Kool and the Gang - Still Kool

Along with the cookie cutter mass market pop faire heard on the airwaves today one can still hear songs from previous eras. Among the bands who have returned after many years of absence are those who though older have never stopped making music, one such band is Kool and the Gang. Robert "Kool" Bell and his brother Ronald have been making music since 1964 under various names. Originally called The Jazziacs and later Kool and the Flames, it was a mix up with a club owner that dubbed the band Kool and the Gang. Four decades later a majority of the band's original members are still with the group.

The Grammy winning band first broke onto the hit scene with "Celebration" in 1979. Since then the band has amassed seven gold and platinum albums. And now Kool and the Gang has released a new album "Still Kool". The album is a two disc affair with one CD containing 17 new songs while the other CD holds five of the band's classic hits including the break out song "Celebration".

The new material is the typical Kool and the Gang style of mixing genres. While there are a few songs with beautiful music, the sound heard in hits like "Celebration" and "Ladies Night" is still there. This time around Kool and the Gang have added spiritual feel to some of their songs. But like a fine wine Kool and the Gang have improved with age and in the process have shown shy some of the younger generation are turning to the older bands when music meant something different from what it does today.

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Shlomo Artzi - Shfuim (Sane)
A perfect example of why music is a universal language, Israeli folk artist Shlomo Artzi.

Shlomo was born on a Kibbutz in Israel in 1949 to parents who had survived the recent Holocaust. Shlomo began playing guitar at age 12 and writing music at 16. His songs are about love, life, and the small things; dance as a symbol for life and vitality are frequent themes in his music.

Arzti is known for his very popular marathon performances which last over three hours long. This multi platinum selling artist has sold more albums than any artist in Israel.

This Dylanesque folk singers music is nothing like the tradition song "Hava Nagila" that most people associate with Israel or "Jewish music" and on his latest album – the first in five years – "Shfuim" (meaning Sane) it is easy to see why he is such a popular artist. A talented performer Artzi's music is unforgettable, it has a tendency to stick in your head.

The music of Shlomo Artzi is a perfect example of where understanding of the lyrics is not required; only an appreciation for his voice and the multi layered music that reaches down into your soul.