As with all good music, Kool and the Gang's best music came when it was inspired and informed by their soul, their talent and their wisdom.(Light of Worlds, Summer Madness, Hollywood Swinging) We all know who and what they were singing for with that Joanna and Ladies Night. nonsense
Their whole artistic integrity went out the window not w Ladies Night, but w Open Sesame; however, to paraphrase a previous post, 'the dudes gotta eat.'
@frictionalshake Rick West left the group sometime in the late 70's and cut a solo LP. Sadly, he passed away from cancer sometime in the late 1980s. I always thought the band was never the same after he left.....
This is the greatest album of all times. When I was 7 years old my uncle gave me this great Album and I still have it to this day. I'm 44 now and still love this Album.
I was very influenced by this album in 74. a very spiritual piece. I will never forget as long as i live the Influence the Nation of Islam had and to a large extent still has in my community. I wish black music would take a step back to this period because this was a step forward.
YUK!! Deodato changed their whole style starting with "ladies night". For some, it was the bomb, for others like me, it was sellout. I know musicians have to eat, so I have to look at it with some reality.
I did`nt care much for the R&B songs , but like you said they did have 2 eat. I guess thats just progresss. I just wished their music had`nt progessed into that POP SHIT!!!!
They had 2 eat. Its a shame that when they incorporated a more R&B sound their whole style of music changed. For true fans of the original Kool and The Gang it was like they sold out for a more broader audience ie. White Folks. Because its like everyrace knows about " Celebrate " and " Joanna". But they never heard of any songs on the pre 80`s albums. Not 2 my knowledge anyway. If i`m wrong correct me.
An innovative piece from Kool and The Gang pre sale out period. Nation of Islam influence clean spiritual jazzy funk. One of my all time personal favorites. Whiting H&G,You Don't Have To Change,Fruitman,the much sampled Summer Madness. I listen to this album at least once a month.
Great Comment, Mislokai.This is one of the alltime best albums period! It's message of peace, love and harmony for fellow man set to a jazz/funk venue was indeed creative. No doubt the influence of Islam permeates the entire lp. A Stone Cold Classic!
1973's Wild and Peaceful broke into the mainstream with "Jungle Boogie" and "Hollywood Swinging".1973's Wild and Peaceful broke in.1975 album The Spirit of the Boogie as the greatest achievement of the band.
1979's Ladies' Night, Their only #1 hit was 1980"Celebration", in the early 1980s, including "Big Fun", "Get Down on It" and "Joanna". Their 1984 album Emergency yielded four top 20 hits, including "Fresh" and "Cherish." Their chart presence stopped abruptly after the Fovever album
It's funny. You cite all of K&G songs after 1979, their so called successful period. I say, so what? The essence of K&G and that great period of musiicianship was before 1979and Deodato and JT with the total sellout sound. Well, I guess they had to eat too. For me, Ronald Bell as the musical director was the key to their sound prior to "Ladies Night".
I agree The Spirit of the Boogie as the greatest achievement of the band. Gang's 1974 album Light of Worlds and 1975 album Spirit of the Boogie as the greatest achievements of the band, However, Generally, the albums released after 1975 have not received the same critical acclaim as their early work
.1972 Music Is the Message - - 1973 Wild and Peaceful 33 -
sorry, i just saw your post. i agree with you, i like "Light Of Worlds" best beuse my parents play it when i was a child and it reminds me of riding my 'Big Wheel' in the basement of our newly constructed house. I love to "Spirit", wanted to buy it as a child, just couldn't afford it.
We're not old. We're "seasoned" and was blessed to make it this far. At least for me, I figured out what I don't want to do and that is enough for me.
This was fav track off this LP, always reminded me of the film 'Barnarella' for some strange reason. I'm a 50 year old now but still works for me. I understand why Kool went comercial in the '80s and hated the crap but early stuff like 'live at PJ's' was brillant. Kool & gang & the Ohio Players were the stuff that kept me going in the mid 70's. Thanks for sharing this.....
We are about the same age so you can relate when I say this entire album was just too hip. I seem to remember brothers groovin'to this who was trying to take on positivity during a time when gang warring and identity with corners were everywhere. This was indeed a classic and neccessary cut for the times.
This cut is my absolute favorite off this LP. Their use of children and the oboe giving it an middle east flavor does it for me. I too have many memories of this cut as a younger person. It helped many brothers turn to Islam and away from gang banging back in the early seventies.
As with all good music, Kool and the Gang's best music came when it was inspired and informed by their soul, their talent and their wisdom.(Light of Worlds, Summer Madness, Hollywood Swinging) We all know who and what they were singing for with that Joanna and Ladies Night. nonsense
alsdyall 3 months ago
@alsdyall , I agree 1000%!!!!!!!
nubonyx 2 months ago in playlist WKDU Joints
Their whole artistic integrity went out the window not w Ladies Night, but w Open Sesame; however, to paraphrase a previous post, 'the dudes gotta eat.'
tmat1973 4 months ago
WKDU FM PHILLY CLASSIC!!!!!!!!
MrRayjamz 8 months ago
kool and tthe gang are one of the best jazz funk bands ever. and what became of rick west?
frictionalshake 9 months ago
@frictionalshake Rick West left the group sometime in the late 70's and cut a solo LP. Sadly, he passed away from cancer sometime in the late 1980s. I always thought the band was never the same after he left.....
groundhog713 4 months ago
Simply beautiful.
MoNicholasLaird 1 year ago
My two favorite tunes on this album were "Street Corner Symphony" for the
sax solo, and "summer madness" for the mood. But for some reason
this was the one I like to listen to
most when stoned, especially the
part beginning with the key change
at 2:26. Ah, the 70's!
Roboviewer 1 year ago
This is the greatest album of all times. When I was 7 years old my uncle gave me this great Album and I still have it to this day. I'm 44 now and still love this Album.
mrpower328 1 year ago
Pure Love that's all I am saying
LEGSUDESIRE 1 year ago
Use to listen to this over & over as a kid. Very raw recording with the vocals that came out perfect.
October33rd 1 year ago
Takes me right back to being 15. My favorite album as a teen. Lost to me for 35 years. Thanks for uploading.
bluezappy 1 year ago
I will always luv this album. their best work IMO.
ju12ver 1 year ago
Next 2 Live At The Sex Machine this is one of my favorite K & T G lp's
too smooth
djdredwhitehead 1 year ago
I was very influenced by this album in 74. a very spiritual piece. I will never forget as long as i live the Influence the Nation of Islam had and to a large extent still has in my community. I wish black music would take a step back to this period because this was a step forward.
leecool1956 1 year ago
Right on, brotha!! That's what I'm talkin' about!! You're puttin' radio to shame!! Keep doin' what you're doin'!!
m7a7b725 1 year ago
This is Kool & the Gang's musical contribution during their sojourn within the Nation of Islam.
9 songs - all classics. By far their most spiritual work to date.
blqceaser 2 years ago
This by far is one of kool & the gang best lps.
agrgr 2 years ago 5
In the groove
And it'll make U move
Make U think
the Funk'll make u stink
Mental iz to physical as 4 iz to one
Spiritual iz to mental as infinity iz to one
garyn1953 2 years ago
But the pop stuff is pretty good. Joanna, Too hot, etc. Those are great songs.
spideymayne 2 years ago
This album was Grammy-nominated but didn't win; which shows just how bogus the Grammys can be. This is a masterpiece!!!
ksun 3 years ago 7
HOW ABOUT WHEN THEY WHEN 'SUGAR POP '' ie joanana. ladies night ...you know these guys where and still are muslins peace
andrejacksun 3 years ago
YUK!! Deodato changed their whole style starting with "ladies night". For some, it was the bomb, for others like me, it was sellout. I know musicians have to eat, so I have to look at it with some reality.
LamontCJ 3 years ago 2
I did`nt care much for the R&B songs , but like you said they did have 2 eat. I guess thats just progresss. I just wished their music had`nt progessed into that POP SHIT!!!!
Boopey61 2 years ago
They had 2 eat. Its a shame that when they incorporated a more R&B sound their whole style of music changed. For true fans of the original Kool and The Gang it was like they sold out for a more broader audience ie. White Folks. Because its like everyrace knows about " Celebrate " and " Joanna". But they never heard of any songs on the pre 80`s albums. Not 2 my knowledge anyway. If i`m wrong correct me.
Boopey61 2 years ago
for me this is their best work. such a shame then as now the song most talked about and remembered was Summer Madness.
I loved this track then and am so happy to see it remembered now.
ju12ver 3 years ago 3
An innovative piece from Kool and The Gang pre sale out period. Nation of Islam influence clean spiritual jazzy funk. One of my all time personal favorites. Whiting H&G,You Don't Have To Change,Fruitman,the much sampled Summer Madness. I listen to this album at least once a month.
mislokai 3 years ago 3
Great Comment, Mislokai.This is one of the alltime best albums period! It's message of peace, love and harmony for fellow man set to a jazz/funk venue was indeed creative. No doubt the influence of Islam permeates the entire lp. A Stone Cold Classic!
LamontCJ 3 years ago
I had this on cassette. I also listened 2 this everyday until the cassette broke. I was pissed. This is a Classic Album by some innovative brothers
Boopey61 2 years ago
1973's Wild and Peaceful broke into the mainstream with "Jungle Boogie" and "Hollywood Swinging".1973's Wild and Peaceful broke in.1975 album The Spirit of the Boogie as the greatest achievement of the band.
1979's Ladies' Night, Their only #1 hit was 1980"Celebration", in the early 1980s, including "Big Fun", "Get Down on It" and "Joanna". Their 1984 album Emergency yielded four top 20 hits, including "Fresh" and "Cherish." Their chart presence stopped abruptly after the Fovever album
loosestudios 3 years ago 2
It's funny. You cite all of K&G songs after 1979, their so called successful period. I say, so what? The essence of K&G and that great period of musiicianship was before 1979and Deodato and JT with the total sellout sound. Well, I guess they had to eat too. For me, Ronald Bell as the musical director was the key to their sound prior to "Ladies Night".
LamontCJ 3 years ago 5
I agree. K&G was much better before their so called successful period. This is real music. Thanks for posting this song.
lamarjlp914 3 years ago
I agree The Spirit of the Boogie as the greatest achievement of the band. Gang's 1974 album Light of Worlds and 1975 album Spirit of the Boogie as the greatest achievements of the band, However, Generally, the albums released after 1975 have not received the same critical acclaim as their early work
.1972 Music Is the Message - - 1973 Wild and Peaceful 33 -
1974 Light of Worlds 63 -
1975 Spirit of the Boogie
1976 Love & Understanding
1976 Open Sesame
loosestudios 2 years ago
sorry, i just saw your post. i agree with you, i like "Light Of Worlds" best beuse my parents play it when i was a child and it reminds me of riding my 'Big Wheel' in the basement of our newly constructed house. I love to "Spirit", wanted to buy it as a child, just couldn't afford it.
glasscitadel12 2 years ago
@LamontCJ I'm with you. Their LP's before 1979 were smokin'. Used to go to house paries and hear their music. early 70's
sp4armyguy 1 year ago
@LamontCJ I agree totally...Nothing better after Summer Madness for me...Everything up to that and I mean it!
LEGSUDESIRE 1 year ago
@LamontCJ sure u rite lamont
butchglenn433 5 months ago
yeah this one takes me back....me and my best friend donald used to play this album every day...wow we are old ...lol
Herb1219 4 years ago
We're not old. We're "seasoned" and was blessed to make it this far. At least for me, I figured out what I don't want to do and that is enough for me.
LamontCJ 4 years ago
This was fav track off this LP, always reminded me of the film 'Barnarella' for some strange reason. I'm a 50 year old now but still works for me. I understand why Kool went comercial in the '80s and hated the crap but early stuff like 'live at PJ's' was brillant. Kool & gang & the Ohio Players were the stuff that kept me going in the mid 70's. Thanks for sharing this.....
yrekcivevad 4 years ago
We are about the same age so you can relate when I say this entire album was just too hip. I seem to remember brothers groovin'to this who was trying to take on positivity during a time when gang warring and identity with corners were everywhere. This was indeed a classic and neccessary cut for the times.
LamontCJ 4 years ago
This song defined the true essence of Kool and the Gang.....the message contained within the lyrics..is truly universal....excellent post.......
SkipKnight88 4 years ago
I see you actually get it! This music had a message that was positive.
LamontCJ 4 years ago
I'm seeing and feeling all of that, everything that you've described.
bellydancer1970 4 years ago
Then you see that K&G is the BOMB! LOL!
LamontCJ 4 years ago
Thanks, i was hoping you'd post more of this lp. God, i was in third grade and i remember my parents playing it and i was riding my big wheel.
bellydancer1970 4 years ago
This cut is my absolute favorite off this LP. Their use of children and the oboe giving it an middle east flavor does it for me. I too have many memories of this cut as a younger person. It helped many brothers turn to Islam and away from gang banging back in the early seventies.
LamontCJ 4 years ago