Kool Music

Kool & the Gang is a legendary music group formed by Robert "Kool" Bell and his brother Ronald Bell in the mid-60s. Originally known as the Jazziacs, they started out playing traditional jazz before incorporating funk sounds into their style. They gained a loyal following with their infectious raw album Wild and Peaceful in 1974, which produced hits like "Funky Stuff," "Hollywood Swinging," and "Jungle Boogie." In 1979, they experienced a resurgence with the addition of lead singer James J.T. Taylor and producer Eumir Deodato, resulting in a string of top-10 pop and soul hits throughout the '80s.

With chart-toppers like "Celebration," "Cherish," and "Fresh," Kool & the Gang became one of the best-selling soul groups of that decade. Their music was enjoyable and well-performed, though at times leaning towards silliness ("Get Down On It"). Despite some formulaic sounds on their 1987 album Forever, they continued to be successful until Taylor's departure in pursuit of a solo career.

The group now consists of original members Robert Bell, Ronald Bell (Khalis Bayyan), George Brown, Dennis Thomas, and Charles Smith. They continue to tour internationally with a large following in Asia. Meanwhile, J.T. Taylor has had limited success as a solo artist. Although they spent some time on the oldies circuit