In the Heart

In the Heart is the fifteenth studio album by the funk/R&B band Kool & the Gang, released on November 21, 1983. Four singles were released from the album, with two singles becoming major hits on the US Hot 100. The first single, "Straight Ahead", failed to chart on the Hot 100, but the second single, "Joanna", soared to number two on the charts in the US and UK, and hit number one on the US R&B chart as well. The third single, "Tonight", brought another major hit as it peaked at #13 on the US Hot 100. The fourth single "(When You Say You Love Somebody) In the Heart" did not chart on the Hot 100, but became a moderate hit on the US R&B chart.

Personnel
Kool & The Gang
 * James "J.T." Taylor – lead vocals, backing vocals
 * Curtis "Fitz" Williams – keyboards, Memorymoog, Minimoog, Oberheim OB-X, alto saxophone, backing vocals
 * Ronald "Khalis" Bell – Oberheim OB-X, tenor saxophone, backing vocals
 * Claydes Charles Smith – guitars
 * Robert "Kool" Bell – bass
 * George Brown – drums
 * Dennis "Dee Tee" Thomas – alto saxophone
 * Clifford Adams – trombone, backing vocals
 * Robert "Spike" Mickens – trumpet
 * Michael Ray – trumpet
 * Kool & The Gang – horn arrangements

Additional musicians
 * Rick Iantosca – guitars (2, 3, 7)
 * Brenden Harkin – guitars (3, 5, 9)
 * Leslie Reil – guitars (6)
 * Will Lee – bass (1, 6)
 * Jeff Davis – trumpet (6)
 * Greg Poree – string arrangements
 * Joe Malin – string contractor
 * Gene Orloff – concertmaster

Production

 * Kool & The Gang – producers
 * Ronald Bell – producer, mixing
 * Jim Bonnefond – producer, chief engineer, mixing
 * Nelson Ayres – engineer
 * Cliff Hodsdon – engineer
 * Gabe Vigorito – mixing
 * Jose Rodriguez – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
 * Joe Gastwirt – CD mastering
 * Sydney Collier – cover concept
 * Y. Bell – cover concept
 * Don Lynn – back cover group photography
 * Ron Slenzak – cover phototography
 * Gerald Delet – management