Ah, bliss. If a casual acquaintance with Kool and the Gang only brings to mind a handful of Top 40 tunes since the 1970s ("Get Down on It," "Celebration," "Joanna," etc.) then
Live from House of Blues is here to broaden the record. In a thrilling display of R&B mastery, this army of horn players, vocalists, and captains of rhythm commandeers the Chicago stage, overwhelming everyone with relentless pop-funk, luscious soul, waves of jazz, and a dollop of hip-hop. Short on ballads, the Gang's set nevertheless is a stirring affair, with several instrumental tracks highlighting the group's orchestral majesty. But let there be no mistake. This show is a party, all right, and the many past and present members of the group who turn up to celebrate want to cherish the good times as much the crowd.
--Tom Keogh
