Kool and the Gang "Higher Plane"

[MultiScorpio2000]

I got all the pre Jungle Boogie stuff. Kool and the gang maybe the most versatile black band ever. All their different types of songs were top 5,hollywood swining, ungle boogie,joanna,take my heart,too hot, cherish,etc. They are a BAND they do it all. Who else could do it like them other than EWF, Kool dominated songs in the disco era,Celebrate,Tonight's the Night, Steppijng out,etc. They are the BEST. people need to go back and look at everything they'be done,nothing but success.That's music.

[rosss1959]

PURE FUNK !!!!!!!!!! man was I a Kool and the Gang fanatic back in the day. JUNGLE BOOGIE HOLLYWOOD SWINGING RHYME TIME PEOPLE (my personal favorite) OPEN SESAME FUNKY STUFF They just flat out had it going on!

[Brotherrhaan]

Kool and the Gang has not received the kudos they deserve for their contribution to the music world.

[9448tkc]

Kool may go down as the fimpliest bass player ever in the history of funk music. He can play in the pocket and can groove nicely but he is very simple. No way compared to the likes of Bootsy or Larry or Stanley. They will eat him alive and I am the original Kool and the Gang fan from way back to their first single, and instrumental called Kool and the Gang, 1969

[HWolfeIII]

@9448tkc I disagree about them eating him up alive. Kool can groove and stay in the pocket better than anybody I've ever heard with the exception of maybe Louis Johnson and that's debatable.

[9448tkc]

I'm the original Kool and the Gang fan but by no way is Kool's bass talent anywhere near Larry Graham's,Bootsy or Stanley Clarke's. Kool may go down as the simpliest bass player ever in the history or the R&B funk bands. I've never heard him do a bass solo except on the song Let the Music Take Your Mindm which came out some where between 69' and 71' He'f funky but I have to say he's very simple and can play in the groove and his timing is good but he's very simple.

[HWolfeIII]

@9448tkc Get the album Everybody's Dancin' You'll hear Kool hit some very funky licks that are not simple. By the way, even grooving can take alot of concentration and is not as easy as he makes it sound maybe that's why he is great.

[jody808]

aahh...this is my joint!! i love this song

[miteyc]

It's too bad the early years of K & G take a back seat to the post Deodato productions. Let's face it-crossin' over is what every label wishes its acts would do. Pickwick was no exception and although K & G could throw down with the best of the funk groups, they'll always be best remembered for Celebration, Joana, Fresh etc. Does anyone remember Funky Granny? Classic early R & B rivaling The Ohio Players Funky Worm. Let's keep remembering ya'll.

[Lar112]

@miteyc I totally agree. They are probably one the funkiest ever!!! Also check out the kaygees with there brother Kevin Bell. Very funky. Keep on bumpin is one of the tracks on here.

[miteyc]

@Lar112 You hit the nail on the head. I remember Higher Plane and The Kaygees album being released about the same time. I have the 45 single as well as the extended album version of Keep on Bumpin'. Man what a cut!! It's so good to realize people still appreciate the foundations laid down by so many talented artists from that era. Keep listenin'!

[Koolazzmike]

@miteyc I agree with you 100% and I grew up on their 80s hits. Their 70s jams were the bomb and one of my personal fav is "Who's Gonna Take the Weight?" They were raw then, but that was a funky cut with horns that was off the charts. Could none of their peers touch K&tG horns!

[88Cuatro]

for those of us who remain funky

[bluezappy]

Haven't heard this song since 1975!!!!!!!!

My record was warped in a suitcase on a trip across the world that summer. It was my favorite song. 35 years later I hear it again for the first time. THANKS for uploading!

BTW: If you need a better album jacket, I still have it and its in batter condition. Message me and I'll send it.

[btinsley1]

reminds me of when i was just a kid in grade school & hearing this on WBUL going to school....imagine that nowadays...

[rosss1959]

BlueBurryPimp....you got a brother ROLLIN bout wearin a condom to listen to today's music!!!!! But I definitely feel you though. This was some straight up FUNKY music. Loved me some Kool and the Gang. SPECIFICALLY the older version....Funky Stuff.... Spirit of the Boogie..... Open Sesame.....as opposed to the ...JOANNA..... CELEBRATIONS Kool and the Gang that came later.

[Koolazzmike]

I feel you man, I was raised up on Kool and Gang's 80s hits, but I have to tell you, their 70s cuts were the best! They didn't need a lead singer, they should have just kept doing what they did in the 70s, sales or not!

[56kanaka]

And yeah, those songs were just the tip of the iceberg, 70s Funk 4-ever!

[56kanaka]

These guys along with Parliament were the pioneers of 70s Funk, Oh yeah and the Ohio Players , Funky Worm, and the Commadores I Feel Sanctafied, Damn what a great time for Funk music!

[BlueBurryPimp]

This song is gangster.something you can get down too.unlike todays music where the main subject is sex and big bootys.literally have to wear a condom just to listen to todays music.

[soulserva60]

I am Jersey City,NJ Marion Gardens born,Ocean Ave,Fairview Ave,Claremont ave,Curries Woods family...Kool and the Gang are one of the many prides of J.C,NJ..Flip Wilson,The Manhattans,The Soul Generations,Tomorrows Edition,The Kay Gee's just to name a few....All Talent for the world to enjoy..Peace.

[actionjacksonful]

the greatest. saw them at their 1st uk gig at the rainbow finsbury. greg edwards intoduced them, hour and a half late coming on stage. well worth the wait.blew you away. shame they sold out with jt.

[charles8869]

ah yes i remember them doing a home commig show at livingstone university. here in north carolina before they went commercial/////// endangered species

[Boopey61]

My people from Jersey City , New Jersey.

[jkwill01]

man,back in the day!!!!!!

[hevyonez97]

this was a number 1 hit on the r&b charts when it was released as a 45 single.....and i do recall seeing them do this on soul train!

[owiz9212]

This isone of my four favorite Kool and the Gang songs, along with "Jungle Boogie", "Spirit of the Boogie" and of course, "Summer Madness".

Khalis Bayyan is one of the most prolific songwriters ever, and Kool's bass talent matches that of Larry Graham, Bootsy and even the great Stanley Clarke.

Why they aren't in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I'll never know.

[Deito25]

the video is on aol video. well it was on last month

[Boopey61]

They should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The original band pre Ladies Nights where innovators of Jazz and Soul fusion which has`nt been matched 2 this day. Kool and The Gang were way ahead of their time.

[owiz9212]

The Soul Train video of "Funky Stuff" is still on Youtube.

[efunkadelic]

I miss that video also! I took it for granted... :(

[mrpower328]

They performed, this song Higher Plane, Rhyme Tyme People and Summer madness on Soul Train. Do you know where can I buy the DVD for these. I guess Youtube yanked them from the site do to copyright protection.

[LamontCJ]

Still don't know what you're talking about. I would like to see them on soultrain too.

[efunkadelic]

Lamont...

somebody had a Kool & The Gang - Higher Plane video of them as guest stars on soul train... But it was deleted around 3 months ago.

[LamontCJ]

I heard! Something's up with YouTube because several videos hve just vanished.

[freein2339]

Soul Train in their twisted wisdom decided to yank a lot of nice videos from YouTube..The answer I got was they are working on a collection of DVDs to market..That's all well and good but damn how long does it take to put that together since all the material is right in your offices..?? Anyway , I brought this album in the 70s and I even saw them during that time...great band , always professional about what they were doing...Hell to last as long as they have , you're doing something right.

[Boopey61]

Don Cornelious is a cheap Mother Fucker cause he has the rights 2 all the episodes and he won`t release them not yet anyway. Peace.

[mrpower328]

ahh man what happened to the soul train video with kool & the gang performing this song?