KOOL & THE GANG — Kool & The Gang (review)

KOOL & THE GANG — Kool & The Gang album cover Album · 1969 · Funk Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
Sean Trane
Well most people will remember the disco era of the late 70’s when thinking of K&tG, but little do they know that the group started a decade earlier. Yes, it’s rather difficult to think of them as a 60’s almost pre-funk band and even more like as a brass-rock ala BS&T act. Their debut album was released in January 70, on a Dee-Lite label, produced by Gene Redd, who gets shared writing credits over half the tracks and it did get some success in the RnB charts, with some 5or 6 singles climbing their own sweet way onto the charts.

Ten relatively short mostly-instrumental tracks (max 5-mins) that are generally gentle and soulish with a slight funk touch like Give It Up (maybe my fave of the album) or the two version of Kool’s (or Gang’s) Back, with those vocals imbedded in the funky mix (not Floyd’s), but the overall sweetish production kind of drowns the band’s energy into over-powering soft arrangements. Sticking out from the lot is the instrumental Smoky Robinson reprise of Since I’ve Lost My Baby. The closing Let The Music is an excellent funky closer, but again the vocals and production issues are shoddy. Guess this album could need a solid remastering, in case it hasn’t yet received one. Not my cup of tea, but most everyone should at least get at least once an earful of the present album.
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