Kool And The Gang - Spirit Of The Boogie (1975)

"Spirit Of The Boogie" is a masterpiece that blends an incredible funk sensibility and energy with reverence for the groups musical and ancestral heritage. In 1975, Kool And The Gang were the kings of funk, and this album was their crowning glory. Even James Brown was in awe, saying, "They're the second baddest out there. They make such bad records that you got to be careful when you play a new tape on the way home from the record store. Their groove is so strong you could wreck." The title track made it to #1 on the Black Singles chart, while "Carribean Festival" reached #6. Both songs also did well on the Pop Singles chart. Two album releases in 1976 ("Love & Understanding" and "Open Sesame") were commercially less successful, and marked the end of KATG's funk period, and the beginning or their transition to disco later in the decade.

Album info. from Discogs:

Spirit Of The Boogie

Kool And The Gang - Good TImes (1972)

As a kid, I loved the TV show "Good Times." The show was total Blaxploitation TV, giving a true commentary on ghetto life, without the guns, sex and hard attitudes (unless you count "Sweet Daddy" Williams, the pimp/numbers runner as "hard"... hardly!) The album "Good Times" had nothing to do with the TV show, but also gave an experience of the turbulent times making up the black (in this case musical) culture of the day, with a variety of contrasting styles and influences jammed into its two sides. "Country Junky" is as funky as things come - a hybrid of James Brown and Sly Stone. "North, East, South, West" is a straight ahead instrumental groover, with the funkiest of bass lines. "I Remember John W. Coltrane" is a hauntingly beautiful jazz tune. "Rated X" would have fit right into a soundtrack for a black "Rocky" movie. And finally, the closer, "Father, Father," could easily have been Marvin Gaye on one of his incredible, early 70's works. "Good Times" was never as commercially popular as a lot of other earlier K&TG works, but it's full of great jazzed out funk. Well worth a listen, if you can find a copy.

To Discogs for info:

Good Times

Available as part of 2-for-1 CD on Amazon:

(amazon.com) Ladies Night & Good Times

(amazon.ca) Ladies Night & Good Times

(amazon.co.uk) Ladies Night & Good Times

Kool And The Gang - Kool And The Gang (1969)

Kool And The Gang was formed by Robert Bell (alias "Kool") and 5 high school friends in 1964. Their original name was The Jazziacs, but they later changed their name, and signed with De-Lite Records in 1969. "Kool And The Gang," their debut album, was released that same year. The album was mildly successful, reaching at #43 on the Billboard R&B chart. Three singles from the album were also strong sellers, if not hits, with two reaching #19 on the R&B chart. Despite somewhat lacklustre sales, "Kool And The Gang" is now considered a funk classic by serious record collectors, and several songs from the album have been sampled heavily by Hip Hop producers.

Album info. from the usual place:

Kool And The Gang

CD available from Amazon Marketplace:

(amazon.com) Kool And The Gang

(amazon.ca) Kool And The Gang