I really liked RHCP.
I liked the other better when they were called Morris Day and the Time.
Got to give Bruno credit. He has the ability to span several different genres. He's got the old Earth Wind and Fire vibe moreso than Morris Day and the Time.
Morris was a one trick pony propped up by Prince. Liked Ice Cream Castles, but that was about the extent of his catalog.
EWF had a broader repertoire. They could funk it out, they could shift over to a rock blend, they could drop back for some soul, they could edge off into jazz, they could dial up a pop vibe and they could fire up a cooter melting ballad. EWF could even pull off a gospel sound from time to time.
Bruno Mars is more like that. Treasure is very EWF sounding to me. But his other stuff isn't like that. Some of his stuff I don't like. And that's not the norm. Usually if I like a band's sound, it's pretty consistent. His is all over the map.
EWF did it with the ensemble approach, but you know that band was powered by Phillip Bailey's voice (and Maurice's arrangement) for a good while.
I'd like Bruno's act just as well if it were more ensemble and he wasn't as much out front.