Just when you thought it was safe to wear polyester again…
If you’ve never heard of Kool and the Gang, and songs like “Ladies Night”, “Get Down On It” “Celebration” or “Jungle Boogie”, you either are 1) under 20 2) have never been to a wedding or 3) hid under a rock during the 70s and 80s.
Yes, Robert “Kool” Bell is back with his bass lines with a team of vocalists Balawa Muhammad-Keith Murray, Dennis Thomes/as, Ronald Bell/key, Amir Bayyan-Royal Bayyan-Makr Bowers/g and a rotating team of “gang” members. The horns and grooves have a vintage Earth Wind and Fire feel, as on the upbeat “Leave It On The Dance Floor” and soulful “Hold On”. An Isley Brothers mood takes place on “Good Time”, and don’t expect lyrics akin to Stevie Wonder or George Gershwin, as the mod is to shake it, get up, get together and get down as on “ Pursuit of Happiness” (with the team going a bit rappy) and “ROYALTY”. The disco ball is glowing on this one. Who’s got the Afro Sheen?!?