George Brown (January 15, 1949 – November 16, 2023) – Mother Earth (1975)
George Brown (January 15, 1949 – November 16, 2023) – Mother Earth (1975)
One of Kool & the Gang's little known masterpieces, Brown co-wrote and arranged this very funky message song off their 1975 LP Spirit Of The Boogie.
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George Melvin “Funky” Brown is the drummer for Kool & the Gang and one of the original members of the band. As a songwriter, his most well-known song is their mega-hit “Ladies Night.”
Kool & the Gang first formed in 1964 in Jersey City, NJ when all its members were in their teens. Initially known as The Jazziacs, the band’s core was bassist Robert “Kool” Bell and his younger brother, saxophonist & keyboardist Ronald Bell. The rest of the original lineup included Brown, lead guitarist Claydes “Charles” Smith, saxophonist & keyboardist Dennis "D.T." Thomas, trumpet player Robert "Spike" Mickens, and keyboardist Richard Westfield aka Ricky West.
They played jazz in clubs around the New York area during the mid to late sixties and underwent several name changes. All the while their sound was evolving into funkier territory. In 1969 they released their self-titled debut album on De-Lite Records. Two years later in 1971, their Live At The Sex Machine LP reached #6 on the R&B charts and helped raise their national profile.
The band’s big breakthrough came in 1973 with the release of their fourth studio LP, Wild And Peaceful. It contained three hit singles, “Hollywood Swinging,” “Jungle Boogie,” and “Funky Stuff.” All of them were top-5 R&B and crossed over to the pop charts, ensuring the album went gold.
In 1975 they released Spirit Of The Boogie, their sixth studio album. Its title track topped the R&B charts, helped in no small measure by its stunning B-side “Summer Madness,” which had initially appeared on the Light of Worlds LP in 1974. The Spirit Of The Boogie album itself was a #5 R&B hit.
Side two opened with one of Kool & the Gang's little known masterpieces, the very funky message song “Mother Earth.” Brown arranged and co-wrote it with Ronald Bell (although, as with most of their songs, the entire band were also credited as co-writers). He also played piano. Robert and Ronald’s younger brother Kevin Bell of the Kay-Gees appeared on guitar as a guest musician, with background vocals credited to Something Sweet.
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