Kalimba Story

"Kalimba Story" is a song by R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire released as a single in 1974 on Columbia Records.^[2]

"Kalimba Story"
Japan release picture sleeve
Single by Earth, Wind & Fire
from the album Open Our Eyes
B-side	"Tee Nine Chee Bit"
Released	July 1974[1]
Recorded	1973
Genre	Funk, R&B
Length	4:03 (album version) 2:58 (single version)
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Maurice White, Verdine White
Producer(s)	Joe Wissert, Maurice White
Earth, Wind & Fire singles chronology
"Mighty Mighty" (1974) "Kalimba Story" (1974) "Devotion" (1974)

Overview

Kalimba Story was produced by Maurice White and Joe Wissert and composed by Maurice and Verdine White. The song also came off EWF's 1974 album Open Our Eyes^[2]

Critical reception

Record World said that "What Stevie Wonder has done for the clavinet, this group does for the African thumb piano, the 'kalimba.'"^[3]

Alex Henderson of Allmusic called "Kalimba Story" a "treasure".^[4]

Chart performance

The single reached number six on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart,^[5] and number fifty-five on the Hot 100.^[6] In Canada the song reached number 63.^[7]

Samples

"Kalimba Story" was sampled by hip hop duo Gang Starr on their 1990 track Jazz Thing (Movie Mix).^[8]