Electric Universe (album)
Electric Universe is the thirteenth studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire, released on November 14, 1983, by Columbia Records. Recorded in 1983 at The Complex in Los Angeles, the album blends new wave, synth-pop, R&B and funk and lasts 37 minutes and 40 seconds. Maurice White produced it for Kalimba Productions, with Wayne Vaughn as co-producer on tracks 3 and 6. The band’s sound on this record leaned more toward electronic textures and pop rhythms.
The album features guest contributions from David Foster, Martin Page, Michel Colombier, Pamela Hutchinson and Wanda Vaughn of The Emotions. It was followed by Powerlight and precedes The Collection. A 2015 reissue added six bonus tracks and two demos. Electric Universe also appeared in a 2016 episode of Rhythm Roulette.
Singles from the project include Magnetic (November 1983), Touch (January 1984) and Moonwalk (April 1984). The record reached No. 8 on the US Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and No. 40 on the Billboard 200, with international chart presence in Sweden (No. 17), the UK (No. 18 on the Blues & Soul Top British Soul Albums), Japan (No. 20), the Netherlands (No. 22) and Switzerland (No. 22). It sold over 100,000 copies in Japan.
Lead single Magnetic peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and No. 36 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart, while Touch reached No. 23 on the Hot R&B Singles chart and No. 36 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Critics were mixed but several praised the band’s engaging blend of vocals and evolving production.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 11:48 (CET).