Search - Kay-Gees :: Master Plan: Complete Recordings 1974-78

Mandatory Funk Listening !

Eddie Landsberg | Tokyo, Japan | 01/14/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"o.k. I'll be honest... Really "BUMPING AND MASTERPLAN" is the KAY GEES must have album...

for years, the sampling DJ's MUST HAVE secret weapon, the album was unique in that it combined the hard edge funk of the group's mentors KOOL AND THE GANG (circa JUNGLE BOOGIE, not the corny '80s) with TIGHT PRODUCTION (I mean tight, tight, tight... ) - - however... not sacrificing the fact that these were hardcore Jersey City high school kids... and based on the sound... straight from the streets...

- - Trust me... I can't emphasize enough how that album is the most perfect example of HARD/IN YOUR FACE funk, but mixed with cutting edge engineering and production... (actually that's what stands out more than anything in my mind... the mix of hard edge funk, yet TIGHT virtually unbeatable production - - a quality also found in the KOOL AND THE GANG recordings of that time.)



Then came the KAY GEES other albums... they weren't bad, in fact VERY VERY GOOD... but to be honest, I'd call them "recommended listening" as opposed to "completely totally absolutely-no funk collection complete without" must haves" - - All this said, however, I REALLY like this compilation... 2 disks full of the best of the KAY GEES (including Master Plan) - - and every track even better than the next.



So the question arises... why didn't this group rise to the level of fame as their mentors ? Heaven knows - - maybe people are stupid... whatever... do not consider your funk collection incomplete without this CD... To have it all in one package is a REALLY good deal, and I can tell you this: I first heart BUMPIN' + MASTERPLAN over 20 years ago... and let me tell you... it blew me away then, and when I listen to it now, I still get the same reaction... (The words to MASTERPLAN in fact play themselves over and over and over in my head at times!) - - and for this reason, the KAY GEES have my top of the list respect... - - If you've been reading my reviews and following my tips, trust me on this one... grab this CD before it goes out of print!"