Kool and the Gang is the self-titled first album by the funk band Kool and the Gang. The album was released in 1969, and charted on the Billboard R&B album chart at #43.

Track Listing

Personnel

• Dennis "D.T." Thomas: Alto Saxophone
  Alto saxophone
  The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in 1841. It is smaller than the tenor but larger than the soprano, and is the type most used in classical compositions...
  
  , Flute
  Flute
  The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
  
  , Percussion, Vocals
• Khalis Bayyan: Tenor & Soprano Sax, Alto Flute, Vocals
• Robert "Spike" Mickens: Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Vocals
• Claydes Smith, Woody Sparrow: Rhythm & Lead Guitars
• Ricky West: Keyboards, Piano, Vocals
• Robert "Kool" Bell: Bass, Vocals
• George "Funky" Brown: Drums, Percussion, Vocals

Singles

• "Kool & The Gang"/"Raw Hamburger" (#19 R&B/#59 pop)
• "The Gang's Back Again"/"Kool's Back Again" (#37/#85)
• "Let the Music Take Your Mind"/"Chocolate Buttermilk" (#19/#78)

Samples

Although this album generated little impact when it was released, it is often regarded as a funk classic by record collectors, and has gone on to be sampled countless times by hiphop producers:

• "Give it Up" (Drums)
  • Amerie
    Amerie
    Amerie Mi Marie Rogers , known professionally as Amerie or Ameriie, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She debuted in 2002 with the album All I Have, primarily co-written and produced by Rich Harrison, and was well-received in the urban market...
    
     - "Hate 2 Love U"
  • A Tribe Called Quest
    A Tribe Called Quest
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     - "Scenario"
  • Beastie Boys
    Beastie Boys
    Beastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
    
     - "Professor Booty"
  • Chad Jackson - "Hear the Drummer (Get Wicked)"
  • Compton's Most Wanted - "Compton 4 Life"
  • Cypress Hill
    Cypress Hill
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     - "The Phuncky Feel One"
  • Deee-Lite
    Deee-Lite
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     - "Deee-Lite Theme"
  • Eric B and Rakim - "Don't Sweat the Technique"
  • GangStarr - "Take a Rest"
  • Greg Osby - "3-D Lifestyles"
  • Lionrock - "Morning Will Come When I'm Not Ready"
  • MC Brains - "Everybody's Talkin' about MC Brains"
  • NWA - "Real Niggaz"
  • Organized Konfusion - "Intro"
  • Uptown - "Dope on Plastic"
  • X-Clan - "Shaft's Big Score"

• "Chocolate Buttermilk"
  • Chad Jackson - "Hear the Drummer (Get Wicked)"
  • Chubb Rock - "The Night Scene"
  • Eric B and Rakim - "Keep 'em Eager to Listen"
  • Eric B and Rakim - "No Omega"
  • Heavy D - "Let it Flow"
  • Marley Marl - "Simon Says"
  • Masta Ace - "Simon Says"
  • Pete Rock & CL Smooth
    Pete Rock & CL Smooth
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     - "Straighten it Out"
  • Special Ed - "Ready 2 Attack"
  • SL2 - "On A Ragga Tip"
  • Stetsasonic - "The Hip Hop Band"
  • Style - "Set the Mood"
  • YBT - "Proud to Be Black"

• "Let the Music Take Your Mind"
  • Beastie Boys - "Lay it on Me"
  • Boss - "Process of Elimination"
  • Ice Cube - "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted"
  • Ice T - "Freedom of Speech"
  • Jungle Brothers - "What's Going On?"
  • Ultramagnetic MCs - "MC Champion"

• "Breeze & Soul"
  • Dr. Octagon - "Bear Witness"
  • Jimmy Jay - "Les Cool Session"

• "Sea of Tranquility"
  • D'Angelo
    D'Angelo
    Michael Eugene Archer , better known by his stage name D'Angelo, is an American R&B and neo soul singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He is known for his production and songwriting talents as much as for his vocal abilities, and often draws comparisons to his influences,...
    
     - "Send It On
    Send It On
    "Send It On" is a song by American R&B and neo soul musician D'Angelo, released March 25, 2000 on Virgin Records. It was issued as a radio single in promotion of his second studio album Voodoo . The song was written by D'Angelo, his brother Luther Archer and R&B singer Angie Stone...
    
    "