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6 Degrees Entertainment

Title - 'Emergency - 2CD Deluxe Edition'
Artist - Kool & The Gang

If The Pointer Sisters shaped themselves to be a successful all-female black crossover pop band of the 80s then Kool & the Gang certainly proved to be the most enduring all-male counterpart to this. Originally formed as a jazz band in the early 60's (then adopting the Jazziacs moniker), they would reinvent themselves via funk in the 70's and once again in the 80's with relentlessly feel-good pop-soul.

Continuing on from a decade-long reign on the charts, Kool & the Gang released their sixteenth studio LP, 1984’s Emergency (R&B #3/Pop #13/UK #47), and continued their trend of unashamedly feel-good soulful pop music, resulting in a double-platinum album which would turn out to be the biggest international seller of their career.

Indeed, with the album becoming the band's biggest selling album, going double platinum in America, platinum in Canada, and silver in the UK, the singles that were released from it all still stick in our heads and hearts today! Songs such as "Fresh" (US #9, UK# 11), "Misled" (US #10, UK #28), "Cherish" (US #2, UK #4), and the title track itself "Emergency" (US #18), are all hit singles that when played today, still manage to evoke great memories of a bygone disco era.

DISC ONE: 1. EMERGENCY 2. FRESH 3. MISLED 4. CHERISH 5. SURRENDER 6. BAD WOMAN 7. YOU ARE THE ONE BONUS TRACKS 8. FRESH (SINGLE VERSION) 9. MISLED (SINGLE VERSION) 10. CHERISH (SINGLE VERSION) 11. EMERGENCY (SINGLE VERSION) 12. YOU ARE THE ONE (SINGLE VERSION)

DISC TWO: 1. FRESH (LONG VERSION) 2. MISLED (REMIXED VERSION) 3. EMERGENCY (EXTENDED REMIX) 4. CHERISH (REMIX) 5. THE THROWDOWN MIX (HITS MEDLEY) A1 GET DOWN ON IT A2 LADIES NIGHT A3 FRESH A4 BIG FUN A5 STRAIGHT AHEAD A6 CELEBRATION A7 MISLED (INTRO) A8 EMERGENCY 6. FRESH/MISLED (SPECIAL MIX) 7. EMERGENCY (SPECIAL DANCE MIX) 8. CHERISH (INSTRUMENTAL) 9. FRESH (DANCE MIX) 10. EMERGENCY (REMIX) 11. EMERGENCY (DUB VERSION)

The album kicks off in original style with the only seven tracks that were included, and so we get the stop-n-go title track, 'Emergency' up first, which is backed by the trio of other hit singles, 'Fresh,' 'Misled,' and then the love song slow down of 'Cherish.' The album tracks that follow are the ballad pairing of 'Surrender' and 'Bad Woman,' and the original album closer, the poppy vibes of 'You Are The One.'

Rounding out the first disc of two in this Deluxe Edition we get Single Versions of all the hit singles, plus one of 'You Are The One.' In truth, the only difference in sound is the fact that the album tracks are longer, these "Single Versions" just that - built for radio play, and minus a few minutes. Especially the latter track, 'You are The One,' that has an album run time of 7:02, but a Single Version run time of just 3:50.

The second disc begins with four 12" Remixes, which are always a lot of fun to listen to, especially with regard funky / poppy disco songs such as these. We start with 'Fresh,' then get 'Misled,' before both 'Emergency' (12" Extended Remix, at that), and 'Cherish' are brought forth. And as much as they repeat a lot of what has gone successfully before in the Single Versions, the fact that even at 8 minutes a pop, you don't want them to ever end, is a HUGE show of love for Kool & The Gang.

I still love the iconic 'Ladies Night' vibe, that couldn't be on this album, of course, but that said, these tracks do have their own life attached to them, that's for sure. We then get a Hits Medley known here as 'The Throwdown Mix,' which does actually sample some of 'Ladies Night,' funnily enough, and then both a 12" Special Mix of 'Fresh / Misled' before one of the best cuts, for me, a 12" Alternative Dance mix of 'Emergency.'

This new compilation of Emergency songs, all complete with driving beats, funky rhythms, great, feelgood lyrics, and loads of energy continues onward with a Saxophone Edition of 'Cherish,' a 12" Dance Mix of 'Fresh,' and then comes to a close with both 'Emergency' (12" Remix), and 'Emergency' (12" Dub Mix).'

Out now for all to own, Cherry Red's very own in-house label BBR are thrilled to present this 2CD deluxe edition of Emergency in a newly remastered and repackaged digipak edition with added bonus content and brand new interviews.

'Emergency - 2CD Deluxe Edition' CD Purchase Link

www.KoolAndTheGang.com

www.cherryred.co.uk





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