"Touch the World" is the fourteenth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in November 1987 by Columbia Records. The album was a commercial success, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and No. 33 on the Top Pop Albums chart. It was certified Gold in the United States by the RIAA.
Produced by the band's leader Maurice White, Touch the World marked the end of a four-year hiatus for Earth, Wind & Fire. Maurice White reformed the group with longtime members Verdine White, Philip Bailey, Andrew Woolfolk, and Ralph Johnson. This album also saw the debut of former Commodores guitarist Sheldon Reynolds and the addition of drummer Sonny Emory to the lineup.
The album featured contributions from a number of notable musicians, including George Duke, Marc Russo, Ricky Lawson of Yellowjackets, Jeff Porcaro of Toto, and gospel artists Edwin Hawkins, Walter Hawkins, and Lynette Hawkins Stephens, with The Hawkins Family.
In terms of singles, Touch the World produced the hit "System of Survival," written by the mysterious composer Skylark. This track became a major success, reaching number one on both the Billboard Hot R&B Songs and Dance Club Songs charts, and was nominated for a Soul Train Award for Best R&B/Soul Single – Group, Band, or Duo. Another standout single, "Thinking of You," also performed well, topping the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and reaching No. 3 on the Hot R&B Songs chart.
