Customer Reviews

Good Times

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This disc is full of great funk and jazz riffs. For some reason this album never became commercially popular unlike their other earlier works. This disc is worth it for the great instrumentals and includes the track "I Remember John W. Coltrane" which is a hard track to find. I was very happy to see that they did in fact remaster this and didn't forget about it. "North, South, East, West" another great track on here was one of the finest instrumental tracks they've recorded. If you like early funk and jazz this is the Kool and The Gang album for you. Stick with their 70's material and you will not be disappointed.

The other reviwer hit the nail on the head. This album was released at a time when bands were making the transition from soul to Jazz to Disco (still a few years off). This was a time when sparks were flying amoungst trained jazzers who were literally funking out. Race relations were tense on the streets, and the Black music of this era was a good reflection of those turbulent times. Tough grooves were pumped out with 'get down regardless' ethos that was picked up by Sly Stone, Parliament/Funkadelic/Temptations/Curtis. Even Herbie Hancock was Funking out(then again, he always was!)!

K&TG were no exception! Running a unit so tight that it rivaled even the J.B's, it was all phat guitar licks, raw drums and Robert Kool's bottom heavy basslines with that awesome front line horn section that flowed and penetrated anything that passed by without a funky feeling.

The track 'Rated X,' was recently sampled by the Plump Dj's for their 'Creepshow' tune. You can tell where the current Breaks scene gets it toe jam from! This is the original Lick. There are more Jazzy layers like 'I remember John Coltrane,' with its K&TG breezy signature feel. On the whole, if you dig raw, funky party grooves, then buy anything from this bands back cat in the early to mid 70's, you'll be reaching for the flares and afro in no time!

Before Kool and The Gang went commercial with radio hits like "Celebration," and "Cherish," they were working in jazz funk--almost an edgier Young Holt Unlimited.

Good Times is a good representation of that early work, which started around 1969 with soul singles like "Hot Buttermilk." As the 1970s began, Kool became funkier and harder, and a lot of this sound is featured on this album

You may not like the slick late 1970s and early 1980s Kool And The Gang work, but in tone, you are really listening to two, maybe three different bands if you trace the line from 1969 to the 1980s: soul jazz, funk jazz, and slick radio singles.

Good Times is Kool at peek power, and among early 1970s funk, this band is underrated and essential .