Kool & The Gang

Kool & the Gang's funky debut was an unexpected hit, with a first single (self-titled) climbing both the pop and R&B charts. Subsequent singles – "The Gang's Back Again," "Let the Music Take Your Mind," and "Funky Man," – followed the first into the charts, and there were plenty of other standout tracks: "Raw Hamburger," "Chocolate Buttermilk," and "Kool's Back Again." 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, though less accessible than any of their later pop recordings.

Ah, bliss. If a casual acquaintance with Kool and the Gang only brings to mind a handful of Top 40 tunes since the 1970s ("Get Down on It," "Celebration," "Joanna," etc.) then Live from House of Blues is here to broaden the record. In a thrilling display of R&B mastery, this army of horn players, vocalists, and captains of rhythm commandeers the Chicago stage, overwhelming everyone with relentless pop-funk, luscious soul, waves of jazz, and a dollop of hip-hop. Short on ballads, the Gang's set nevertheless is a stirring affair, with several instrumental tracks highlighting the group's orchestral majesty. But let there be no mistake. This show is a party, all right, and the many past and present members of the group who turn up to celebrate want to cherish the good times as much the crowd. –Tom Keogh