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 – DE-2003:
Personnel Robert "Kool" Bell – bass, vocals Khalis Bayyan "Ronald Bell" – tenor and soprano saxophones, alto flute, vocals George "Funky" Brown – drums, percussion, vocals Robert "Spike" Mickens – trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals Claydes Smith – guitars Woody Sparrow – guitars Dennis "D.T." Thomas – alto saxophone, flute, percussion, vocals Ricky West – keyboards, piano, vocals
Technical Malcom Addey – sound engineer
Design Robert Golden – 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