Type and hit ENTER

Commonly used tags...

Brighton Festival Brighton Fringe Brighton Pride British Sea Power Cinecity Lewes Psychedelic Festival Locally Sourced Lost & Found Love Supreme Festival Nick Cave Poets Vs MCs Politics Rag'n'Bone Man Record Store Day Save Our Venues Six Of The Best Source Virgins Streets Of Brighton Street Source Tattoos The Great Escape Tru Thoughts Unsung Heroes
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Advertise
  • Home
  • News
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Food
  • Tickets
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Advertise
Kool and the gang - dome-brighton source - ashley laurence - time for heroes photography
Kool and the gang - dome-brighton source - ashley laurence - time for heroes photography
Kool and the gang - dome-brighton source - ashley laurence - time for heroes photography
Kool and the gang - dome-brighton source - ashley laurence - time for heroes photography
Kool and the gang - dome-brighton source - ashley laurence - time for heroes photography
Kool and the gang - dome-brighton source - ashley laurence - time for heroes photography
Kool and the gang - dome-brighton source - ashley laurence - time for heroes photography
Kool and the gang - dome-brighton source - ashley laurence - time for heroes photography
Kool and the gang - dome-brighton source - ashley laurence - time for heroes photography
Kool and the gang - dome-brighton source - ashley laurence - time for heroes photography
Kool and the gang - dome-brighton source - ashley laurence - time for heroes photography
Reviews

Kool & The Gang Review

Jun 17, 2017
-
Posted by Steve Clements

The Dome was packed and full of anticipation when Robert ‘Kool’ Bell, the man who formed the band in New Jersey back in the late 60s, strode out in a red lamé suit. As the crowd cheered he was followed by the latest version of the ‘Gang’ clad in silver and gold.

No time was wasted as they started up with ‘Fresh’ which came with tight choreography and sweet harmonies and was followed by a trio of hits from their early 80s disco heyday. Lead vocalist JT Taylor has been replaced by a trio of singers, including Shawn McQuiller who doubled on guitar and worked up the crowd as he danced across the stage, in shades, during ‘Too Hot’.

Kool and the gang - dome-brighton source - ashley laurence - time for heroes photography

These songs sounded so much better than remembered from cheesy club nights and McQuiller introducing ‘Joanna’ as being “for all the ladies” was a genuine dedication for a classic ballad that had us swaying as Jermaine Byron’s trombone took a romantic solo.

The funk fans’ turn came with a triple threat attack of sax, trombone and trumpet blasting out ‘Funky Stuff’ over Kool’s heavy bass lines. Long-serving trumpeter Michael Ray broke off to strut his own funky stuff, despite turning 65 next birthday. He even turned cartwheels during ‘Jungle Boogie’ which, hearing it live and in full, outside of its Pulp Fiction association, was like welcoming back on old friend.

Kool and the gang - dome-brighton source - ashley laurence - time for heroes photography

‘Hollywood Swinging’ and ‘Open Sesame’ proved that this band could easily hold their own against Earth, Wind & Fire and The JBs, with their unique, near discordant brass blasts. The 70s section of the show ended with Curtis Williams’ instantly recognisable synth intro to ‘Summer Madness’, performed by the core of the band as the brass section refreshed themselves.

The rest of the show was a full-on party set with new song ‘Sexy’ borrowing from all areas of their repertoire, standing its ground amongst floor-fillers ‘Ladies Night’ and ‘Get Down On It’; the band proving themselves to be the perfect soul machine. The show ended on a high with the pure joy of ‘Celebration’ that perfectly sums up the night for performers and audience alike.

Kool and the gang - dome-brighton source - ashley laurence - time for heroes photography

Brighton Dome, Wednesday 14th June 2017
Words by Steve Clements
Photos by Ashley Laurence

Jun 17, 2017
Email
Steve Clements
Steve has been a SOURCE contributor since Summer 2010 and has also written for Latest 7 magazine. He moved to Brighton in 2006 after working in London at the Royal Albert Hall, Our Price Music and Teletext. Favourite quote - "There's no such thing as a sold out gig".
← PREVIOUS POST
Week Four of Brighton Festival and Fringe 2017
NEXT POST →
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard Review
Mailing List

Recent Posts
  • Two Decades Of Funk Fire With Jalapeno Records
    Jan 18, 2021

    A new compilation celebrates 20 years of funk and soul from world-renowned Brighton label Jalapeno Records.

  • Hansel and Gretel? | Brighton Source
    Hansel and Gretel? Review
    Dec 18, 2020

    A postmodern pantomime with an unrelaible narrator. Outdoors with comedy, dance, camp actors, plenty of fun. On two levels: laughs for kids and jokes for adults

  • Artists Open Houses 2020
    Dec 5, 2020

    After cancelling the May edition, Artists Open Houses tell us what it's like to be back with a December festival that is open to visitors in person for eight days.

  • Cinecity 2020 previewed by Brighton Source
    Cinecity 2020
    Nov 17, 2020

    From the North Laine to Mongolia, Cinecity's lineup is typically eclectic and original this year - catch it before the city's key film festival ends.

  • Macbeth Review
    Nov 2, 2020

    Macbeth in Brighton. One-act play with Scottish Gaelic sounds by This Is My Theatre. Power, ambition, murder, blood. The woods are moving.

  • Lost & Found: Poison Girls
    Nov 2, 2020

    As part of our retrospective series on local bands we look back at the hugely influential and ever-challenging anarcho-punk collective Poison Girls.

  • The Rose Hill | Brighton Source
    Save Our Venues – The Rose Hill
    Oct 26, 2020

    We spoke to the team at the Rose Hill to find out how a series of new creative projects is helping this unique Brighton venue to cope with the current crisis.

  • Spillage! Review
    Oct 19, 2020

    This one-person, one-act play is giddy, funny and seriously entertaining. An odyssey through the madness of corporate pressure on our mental health.

Website developed in Brighton by Infobo
Copyright © Brighton Source 2009-2020
Kool & The Gang Review - Brighton Source