KC & the Sunshine Band Albums (6)
'Get Down Tonight: Greatest Hits Live'
Release Date 7/1/2003
Tracks 17
Label Varese
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Compiling recordings from KC & the Sunshine Band's 1993 and 1994 tours, Get Down Tonight: Greatest Hits Live makes for decent souvenir of the constantly touring band's show. KC's voice seems a little thinner than in its heyday, but the enthusiasm and his good-humored attitude make up for it. There are quite a few covers that would have worked better in a crowded and sunny amphitheater, but zealous versions of all the hits that helped sell 75 million records are included. The early-'90s version of the Sunshine Band features a punchy horn section and an especially energetic set of background singers that make it seem like the '70s all over again (KC and percussionist Fermin Goytisolo are the only original members). Skip the misguided James Brown medley, enjoy the fine performance of Barbara Mason's "Yes I'm Ready," and be glad that KC can still deliver his hook-filled numbers with enthusiasm and plenty of charisma. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Compiling recordings from KC & the Sunshine Band's 1993 and 1994 tours, Get Down Tonight: Greatest Hits Live makes for decent souvenir of the constantly touring band's show. KC's voice seems a little thinner than in its heyday, but the enthusiasm and his good-humored attitude make up for it. There are quite a few covers that would have worked better in a crowded and sunny amphitheater, but zealous versions of all the hits that helped sell 75 million records are included. The early-'90s version of the Sunshine Band features a punchy horn section and an especially energetic set of background singers that make it seem like the '70s all over again (KC and percussionist Fermin Goytisolo are the only original members). Skip the misguided James Brown medley, enjoy the fine performance of Barbara Mason's "Yes I'm Ready," and be glad that KC can still deliver his hook-filled numbers with enthusiasm and plenty of charisma. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
After burning up the pop and R&B charts in 1975, 1976, and 1977, KC & the Sunshine Band were disappointed when 1978's decent, if unremarkable, Who Do Ya Love failed to provide any major hits. But 1979 turned out to be a better year for the South Florida disco/funk/soul band, who returned to the top of the singles charts that year. Released in 1979, Do You Wanna Go Party boasts two major singles: the infectious title track song (a number eight R&B hit) and the ballad "Please Don't Go," which soared to number one on Billboard's pop singles chart. Other noteworthy tracks on this good to excellent LP include the Latin-tinged "Hooked on Your Love," the Motown-drenched "Ooh, I Like It," and a cover of Frederick Knight's "I Betcha Didn't Know That." Meanwhile, "Que Pasa" is catchy even if it does sound like KC is trying to recycle "Wrap Your Arms Around Me" or "That's the Way (I Like It)." Do You Wanna Go Party isn't quite in a class with 1975's KC & the Sunshine Band or 1976's Part 3, but the album is impressive more often than not and is a definite improvement over Who Do Ya Love. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Many Americans think that 1975's KC & the Sunshine Band was the disco/funk/soul outfit's first album. After all, it was that self-titled release that boasted the hits "Get Down Tonight" and "That's The Way (I Like It)," both of which soared to number one on Billboard's R&B and pop singles charts and made Harry Wayne Casey, aka KC, a superstar in the United States. But, in fact, KC & the Sunshine Band was their third album. Before that, they provided two LPs that were better known in England than they were in the U.S.: 1974's Do It Good (their debut album) and 1975's instrumental The Sound of Sunshine. KC doesn't sing at all on this LP, which he produced and arranged with partner Richard Finch. But even without KC's distinctive vocals, his band is easily recognizable on exuberant offerings like "Sunshine City," "S.O.S.," and "Funky '75" (which is an instrumental version of the 1973 single "Sound Your Funky Horn"). Other noteworthy tracks include the single "Shotgun Shuffle" (which made it to number 25 on Billboard's R&B singles chart) and a remake of the George McCrae smash "Rock Your Baby" (which KC and Finch wrote for that one-hit wonder in 1974). The Sound of Sunshine isn't among KC & the Sunshine Band's essential releases, but it's a decent record that's worth hearing if you're a serious disco-funk collector. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Over the years, there have been many American artists who became well-known in England before becoming well-known in their own country. A perfect example is KC & the Sunshine Band, whose first album, Do It Good, was a major hit in Great Britain but only a minor hit in the United States. It wasn't until the 1975 smashes "Get Down Tonight" and "That's the Way (I Like It)" that KC & the Sunshine Band enjoyed a major commercial breakthrough in their own country; in England, they hit big in 1973 with "Sound Your Funky Horn." This LP contains all of the exuberant singles that put them on the map in the U.K., including "Sound Your Funky Horn," "Blow Your Whistle," "I'm a Pushover," and "Queen of Clubs" (which made it to number 25 on Billboard's R&B singles chart but was a Top Ten hit in England). You won't hear a lot of sociopolitical commentary on Do It Good, although R&B message songs were still quite popular when this album was recorded in 1973 and 1974. Unlike Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, and Marvin Gaye, KC & the Sunshine Band was never about trying to save the world -- this promising debut made it clear that their forte was pure, unapologetic, escapist party music. Do It Good isn't quite as essential as subsequent efforts like 1975's KC & the Sunshine Band or 1976's Part 2, but the record is exciting more often than not and is easily recommended to disco and funk enthusiasts. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
