Kool & The Gang Album: “Light of Worlds”

I purchased this album in November 1974. It is one of the best R & B albums ever! During this era of their careers they were playing serious R&B with a Jazz overtone. The title track is unbelievable. "Summer Madness" is a standard. In fact it was recently used in the movie "Baby Boy". However, this track did not make it to the soundtrack. We used to do the "Bump" to "Higher Plane". I was a sophomore in high school when this came out. "Light of Worlds" brings back many fond memories.

I pity those who gave this album one star. The reviews were vague. Maybe they were expecting platform shoes, plaid bell bottoms and more Jungle Boogie or the Angels Flight Suited, uptown disco vibe of Ladies Night. Light Of Worlds is neither. This was a departure from their in yo face funk to a more mature, socially aware, spacey jazz/funk vibe. I was 13 when this LP came out and I saved my allowance for 2 weeks to buy this and it remains one of my top shelf favorites to this day. This record is pretty seemless and I believe was meant to be listened from beginning to end in one sitting very much like Marvin Gaye's peak of creativity, What's Going On?. Summer Madness is the stand out track but the rest of the album is equally pleasing.

The very first time I heard Kool and the Gang, I was at a house party. They had a destinct sound of Jazz and R&B. During this time many bands were in competition with one another. However, Kool and the Gang never waivered and when they played they really made it look so effortless. Their music was so smooth that you could listen or dance to it. It was a priviledge to watch them grow. I remember seeing them on TV, singing their song Hollywood Swingin, and guess what? They were really in Hollywood, they finally made it! No one puts it down like Kool.

I was beginning my senior year in high school when this album was released. I was into 8 track tapes then like a lot of my friends were, so From that time until about 1978 all of my music,except the Temps of course, was in that format.Higher Plane was the 1st hit single, but the 2 songs that I loved were Street Corner Symphony, and Whiting H & G. After I finished College I bought the album and Summer Madness became my favorite. Now that I own this classic in CD format I just play it from start to finish and remember when Kool and the Gang was the standard for funk along with EWF.One of their best,if not the best that they ever made.

This is The Greatest CD Kool and The Gang has Produce in Their early Years!

PURE JAZZ GENIUS!

This is The Original Recording in which their Most Ingenius Instrumental Song "Summer Madness" made it's Debut!