"Big Fun" by Kool & the Gang

Song#:  1162
Date:  08/28/1982
Debut:  73
Peak:  21
Weeks:  11
Genre:  R&B



Pop Bits:  The band's previous album was another significant platinum hit thanks to the #1 R&B (#17 pop) single "Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It)." Their next album, "As One," didn't start off as well with this first single peaking just outside of the Top 20 at pop while only reaching #6 at R&B. The LP reached #5 at R&B and only went gold, which was a bit of a drop off since their previous three albums hit #1 or #2 and went platinum. The album would be their fourth and last collaboration with producer Eumir Deodato.

ReduxReview:  To me, this just sounds like an attempt to recapture "Celebration." The problem is that it doesn't even come close to that classic. It's not a bad listen, but it's not big fun. Maybe a little fun. Or slight fun? It's really the song that closed the Deodato post-disco chapter for the group. They would move on to a different style and sound on their next LP.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Robert and Ronald Bell, brothers and co-founders of Kool & the Gang, had a younger brother, Kevin, who was also pursuing music. After Kool & the Gang started having success in the early 70s, Robert started to develop another offshoot group that he would produced called The Kay-Gees (I believe for the K and G in Kool & the Gang). Kevin would be a member of The Kay-Gees. The new band would issue their debut album in 1974, but they never really broke wide. However, over the course of four albums they did manage to put several low-level singles on the R&B chart.

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