Wild and Peaceful (Kool & the Gang album)

Wild and Peaceful is the fourth studio album, and sixth album of new material released by the funk band Kool & the Gang, and is their commercial breakthrough album. It was released in 1973 and was hugely successful on the Billboard R&B chart, reaching No. 6 and charting for 36 weeks. It also reached No. 33 on the Pop charts, making it the band's first entry into that chart's Top 40. The album spawned the band's first three Top 10 singles. "Funky Stuff" reached No. 5 R&B/No. 29 Pop. The hugely popular track "Jungle Boogie" soared to No. 2 R&B and No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, and "Hollywood Swinging" topped the Billboard Hot Soul Singles in June 1974 while reaching No. 6 Pop. The latter two singles both sold over a million copies and were certified Gold by the RIAA. The album itself was also certified Gold.

Record World said the lead single "Funky Stuff" provides "funk & fun from the gang and includes lotsa percussion and whistles."

Personnel

 * Robert "Kool" Bell – bass, vocals
 * George "Funky" Brown – drums, percussion, vocals
 * Ricky West – electric piano, vocals
 * Clay Smith – lead guitar
 * Dennis "D.T." Thomas – alto saxophone, flute, congas, vocals
 * Ronald Bell – tenor and soprano saxophones, vocals
 * Robert "Spike" Mickens – trumpet, vocals


 * Additional personnel
 * Don Boyce – backing vocals (3)
 * Rory Bell – backing vocals (4)
 * Tomorrow’s Edition (Jerome Gourdine, Aaron Mathis and Wesley Thomas) – backing vocals (6)

Production

 * Produced and Arranged by Kool & The Gang
 * Engineers – Harvey Goldberg and Jeff Lesser
 * Recorded at MediaSound Studios (New York, NY).
 * Cover Artwork – Joseph Askew
 * Album Design – Richard Askew