Our 5 Favourites: Kool & The Gang songs

Formed as a jazz ensemble in the ’60s, Kool & The Gang became one of the most influential funk bands of the ’70s and ’80s. They’re still making us dance to this day. 🎺🎙

From touching on soul and disco, to finding their groove as a pop-funk / R&B band – their back catalogue is overflowing with floor fillers.

Here are their very best songs to make for a perfect Celebration at CC on Sunday 11th June…

1. Get Down On It (1981)

Kool & The Gang achieved one of their biggest UK hits with their post-disco 1981 classic ‘Get Down On It’.  Sweetly soft, but still packing that punchy Kool & the Gang sound, this now-classic track was completely contemporary for its time – but still held onto and paid homage to the past. Literally vibrates with joyful energy.

2. CELEBRATION (1980)

In the late 1980s, the band released ‘Celebration’. It became a timeless and ubiquitous party anthem, played non-stop over the last 40 years, and is perhaps one of the most recognisable songs in pop. This track is the only number 1 hit in the long career of Kool & the Gang, and you can hear why – as it continues to be an ultimate feel-good disco classic.

3. LADIES’ NIGHT (1979)

Closing the door on their signature ‘dirty funk’ style of the 1970s, Kool & The Gang added a polished musical sparkle to their sound, kicking off their new era with the 1978 album and its title track ‘Ladies Night’. Moving into more mainstream pop territory, ‘Ladies Night’ topped the R&B charts for nearly a month – scoring them their first top 10 hit in the UK. A classic disco staple.

4. SUMMER MADNESS (1974) 

One of the smoothest summer jams ever made, ‘Summer Madness’ has to make it onto any Kool playlist. The chill jazz instrumental is one of those songs that draws you in and mesmerises you, from the moment it starts playing. Its signature synth was so infectious the song became an inspiration to many artists – being notably sampled later on by Will Smith (on his 1991 hit ‘Sumertime’) and Mase’s 1997 anthem ‘Feel So Good’.

5. JUNGLE BOOGIE (1973)

A certified banger of a track, ‘Jungle Boogie’ soon became a hit in nightclubs and discos everywhere. The earliest release on our list, this naughty number epitomises the ‘dirty funk’ sound that Kool became known for in the ‘70s. Jungle jazz meets funk: it doesn’t get any better than this! Shout out to Quentin Tarantino for his iconic use of the tune in his crime classic Pulp Fiction.

Kool and The Gang bring the celebration to the CC stage on Sunday 11th June! 🎉🕺

Don’t miss out – secure your spot NOW.