The 'Scientists of Sound' get down and boogie at Royal Paragon Hall on March 17
Music fans in Bangkok will "get down on it" when American jazz-soul outfit Kool & the Gang perform on March 17 at Royal Paragon Hall.
"Kool & the Gang are really striking when they play live," DJ Viroj Khwantham said at a press conference for the band's "Live in Bangkok" concert.
Singers Two Poptorn and Champ, who performed at the press conference in the Siam Paragon's Enigma theatre, agreed with the veteran DJ.
"The musicians have great teamwork," says Two Poptorn.
"I was born in 1981 and remember my father listening to Kool & the Gang's songs like 'Celebration', 'Cherish' and 'Joanna', says singer Ben Chalathit. "When I was a teen, I hunted around for their other CDs. The band has catchy bass lines and terrific rhythm."
Formed in New Jersey in 1964, Kool & the Gang, featuring brothers Robert "Kool" Bell on bass and Ronald Bell on tenor saxophone, George Brown on drums, Robert Mickens on trumpet, Dennis Thomas on alto sax, Claydes Charles Smith on guitar, and Rick Westfield on keyboards.
The band enjoyed success throughout the '70s, starting with a jazz sound and mixing it with soul, R&B and deep funk, eventually honing down to a smooth pop-funk.
They got into disco with "Open Sesame", featured on the "Saturday Night Live" soundtrack.
The big time hit in 1980 when their song "Celebration" crossed over to the pop charts and reached No 1. Other hits include "Ladies' Night", "Get Down on It", "Cherish" and "Jungle Boogie", which is heard on the soundtrack of the movie "Pulp Fiction".
They have sold more than 140 million albums worldwide.
"They're on an Asian tour and their Bangkok show features 25 artists and crew including a brass section," says Smitthi Bhiraleus, managing director of organiser Kiss Entertainment and general manager of MTV Thailand. "This year, the retro trend is stronger than ever. Lady Gaga's '80s pop has been a hit around the world and bands like Kool & The Gang are coming out on tour."
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-"Kool & the Gang Live in Bangkok" is at Royal Paragon Hall, Siam Paragon, on March 17 at 7.
- Tickets cost Bt900 to Bt2,500 at www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.
