Kool Classics as you have never heard them before...
P. Gove | Detroit, MI United States | 07/18/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is an amazing double CD tribute compilation - to commemorate 40 years in the business, Kool & The Gang has teamed up and remade many of their top hits top to bottom featuring many of todays most up & coming vocalists and artists. I am quite surprised that this project has not made more of a splash in the states, yet...There are many remarkable, creative reworkings on the classics here. The song that stands out the most is "Steppin' Out" which features the UKs Beverley Knight. Beverley lights up this track - this song is a perfect way to showcase her talent. She goes all out and the vocal mixing placements are perfect. Easily a chartable track again - some 20 years after it's original street date. And then who is Indi Gregg???? Her remake of "Tonight" is exquisite!! So is her voice. I will be buying her CD next. Then the unthinkable happens - can a remake ever be as potent as the original? Don't answer this until you hear the band "Natural" spill their flavor into "Cherish" What was best known as one of the 80s most sultry ballads is now made to rock in 2004. Catchy as ever...Last, I have to say that if Kool & The Gang does not release their new track "Serious" here in the states, then it can only mean that they just don't like money, because this track has hit, hit, hit written all over it. It's a remake set to the beat of "Too Hot" featuring Xavier Naidoo & Mousse T. I have only listened to the track once or twice, but I cannot get it out of my head. Any Kool & The Gang fan out there should really have this to round out their collection - both CDs are very well done. It's their hits, had they been released today. The only guest vocalist missing in this all-star lineup is perhaps the one the fans want to hear most - JT Taylor. Robert Bell & The Band - you are legends in your own time. Thank you for holding this band together for so many years and for all the good shows, hard work, oh and the MUSIC!! - you are very much appreciated. God Bless you and what the future brings you..."
Nice Tribute But Not a Great Tribute
KC | Northern CA | 01/14/2006
(2 out of 5 stars)
"This would've been an amazing concert but as a record/CD - not so much.
Kool & the Gang had some great hits and they still stand the test of time - one test of a great song (and great performance) is that they sound fresh and could've been released yesterday. Kool & the Gang's songs and performances from the 1970's and 1980's still sound fresh and vibrant today - one reason you can't go more than 40 minutes without hearing a song of theirs on a soft rock station.
So this tribute album is a bit odd. Instead of having other big stars performing Kool & the Gang songs - perhaps they thought that might've been too radical and jarring to what our ears are used to? They asked these artists to perform with Kool & the Gang.
Interesting idea and if you're a completist fan of Kool & the Gang, you'll want this CD but frankly, the execution and performances of these artists are pretty lacking and weak. Perhaps they were in such awe of tampering with the songs or whatever the reason, to be perfectly honest - most of them sound like they they sang their version in front of a karoke version of Kool & the Gang's music playing in the background.
Some are okay, some interesting but really, overall - mostly flat, weak and adds nothing to Kool & the Gang's original songs. Nothing horrible but really - non-descript and instantly forgettable.
If you like/love the originals - get those instead."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1