Kool and the Gang is the debut studio album by funk band Kool & the Gang, released in December 1969 on De-Lite Records It peaked at No. 43 on the Billboard R&B albums chart.
Critical reception
JT Griffith of AllMusic said, "Though barely over a half an hour long, Kool and the Gang is a blast of a record containing strong elements that would become the band's trademarks: smooth melodies, suave rhythms, and brassy horns. This is one of Kool & the Gang's jazzier albums and a strong debut worth checking out."
Singles
The singles, "Kool and the Gang" and "Let the Music Take Your Mind", both peaked at No. 19 on the Billboard Best-Selling Soul Singles chart.
Track listing
De-Lite Records â DE-2003:
Personnel
- Robert "Kool" Bell â bass, vocals
- Khalis Bayyan aka "Ronald Bell" â tenor and soprano saxophones, alto flute, vocals
- George "Funky" Brown â drums, percussion, vocals
- Robert "Spike" Mickens â trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals
- Claydes Smith â guitars
- Woody Sparrow â guitars
- Dennis "D.T." Thomas â alto saxophone, flute, percussion, vocals
- Ricky West â keyboards, piano, vocals
Technical
- Malcom Addey â sound engineer
Design
- Robert Golden â album design
Singles
- "Kool & the Gang"/"Raw Hamburgers" (19 R&B/59 pop) (1969)
- "The Gang's Back Again"/"Kool's Back Again" (37/85) (1969)
- "Let the Music Take Your Mind"/"Chocolate Buttermilk" (19/78) (1970)
References