Approaching their 60th anniversary, the very active
Kool & the Gang
added to their extensive studio discography within two years of
Perfect Union
with
People Just Wanna Have Fun
. The band hadn't released albums in such close proximity since the '80s. Moreover, the release of the LP coincided with dates headlining the Hollywood Bowl as part of a lengthy tour hitting other amphitheaters and arenas. The set began to take shape five years earlier, and therefore contains some of the last recordings of
Ronald Bell
and
Dennis "D.T." Thomas
, founding horn players who died respectively in 2020 and 2021. They're heard (barely) on "Let's Party," a thumping opener that sneaks in a quote of
Bell
's synthesizer line from the classic "Summer Madness," and more obviously on the relaxed if still festive "We Are the Party." "99 Miles to JC," the sweet and smooth finale, contains a
solo and finds a place for a recording of trombonist
Clifford Adams
(who passed away in 2015). Although bassist
Robert "Kool" Bell
and drummer
George "Funky" Brown
remain the literal driving force, it's not always obvious that
is a
album. Its programmed dance beats and lead vocalists -- several more than present longtime singers
Walt Anderson
,
Shawn McQuiller
, and
Lavell Evans
-- are greater in number than those of
, and more strides to stay modern are taken with several rapped verses that include wholly unnecessary social media and brand references.
keeps the energy amiable throughout with a deliberate mix of body movers and romantic ballads. Most welcome are the fresh-sounding nods to the band's past -- such as the
James Brown
rhythmic foundation of "My Weakness" -- and any other song where the horns are given room to truly stretch. Those moments don't come along often enough. ~ Andy Kellman