Kool & The Gang - The Funk Collection (2002)

Funk Collection seems like a silly title for a Kool & the Gang compilation -- it's about as silly as titling a Marvin Gaye compilation Soul Collection -- but it does help signify that it covers the group's pre-pop crossover phase. This, like so many other sets, demonstrates how they were more artistically successful during this era, despite not being regulars on the pop chart. With rare exception, each selection has appeared on at least a couple other anthologies. The disc scores points for including the obvious tracks ("Jungle Boogie," "Summer Madness," "Hollywood Swinging," "Funky Stuff") as well as a well-picked batch of album cuts. All things considered, it's rather interchangeable with no less than six other discs that cover the same ground.