Kool & the Gang: Videology

An optional "trivia track" subtitle feature on Kool & the Gang's Videology provides a wealth of historical detail and band-related trivia, including the fact that in the U.S., Kool & the Gang have sold as many albums as the Beatles. The pop/funk band's phenomenal success is celebrated in this compilation of 24 videos spanning the group's reign from 1973 to 1987, a period that produced 25 top-10 hits (not all of which are represented here), including signature songs such as "Celebration," “Jungle Boogie,” and “Ladies Night.” Arranged chronologically with a viewer "playlist" option, the DVD serves a dual purpose as both an audiovisual history of Kool & the Gang's anthology (which included many songs about hope and togetherness) and a fascinating (and sometimes quaintly amusing) survey of the evolution of music videos in general. Since most of these clips hail from the pre-MTV era, they consist primarily of filmed performances, but the later entries transition into the modern music video. Kool & the Gang's most devoted fans will notice a couple glaring omissions (such as "Funky Stuff" and "Rhyme Time People"—presumably some hits never had accompanying videos), but it's a safe bet that few will be disappointed by this DVD, which also features four live performance clips from the vintage '70s TV show Don Kirshner's Rock Concert. DVD extras include band interviews and the complete nine-minute short-film version of the hit song "Misled." Recommended. Aud: P. (J. Shannon)