Okres zmian - nie tylko muzycznych - zakończyli w 1969 r., gdy ostatecznie zdecydowali się na nazwę Kool And The Gang (poprzednio używali kolejno: The New Dimensions, The New Flames i Kool And The Flames).
W 1973 r. grupa trafiła na amerykańską listę przebojów muzyki pop i za początkowała serię 19 hitów z Top 40, które nagrała we własnej wytwórni De-Lite. Pierwszym z nich był "Funky Stuff", a sukces ten powtórzyło rok później kilka utworów, które trafiły do Top 10, wśród nich "Jungle Boogie" i "Hollywood Swinging". Muzycy szli od sukcesu do sukcesu, mimo że popularność zespołu spadła na jakiś czas pod koniec lat 70-tych, gdy swe panowanie rozpoczęła muzyka disco.
W 1978 r. do "Gangu" dołączyli dwaj wokaliści: James "J.T." Taylor (ur. 16.08.1953 r. w Laurens w stanie Karolina Południowa, USA) i Earl Toon Jnr. (grający też na klawiszach). Równocześnie odszedł Rick Westfield (zmarł w 1987 r.). Zbiegło się to z zatrudnieniem nowego producenta. Został nim znany jazzman, wirtuoz instrumentów klawiszowych - Eumir Deodato, który uwypuklił cechy charakterystyczne dla eklektycznego stylu grupy. Razem nagrali całą serię międzynarodowych przebojów, wśród których znalazły się "Ladies' Night" (z 1979 r.), "Too Hot" (z 1980 r.) i radosny "Celebration"- "platynowa płyta" i amerykański numer l z 1980 r., wykorzystany potem w mediach jako melodia witająca powracających do domu amerykańskich zakładników z Iranu.
Zespół odnosił podobne sukcesy także i za granicą, a w Wielkiej Brytanii udało mu się umieścić w Top 5 trzy piosenki: "Get Down On It" (w 1981 r.), "Joanna" (w 1984 r.) i "Cherish" (w 1985 r.). Po dołączeniu do grupy Taylora także i albumy "Gangu" zaczęły zajmować miejsca w Top 30 zestawień w rodzinnym kraju, a Celebrate dotarł w 1980 r. do Top 10. Tak długa i owocna kariera zespołu była po części możliwa dzięki stabilnemu składowi. Sześciu czlonków-założycieli dotrwało z grupą aż do lat 80., a mimo że nowy nabytek. Toon, niebawem odszedł, Taylor stał się idealnym frontmanem.
Skład zespołu uzupełniono potem o kilku dodatkowych członków, m.in. Curtisa "Fritza" Williamsa (instr. klawiszowe), Clifforda Adamsa (puzon) i Michaela Raya (trąbka). Równocześnie bracia Bellowie po przejściu na islam zmienili nazwiska na: Khalis Bayyan (Ronald) i Amir Bayyan (Robert). Ta idylla została w końcu przerwana w 1988 r. na skutek odejścia Taylora. Zastąpiło go trzech wokalistów: Skip Martin - były członek Dazz Band - oraz Odeen Mays i Gary Brown. W 1989 r. Taylor nagrał album solowy, Sister Rosa, a zespół w tym samym roku przypomniał się longplayem Sweat.
Na kolejną płytę Kool And The Gang fanom przyszło czekać aż cztery lata. W 1993 r. na rynku pojawił się album Unite, na którym partie wokalne powierzono Odeenowi Maysowi.
Single | ||||||
Tytuł | Wykonawca | Data wydania | UK | US | Wytwórnia [US] |
Komentarz |
Kool and the gang/Raw hamburgers | Kool and The Gang | 08.1969 | - | 59[12] | De-Lite 519 | [written by Kool & The Gang][produced by Kool & The Gang][19[9].R&B; Chart] |
The gangs back again/Kools back again | Kool and The Gang | 12.1969 | - | 85[5] | De-Lite 523 | [written by Kool & The Gang][produced by Kool & The Gang][37[4].R&B Chart] |
Let the music take your mind/Chocolate buttermilk | Kool and The Gang | 06.1970 | - | 78[6] | De-Lite 529 | [written by Kool & The Gang, Gene Redd][produced by Gene Redd][19[9].R&B; Chart] |
Funky man/1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 | Kool and The Gang | 09.1970 | - | 87[4] | De-Lite 534 | [written by Kool & The Gang,Gene Redd][produced by Gene Redd][16[9].R&B; Chart] |
Who's gonna take the weight [Part.1]/Part.2 | Kool and The Gang | 01.1971 | - | 113[7] | De-Lite 538 | [written by Kool & The Gang,Gene Redd][produced by Gene Redd][28[5].R&B; Chart] |
I want to take you higher/Pneumonia | Kool and The Gang | 06.1971 | - | 105[3] | De-Lite 540 | [written by Sylvester Stewart][produced by Gene Redd][35[5].R&B; Chart][#38 hit for Sly & The Family Stone in 1970] |
Love the life you live Part.1/Part.2 | Kool and The Gang | 02.1972 | - | 107[3] | De-Lite 546 | [written by Kool & The Gang,Gene Redd][produced by Kool & The Gang][31[8].R&B; Chart] |
Funky stuff/More funky stuff | Kool and The Gang | 11.1973 | - | 29[12] | De-Lite 557 | [written by Kool & The Gang][produced by Kool & The Gang][5[19].R&B; Chart] |
Jungle boogie/North,East,South,West | Kool and The Gang | 04.1974 | - | 4[22] | De-Lite 559 | [gold-US][written by Ronald Bell, Kool And The Gang][produced by Kool & The Gang][2[22].R&B; Chart] |
Hollywood swinging/Duji | Kool and The Gang | 07.1974 | - | 6[19] | De-Lite 561 | [gold-US][written by Kool & the Gang, Ricky West][produced by Kool & The Gang][1[1][17].R&B; Chart] |
Higher plane/Wild is love | Kool and The Gang | 09.1974 | - | 37[8] | De-Lite 1562 | [written by Kool & the Gang, Ronald Bell][produced by K And G Productions][1[1][14].R&B; Chart] |
Rhyme tyme people/Father father | Kool and The Gang | 01.1975 | 63 | 63[8] | De-Lite 1563 | [written by Kool & the Gang, Dennis Thomas, Penni Saunders][produced by K And G Productions][3[16].R&B; Chart] |
Spirit of the boogie/Summer madness | Kool and The Gang | 03.1975 | - | 35[17] | De-Lite 1567 | [written by R. Bell, D. Boyce, Kool And The Gang][produced by R. Bell, Kool And The Gang][A:1[1][16].R&B; Chart][B:36[5].R&B Chart] |
Caribbean festival/Caribbean festival [disco version] | Kool and The Gang | 10.1975 | - | 55[7] | De-Lite 1573 | [written by Kool & the Gang, Ronald Bell,Claydes Smith][produced by Kool & The Gang][6[16].R&B; Chart] |
Love and understanding [Come together]/Sunshine and love | Kool and The Gang | 03.1976 | - | 77[8] | De-Lite 1579 | [written by Kool & the Gang, Ronald Bell,Claydes Smith][produced by Kool & The Gang][8[15].R&B; Chart] |
Universal sound/Ancestral ceremony | Kool and The Gang | 07.1976 | - | 101[3] | De-Lite 1583 | [written by Kool & the Gang, Ronald Bell][produced by K.G. Productions][71[7].R&B; Chart] |
Open sesame [Part 1]/Open sesame [Part 2] | Kool and The Gang | 10.1976 | - | 55[7] | De-Lite 1586 | [written by Kool & the Gang, Ronald Bell][produced by K.G. Prod., Mr. Vee Productions][6[18].R&B; Chart] |
Super band/Sunshine | Kool and The Gang | 05.1977 | - | 101[6] | De-Lite 1590 | [written by Kool & the Gang][produced by K.G.Productions][17[13].R&B; Chart] |
Slick superchick/Life's a song | Kool and The Gang | 04.1978 | - | 102[3] | De-Lite 901 | [written by George Brown, Kool And The Gang][produced by Ronald Bell, Kool And The Gang][19[16].R&B; Chart] |
Everybody's Dancin'/Stay Awhile | Kool and The Gang | 12.1978 | - | - | De-Lite 910 | [written by Ronald Bell, Kool And The Gang][produced by Ronald Bell, Kool And The Gang][65[8].R&B; Chart] |
Ladies night/If you feel like dancin' | Kool and The Gang | 09.1979 | 9[12] | 8[24] | De-Lite 801 | [gold-US][written by George M. Brown, Kool And Gang][produced by Emir Deodato, Kool And The Gang][1[3][21].R&B; Chart] |
Too hot/Tonight' s the night | Kool and The Gang | 01.1980 | 23[8] | 5[18] | De-Lite 802 | [gold-US][written by Kool & the Gang, George Brown][produced by Kool and The Gang, Eumir Deodato][3[20].R&B; Chart] |
Hangin' out/Got you into my life | Kool and The Gang | 06.1980 | 52[4] | 103[3] | De-Lite 804 | [written by Kool & the Gang,Ronald Bell][produced by Eumir Deodato][36[8].R&B; Chart][36.R&B; Chart] |
Celebration /Morning star | Kool and The Gang | 10.1980 | 7[18] | 1[2][30] | De-Lite 807 | [platinum-US][written by Kool & the Gang, Ronald Bell][produced by Kool and The Gang, Eumir Deodato][1[6][24].R&B; Chart] |
Take It To The Top/Love Affair | Kool and The Gang | 02.1981 | 15[9] | - | De-Lite 810 | [written by Kool & the Gang, Ronald Bell][produced by Eumir Deodato][11[14].R&B; Chart] |
Jones vs Jones/Night people | Kool and The Gang | 05.1981 | 17[11] | 39[11] | De-Lite 813 | [written by Kool & the Gang, George Brown][produced by Kool and The Gang][33[12].R&B; Chart] |
Take my heart [You can have it if you want it]/Just friends | Kool and The Gang | 10.1981 | 29[7] | 17[17] | De-Lite 815 | [written by George Brown,Kool & The Gang,Charles Smith,James "J.T." Taylor][produced by Eumir Deodato][1[1][21].R&B; Chart] |
Steppin' out/Love festival | Kool and The Gang | 06.1982 | 12[13] | 89[2] | De-Lite 816 | [written by Ronald Bell, James Taylor, Kool And The Gang][produced by Eumir Deodato][12[10].R&B; Chart] |
Get down on it/Steppin' out | Kool and The Gang | 02.1982 | 3[13] | 10[16] | De-Lite 818 | [gold-US][written by Ronald Bell, James Taylor, Kool And The Gang][produced by Eumir Deodato][4[13].R&B; Chart] |
Big fun/No show | Kool and The Gang | 08.1982 | 14[8] | 21[11] | De-Lite 822 | [written by Robert "Kool" Bell, James Taylor, George Brown, Ronald Bell, Kool And The Gang][produced by Eumir Deodato][6[14].R&B; Chart] |
Let' s go dancin' [Ooh,la la]/Be my lady | Kool and The Gang | 10.1982 | 6[9] | 30[15] | De-Lite 824 | [written by Amir Bayyan, James Taylor, Kool And The Gang][produced by Eumir Deodato][7[17].R&B; Chart] |
Hi de hi,hi de ho/No show | Kool and The Gang | 11.1982 | 29[8] | - | De-Lite DE 14 [UK] | |
Joanna /Place for us | Kool and The Gang | 10.1983 | 2[11] | 2[24] | De-Lite 829 | [silver-UK][gold-US][written by Charles Smith/James Taylor/Kool & The Gang][produced by Ronald Bell, James Bonnefond, Kool And The Gang][1[2][23].R&B; Chart] |
Straight ahead/September love | Kool and The Gang | 12.1983 | 15[10] | 103[3][06.84] | De-Lite 831 | [written by R. Bell, J. Taylor, Kool And The Gang][produced by Ronald Bell, James Bonnefond, Kool And The Gang][49[8].R&B; Chart] |
Tonight /Home is where the heart is | Kool and The Gang | 02.1984 | - | 13[18] | De-Lite 830 | [written by J. Taylor, C. Williamson][produced by Ronald Bell][7[17].R&B; Chart] |
[When you say you love somebody] In the heart/September love | Kool and The Gang | 04.1984 | 7[8] | - | De-Lite DE 17 [UK] | [written by Robert Bell, James Taylor, Ronald Bell, Kool And The Gang][produced by Kool And The Gang] |
Misled /Rollin' | Kool and The Gang | 11.1984 | 28[5] | 10[24] | De-Lite 88 0431 | [written by R. Bell, J. Taylor, Kool And The Gang][produced by Ronald Bell, Jim Bonnefond, Kool And The Gang][3[20].R&B; Chart] |
Fresh /Home is where the heart is | Kool and The Gang | 03.1985 | 11[12] | 9[19] | De-Lite 88 0623 | [silver -UK][written by J. Taylor, S. Linzer, Kool And The Gang][produced by Jim Bonnefond, Ronald Bell, Kool And The Gang][1[1][19].R&B Chart] |
Cherish /[instrumental] | Kool and The Gang | 06.1985 | 4[22] | 2[25] | De-Lite 88 0869 | [gold-US][silver -UK][written by R. Bell, J. Taylor, Kool And The Gang][produced by Jim Bonnefond, Ronald Bell, Kool And The Gang][1[1][18].R&B Chart] |
Emergency /You are the one | Kool and The Gang | 10.1985 | 50[3] | 18[16] | De-Lite 88 4199 | [written by G. Brown, J. Taylor, Kool And The Gang][produced by Jim Bonnefond, Ronald Bell, Kool And The Gang][7[16].R&B Chart] |
Victory /Bad woman | Kool and The Gang | 11.1986 | 30[12] | 10[18] | Mercury 88 8074 | [written by Khalis Bayyan (Ronald Bell), James Taylor][produced by Khalis Bayyan (Ronald Bell), I.B.M.C, Kool And The Gang][2[18].R&B Chart] |
Stone love/Dance champion | Kool and The Gang | 02.1987 | 45[4] | 10[18] | Mercury 88 8292 | [written by C. Smith, J. Taylor, Kool And The Gang][produced by Khalis Bayyan (Ronald Bell), I.B.M.C, Kool And The Gang][4[17].R&B Chart] |
Holiday | Kool and The Gang | 06.1987 | - | 66[7] | Mercury 88 8712 | [written by C. Williams, J. Taylor, Kool And The Gang][produced by Khalis Bayyan (Ronald Bell), I.B.M.C, Kool And The Gang][9[13].R&B Chart] |
Special way/God' s country | Kool and The Gang | 10.1987 | - | 72[14] | Mercury 88 8867 | [written by K. Bayyan (R. Bell), D. Kyles, J. Taylor, K. Stubbs, G. Brown][produced by Khalis Bayyan (Ronald Bell), I.B.M.C, Kool And The Gang] |
Rags To Riches | Kool and The Gang | 08.1988 | - | - | Mercury 870 513 | [written by Meekaaeel, Imani][produced by I.B.M.C][38[9].R&B Chart] |
Celebration [SAW remix]/Rags to riches | Kool and The Gang | 12.1988 | 56[5] | - | Mercury JAB 78 [UK] | |
Raindrops/Amor Amore | Kool and The Gang | 07.1989 | - | - | Mercury 874 402 | [written C. Booker][produced by Chuckii Booker][27[11].R&B Chart] |
Never Give Up/Amor Amore | Kool and The Gang | 10.1989 | - | - | Mercury 876 072 | [written S. Habeeb, D. Bellochio][produced by Nick Martinelli][74[6].R&B Chart] |
Get down on it/ Celebration | Kool and The Gang | 06.1991 | 69[1] | - | Mercury MER 346 [UK] | |
In the hood | Kool and The Gang & J.T. Taylor | 08.1996 | 146 | - | The Hit Label | |
Ladies night | Atomic Kitten feat Kool and The Gang | 12.2003 | 8[11] | - | Innocent SINCD 53 [UK] |
Albumy | ||||||
Tytuł | Wykonawca | Data wydania | UK | US | Wytwórnia [US] |
Komentarz |
Live at The Sex Machine | Kool and The Gang | 02.1971 | - | 122[19] | De-Lite 2008 | [produced by Gene Redd] |
The best of Kool and The Gang | Kool and The Gang | 09.1971 | - | 157[8] | De-Lite 2009 | |
Live at P.J.' S | Kool and The Gang | 01.1972 | - | 171[7] | De-Lite 2010 | [produced by Gene Redd] |
Good times | Kool and The Gang | 03.1973 | - | 142[7] | De-Lite 2012 | [produced by Kool & the Gang] |
Wild and peacefull | Kool and The Gang | 10.1973 | - | 33[60] | De-Lite 2013 | [gold-US][produced by Kool & the Gang] |
Kool jazz | Kool and The Gang | 01.1974 | - | 187[4] | De-Lite 4001 | |
Light of worlds | Kool and The Gang | 10.1974 | - | 63[34] | De-Lite 2014 | [gold-US][produced by K. & G. Productions] |
Kool & The Gang Greatest Hits! | Kool and The Gang | 03.1975 | - | 81[23] | De-Lite 2015 | |
Spirit of the boogie | Kool and The Gang | 08.1975 | - | 48[14] | De-Lite 2016 | [produced by Kool & the Gang] |
Love & understanding | Kool and The Gang | 03.1976 | - | 68[20] | De-Lite 2018 | [produced by Kool & the Gang] |
Open sesame | Kool and The Gang | 11.1976 | - | 110[18] | De-Lite 2023 | [produced by Kool & the Gang] |
The force | Kool and The Gang | 01.1978 | - | 142[7] | De-Lite 9501 | [produced by Kool & the Gang] |
Ladies' night | Kool and The Gang | 09.1979 | - | 13[45] | De-Lite 9513 | [platinium-US][produced by Eumir Deodato] |
Celebrate! | Kool and The Gang | 10.1980 | - | 10[44] | De-Lite 9518 | [platinium-US][produced by Kool and the Gang, Eumir Deodato] |
Something special | Kool and The Gang | 10.1981 | 10[20] | 12[67] | De-Lite 8502 | [platinium-US][gold-UK][produced by Eumir Deodato] |
As one | Kool and The Gang | 10.1982 | 49[10] | 29[24] | De-Lite 8505 | [gold-US][produced by Eumir Deodato] |
Twice as Kool | Kool and The Gang | 05.1983 | 4[23] | - | De-Lite PROLP 2 [UK] | [gold-UK] |
In the heart | Kool and The Gang | 12.1983 | 18[23] | 29[37] | De-Lite 8508 | [gold-US][silver-UK][produced by Jim Bonnefond, Ronald Bell, Kool & the Gang] |
Emergency | Kool and The Gang | 12.1984 | 47[25] | 13[74] | De-Lite 822 943 | [2x-platinium-US][silver-UK][produced by Jim Bonnefond, Ronald Bell, Kool & the Gang] |
Forever | Kool and The Gang | 12.1986 | - | 25[42] | Mercury 830 398 | [gold-US][produced by Kool and the Gang, Khalis Bayyan, I.B.M.C.] |
Everything' s Kool & The Gang:Greatest Hits and more | Kool and The Gang | 08.1988 | - | 109[11] | Mercury 834 780 | |
The singles collection | Kool and The Gang | 11.1988 | 28[13] | - | De-Lite KGTV 1 | [gold-UK] |
Kool love | Kool and The Gang | 10.1990 | 50[1] | - | Telstar STAR 2435 | |
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