50年以上のキャリアを誇る不朽のソウル・アイコン、Kool & The Gangが34作目となるスタジオアルバムをリリース!

1964年結成、1969年にレコードデビュー。それから50年以上に渡りヒット曲を世に放ち続けているソウル・ファンクグループ。「Celebration」「Jungle Boogie」「Ladies Night」など、誰もが知るようなヒット曲を生み出し、受賞/ノミネートした音楽賞は数知れず。
2020年にバンド創設メンバーであるロナルド・ベルが、また翌2021年にもオリジナルメンバーのデニス・トーマスが逝去し、グループにとって大きな喪失があったが、悲しみに止まることなく2021年8月に前作『PERFECT UNION』を発表。それから約2年、34作目となるスタジオアルバム『People Just Wanna Have Fun』をリリース。プロデューサーはドラムを務めるジョージ・ブラウン。

発売・販売元 提供資料 （2023/05/25）

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 hadnt 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. Theyre heard (barely) on "Lets Party," a thumping opener that sneaks in a quote of Bells 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 Bell 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, its not always obvious that People Just Wanna Have Fun is a Kool & the Gang 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 Perfect Union, and more strides to stay modern are taken with several rapped verses that include social media and brand references. People Just Wanna Have Fun keeps the energy amiable throughout with a deliberate mix of body movers and romantic ballads. Most welcome are the fresh-sounding nods to the bands past -- such as the James Brown rhythmic foundation of "My Weakness" -- and any other song where the horns are given room to truly stretch. ~ Andy Kellman

Rovi