前作のホリデー・アルバム『Kool for the Holidays』（2013）から8年、オリジナルアルバムとしては『Still Kool』（2007）以来14年振りに発売された、グループ結成57年・レコードデビュー52年の最新アルバムになる。アルバム発売までの長い間隔の間に、いろいろな出来事が起こる。この最新アルバムは2020年9月9日に他界したグループの音楽面での大黒柱であったロナルド・ベルが生前に残したレコーディングアルバム。
さらに、もう一人のグループの顔であったDeeTeeことデニス・トーマスもアルバム発売直前の2021年8月9日に他界してしまった。デニス・トーマスは、2021年7月4日アメリカの独立記念日ロサンゼルスのハリウッド・ボウルでのステージが最後のステージとなった。涙
グループの顔になる、ロナルド・ベル、デニス・トーマスの二人のレジェンドの冥福を祈り、この困難な時代にグループが残した希望と喜びのサウンドをお祝いしたい。
PERFECT UNION（2021）
1. PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
- 5:13 (Ronald Bell/Walter Anderson/Jahqae Muhammad/Balawa Muhammad/
Keith Murray/Celina Gray/Robert Bell/Dennis Thomas)
2. THE WEEKEND
- 3:09 (Ronald Bell/Jahqae Muhammad/Walter Anderson/Balawa Muhammad)
3. LEAVE IT ON THE DANCE FLOOR
- 3:18 (Ronald Bell/Gabriele Falanga/Walt Anderson)
4. HIGH - 4:46 (Ronald Bell/Walter Anderson)
5. SEXY (WHERE’D YOU GET YOURS)
- 2:49 (Ronald Bell/Walter Anderson/Alessandro Ca lemme)
6. ALL TO MYSELF
- 3:35 (Ronald Bell/Walter Anderson/Alessandro Calemme)
7. R.O.Y.A.L.T.Y. (Kool & The Gang Mix)
- 3:12 (Hakim Bell/Walter Anderson/Ronald Bell/Hamza Lee/Shaun Bass)
8. HOLD ON - 3:35 (Ronald Bell/Walter Anderson/Robert Bell)
9. GOOD TIME
- 3:22 (Ronald Bell/Walter Anderson/Mark Smith/Akene Dunkley/Shaun Bass/Hakim Bell)
10. PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS (Rap Version)
- 3:19 (Ronald Bell/Walter Anderson/Jahqae Muhammad/Balawa Muhammad/
Keith Murry/Celina Gray/Robert Bell/Dennis Thomas)
Executive Producer Ronald Bell
Produced by Ronald Khalis Bell
Leave It on the Dance Floor : Co-Produced by Gabri Hell
All to Myself : Co-Produced by Alessandro Calemme
Good Time : Co-Produced by Mark Smith & Akene Dunkley
Sexy (Where'd You Get Yours) : Co-Produced by Alessandro Calemme & Walt Anderson
R.O.Y.A.L.T.Y. (Kool & The Gang Mix) : Co-Produced by Hamz Lee & Hakim Bell
Kool & The Gang - Robert "Kool" Bell, Ronald Bell, George Brown, Dennis Thomas
1. PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
(Ronald Bell/Walter Anderson/Jahqae Muhammad/Balawa Muhammad/Keith Murray/Celina Gray/Robert Bell/Dennis Thomas)
BalawaMuhammad, Keith Murray- Writers
Walt Anderson - lead & backing vocals
Ronald Bell - keyboards, tenor sax, backing vocals
George Brown - percussion
Robert "Kool" Bell - bass
DennisThomes - alto sax
Royal Bayyan - electric guitar
Keith Murray - rap
2. THE WEEKEND
(Ronald Bell/Jahqae Muhammad/Walter Anderson/Balawa Muhammad)
Balawa Muhammad, Walt Anderson - lead & backing vocals
Ronald Bell - keyboards, tenor sax, backing vocals
George Brown - percussion
Robert "Kool" Bell - bass
Dennis Thomas - alto sax
Amir Bayyan - electric guitar
3. LEAVE IT ON THE DANCE FLOOR
(Ronald Bell/Gabriele Falanga/Walt Anderson)
Walt Anderson - lead & backing vocals
Shawn McQuiller, Lavell Evans - backing vocals
Ronald Bell― keyboards, tenor sax, backing vocals
George Brown - percussion
Robert "Kool" Bell - bass
Dennis Thomas - alto sax
Amir Bayyan - electric guitar
Mike Ray, Ravi Best - trumpet
4. HIGH
(Ronald Bell/Walter Anderson)
Walt Anderson - lead & backing vocals
Steve Lavell - backing vocals/
Ronald Bell - keyboards, bass, drums, strings, tenor sax
Robert "Kool" Bell - bass
George Brown - percusstion
DennisThomas - alto sax
Ravi Best - trumpet
Mark Bowers - electric guitar
5. SEXY (WHERE’D YOU GET YOURS)
(Where'd You Get Yours)(Ronald Bell/Walter Anderson/
Alessandro Ca lemme)
Walt Anderson - vocals
Shawn McQuiller, Lavell Evans,Jacqueline Reilly - backing vocals
Robert "Kool" Bell - bass
Ronald Bell - tenor sax, backing vocals
George Brown - percussion
Dennis Thomas - alto sax
Amir Bayyan - electric guitar
Ravi Best, Michael Ray - trumpet
Jermaine Bryson - trombone
Diego Leanza -bass, electric guitar
6. ALL TO MYSELF
(Ronald Bell/Walter Anderson/Alessandro Calemme)
Walt Anderson - lead & backing vocals
Shawn McQuiller, Lavell Evans - backing vocals
Alessandro Ca lemme - keyboards, bass, organ, electric guitar
Robert "Kool" Bell - bass
Ronald Bell - keyboards, tenor sax, backing vocals
George Brown - percussion
DennisThomas - alto sax
Royal Bawan, Amir Bawan - electric guitar
Michael Ray - trumpet
7. R.O.Y.A.L.T.Y. (Kool & The Gang Mix)
(Hakim Bell/Walter Anderson/Ronald Bell/Hamza Lee/Shaun Bass)
Walt Anderson - lead & backing vocals, vocal arrangements
Robert "Kool" Bell - bass
Ronald Bell - tenor sax
George Brown - percussion
DennisThomas - alto sax
Robert Stringer - trombone
Akene Dunkley - keyboards
Eddie Allen - trumpet
8. HOLD ON
(Ronald Bell/Walter Anderson/Robert Bell)
Walt Anderson - lead & backing vocals
Ronald Bell - keyboards, electric guitar, tenor sax, backing vocals
George Brown - percussion
Robert "Kool" Bell - bass
Dennis Thomas - alto sax
9. GOOD TIME
(Ronald Bell/Walter Anderson/Mark Smith/Akene Dunkley/Shaun Bass/Hakim Bell)
Walt Anderson - lead & backing vocals
Steve Lavell - backing vocals
Ronald Bell - tenor sax, drums, backing vocals
Mark Smith - Keyboards and Guitar
Shaun Bass - bass
Robert "Kool" Bell - bass
George Brown - percussion
DennisThomas - alto sax
Akene Dunkley - guitar
10. PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS (Rap Version)
(Ronald Bell/Walter Anderson/Jahqae Muhammad/Balawa Muhammad/Keith Murry/Celina Gray/Robert Bell/Dennis Thomas)
BalawaMuhammad, Walt Anderson - lead & backing vocals
Ronald Bell - keyboards, tenor sax, backing vocals
George Brown - percussion
Robert "Kool" Bell - bass
Dennis Thomas - alto sax
Royal Bawan - electric guitar
Keith Murray - rap
Produced by Ronald Khalis Bell for LeJam Productions, Inc. under license to K.T.F.A. Entertainment, Inc
Pursuit of Happiness, Pursuit of Happiness (Rap Version) : Engineered by Rashad Muhammad/ Mixed by Kendal Stubs
The Weekend : Engineered by Rashad Muhammad/ Mixed by Kendal Stubs, Ronald Bell & Rashad Muhammad/ Leave It On
The Dance Floor, High, All To Myself, Hold On, Good Time :
Engineered by Rashad Muhammad/ Mixed by Kendal Stubs & Rashad Muhammad
Sexy(Where'd You Get Yours) : Engineered by Rashad Muhammad/ Mixed by Ronald Bell & Rashad Muhammad
R.O.Y.A.L.T.Y. (Kool & The Gang Mix) : Engineered by Kendal Stubbs/ Mixed by Kendal Stubbs & Ronald Bell,
Recorded at LeJam Productions, Inc, NJ 4th Qtr Studios, NJ / Mixed at Sound On Sound Recording, NJ,4th Qtr Studios,NJ
Mastered by Chris Gehringer at Sterling Sound, NJ
except for "Sexy (Where'd You Get Yours)" Mastered by Tom Coyne at Sterling Sound, NJ
Business Manager Tia Sinclair K.T.F.A. Entertainment, Inc
Artist Manager Adil Bayyan and Shamsud-Din Sharif for Str-8- Hand,
Business Affairs: Glenn Schwartz
Art Direction and Design: Box of Wolves Graphics
Project Assistance: Audry Bilger, Dutch Cramblitt, Lee Lodyga, Cheryl Pawelsi & Brad Rosenberger
Project Assistance: Greg Allen/Audrey Bilger, Dutch Cramblitt, Joy Graves, Lee Lodyga, Cheryl Pawelski, and Brad Rosenberger
Executive Producer: Ronald Bell
A PERFECT UNION
Once again, it is album release time for the band that set the standards and earned the trophies. A PERFECT UNION is a collection of new compositions showcasing the trademark sound that made Kool & the Gang an international household name. Performing for sandwiches and chips in 1964, they became a recording artist in 1969. Kool & the Gang transformed into a prolific force in the industry. They escalated in recognition through the decade of the 70s and became one of the baddest brand names in black music and culture. In the 80s, their ascension to the global mainstream firmly planted them in the American songbook of popular music. Their songs melodies, rhythms and lyrics had muscle and intelligence, never sounding like anyone else. September 9th, 2020 Kool & the Gang suffered the sudden loss of one of their founding members and longtime producer, Ronald KhaIis Bell. This album was done while Khalis was here, so his strength and tlavor are clearly heard, as George Brown, Kool and Dee Tee each provide the recipe for that mystical synergy. This album is a musical contribution of hope and joy during a difficult time for the world. Kool & The Gang unify to do what would heal. The legacy continues as we celebrate... A PERFECT UNION.
Cleveland Uhuru-Sasa Brown
The Koolzuem Archives
www.koolandthegang.com
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