To say that Kool & the Gang have been masters of their artwork by the early Eighties can be to understate their outstanding achievements in soul and funk, in a chart historical past that already amounted to a dozen years.
One thing Particular was the 1981 album that noticed the Jersey Metropolis collective increasing additional on their standing as one of many largest nationwide and worldwide R&B names. After the triumphs of 1979’s Girls Night time and Have fun! in 1980, it could additionally turn out to be their third US platinum album in a row, and one which added some new signature hits to their songbook.
The LP was launched by completely different singles on both aspect of the Atlantic. By now, Kool & the Gang had shaped a particular relationship with their UK followers, with 4 High 20 singles over the earlier two years, together with the High 10 hits that helped outline the disco period, “Ladies Night” and “Celebration.”
There, the lead single from One thing Particular was “Steppin’ Out,” which glided to No.12 whereas the band have been introducing their new materials within the US with “Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It).” That music was a pop High 20 entry Stateside however went all the way in which to No.1 on the R&B chart, their sixth of 9 such chart-toppers.
In the meantime, with “Steppin’ Out” nonetheless promoting effectively within the UK, public demand introduced the early launch of the music that will be the group’s subsequent dance anthem, “Get Down On It.” The irresistible floor-filler grew to become the most important British hit they ever had, reaching No.3 in January 1982.
By then, “Steppin’ Out” was about to turn out to be an American single. It repeated its No.12 UK peak on the R&B chart earlier than “Get Down On It” went to No.4 soul and No.10 pop, profitable gold certification. The belated UK launch of the R&B chart-topper “Take My Heart” was much less impactful, with a No.29 peak, however nonetheless, One thing Particular gave Kool & the Gang six stable months of singles success in each nations.
An actual group effort
Lead singer James “J.T.” Taylor and co-founder Ronald Bell, who handed away in September 2020, have been the primary writers on the album. It was once more overseen by eminent Brazilian jazz-dance producer-artist Eumir Deodato. However the entire group contributed as composers on an album whose highly effective singles have been supported by different feelgood dance tracks equivalent to “Good Time Tonight” and “Stand Up And Sing” and classy slowies like “Pass It On” and “No Show.”
The album itself, Kool & the Gang’s thirteenth studio launch, was their first to chart within the UK, with a No.10 peak and gold disc standing by the next spring. One thing particular certainly.
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