wind & Fire is currently on their ‘Beyond the Elements’ Tour.
