Alongside the singles, the album contained a previously unreleased song entitled "Turn on (The Beat Box)", which was released as a single and reached number 26 on the BillboardHot R&B Singles chart.[3]
Ron Wynn of Allmusic in a 4.5 out of five stars review wrote, "If you enjoyed their disco and late '70s cuts more than the early tracks, this anthology is worth getting".[4] Ben Varkentine of Popmatters noted "Earth, Wind & Fire Vol. II can't be reviewed so much as announced. If you want this CD, you know what at least some of it sounds like, if not, you don't."[5]David Browne of the New York Daily News exclaimed, "Not as solid as Vol. I, but separates the wheat from the chaff of their later albums. 'After the Love Is Gone' and 'Boogie Wonderland' are here, but last year's comeback, 'System of Survival', isn't.[8] With a 4 out of 5 star review Larry Nager of the Cincinnati Post claimed "Like most second-volume best-ofs the set is second best but with the sweet vocals of Philip Bailey the uncompromising groove of Maurice White and the EWF horns..second best is more than good enough."[9] With an A− grade, Robert Christgau of the Village Voice described the album as "some slick, soulful fun".[6]
[4]
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