Search - Gap Band :: Best of

Tasteful party-funk from the boys from Tulsa

MilesAndTrane | Chicago, Il USA | 08/05/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album serves as a fine introduction into the modest funk from the Brothers Wilson. The Gap Band are not a band interested in showcasing their musical acumen, but rather, they want to get you onto the dance floor. However, their musicianship is still considerably impressive. They very well may be the only funk band that didn't give into the synthesizer craze of the early 80's. There are keyboards littered throughout the album, but they are complimented by jazzy, James Brown guitar licks, funky percussion and horn arrangements just as tight as Earth, Wind & Fire or the Ohio Players. Charlie Wilson's deep-throat holler vocals rank up there with Teddy Pendergrass or anyone like him. Also, many of their jams which are featured of this greatest hits compilation, "Burn Rubber On Me", "I Don't Believe You Want To Get Up And Dance", fortunately extend themselves in length beyond the usual radio friendly 4 minutes. What a gift it is to start off the album with the seminal "Early In The Morning", one of their greatest compositions. Tracks like "You Can Count On Me" also showcase their delicate ballads, but tearing up the dance floor is still their mission here.How can any hard-core funk lovers resist this album when it closes with the quintessential early 80's classic "Party Train"? Alongside Barry White, the Gap Band also proves the potency that disco could of had. Your enjoyment with this album will certainly determine if the Gap Band are worth checking out on a larger scale."

"Outstanding" is not just a song title!

Reginald D. Garrard | Camilla, GA USA | 07/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When one purchases a compilation like "The Best of the Gap Band", one realizes how influential the 80's group was. Every major hit by the trio is represented here in its full-length glory. The order of songs is perfect for a party; for example, the first cut ("Early in the Morning" with its trademark "rooster call") starts the disc off and is followed by the mid-tempo "Shake" and the slower paced "Outstanding". The fire starts again as "Burn Rubber On Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me)" ignites the set and leads into the soothing "Yearning for Your Love". The chart-topping "You Dropped A Bomb on Me" and "I Don't Believe You Want to Get Up and Dance (Oops!)" are two other classics that remind the listener of why these guys ruled the dance floors during the decade.Along with Cameo, Parliament/Funkadelic, The Gap Band was the best at what they did: got folks and on the dance floor and kept them there!"

The Gap Band Are Mad Funky here

mistermaxxx@yahoo.com | usa | 03/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Talk about A Group that has Been Influential? Their Sound Has Been Sampled,Looped&Used for New Jack Swing among other R-N-B sounds over the Past 20 years.Charlie Wilson is One of The Most Influential Vocalists over The Last 25-30 years.these songs are still TIght to this day.such as Outstanding,Early in The Morning,Burn Rubber On Me (Why You wanna Hurt Me),Your Dropped a Bomb on Me,Steppin'Out,Party Train,&The Classic Slow Jam Yearning For Your Love.This is a Must."