We couldn't remember when Kool & The Gang last released a new album
so had to check and of course it wasn't that long ago as they released "Perfect Union" in Aug 2021. Today they release their 34th studio album "People Just Wanna Have Fun".
We are told that this album includes some studio work by two now deceased
founding members, horn players Ronald 'Khalis' Bell (d. 2020) and Dennis
'D.T. Thomas (d. 2021).
Their latest single "Let's Party" was released on 11 Jul which did nothing for us as the title says it all
really! However, trawling through the album tracks our ears were pricked by
"Movie Star" which sounds like Prince meets Parliament/Funkadelic if that sound floats
your boat.
We're afraid to say that album didn't really float our boat. It's full of
funk and party jams i.e. funky dance music that borders on pop but if that's
your bag then perhaps you'll enjoy it. We thought that out of 15 tracks
there would perhaps be some we could call remotely soulful but sadly only
really one, "That's What I Love About You".
It came close with "Obsession" and "My Weakness" which goes off with some rock style guitar sections. A couple of tracks
have a Latin or Caribbean flavour but in general there is not much of
real interest to the soul listener apart from "That's What I Love About You" and perhaps the closing track "99 Miles To JC" which has some nice jazzy saxophone solos and a Latin feel but also has
some Snoop Dogg style rap by an unnamed rapper who we believe is Ole' just to alert those who are adverse to rap! By the way, we assume JC refers to their home town Jersey City where they were formed in 1964.
Another anomaly on Amazon as it is listed for sale on vinyl and CD with a
release date of 21 Jul, but doesn't appear to be available digitally (as
yet).
Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.
Click icons below for further information or to connect with the
artist.
| Rating: | 7.4 |
| Explicit: | N |
| Genre/Style: | New Soul / Funk |
| Format: | Album |
| Media: | Digital /CD / Vinyl |
| Label: | Astana Music |
| Cat No: | None |
| Date: | 14/07/2023 / 21/07/2023 |
| Price: | £TBC /£13.31 / £29.22 |
Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved
Yes, we are far from the great Kool & The Gang of yesteryear. The true soul lover will go his way!!! Alas.
ReplyDeleteYves