The Weekly Column

The Pulse of Entertainment: Kool and the Gang Releases New Single ‘Pursuit of Happiness', with Music Video

(January 19, 2021) - "It's the last song my brother wrote...about world peace," said Robert "Kool" Bell (Kool and the Gang) about the group's new single "Pursuit of Happiness", co-written by the late Ronald Bell, who co-founded Kool and the Gang (1964) with his brother Robert. "It's to celebrate 40 years since the release of ‘Celebrate' and to celebrate 50 years of Kool and the Gang."

Ronald Bell co-wrote the single "Celebrate" that gave the Kool and the Gang their first #1 hit, solidifying their legacy in the music business. Since then other hits that have help make them living legends of that fresh distinct sound includes "Jungle Boogie," "Hollywood Swinging," "Ladies Night," "Get Down On It," and their #1 Pop single "Celebration." Their hits have been sampled by the best.

"I grew up in New Jersey," said Robert. "The group is from New Jersey though we kind of scattered. I have a place in Orlando...and another original member is in California."

The band started while Bell was in high school. The original members included brothers Robert (bass) and Ronald (keyboard) Bell, Robert Mickens (trumpet), Dennis Thomas (saxophone), Rick West (piano), George Brown (drums), and Charles Smith (guitar). James "J.T." Taylor came on as lead single in 1979. Kool's other brother Kevin Bell joined the band later on. They went on to sell 80 million "albums", which included 25 Billboard "Top 10 R&B" hits and nine Billboard "Top 10 Pop" hits. They garnered two Grammy Awards and seven American Music Awards. J.T. Taylor was a former teacher and nightclub singer before joining the band. He start a solo career in 1988 after leaving the group and his most memorable release is the infamous hit single "All I Want is Forever" featuring Regina Belle. Robert Bell did his solo thing too by launching his own brand of champagne (LeKoolChampagne.com).

"The video is of different things that are going on right now. Quotes by....Martin Luther King, Jr. ...Gandhi...Mandela," said Kool about the "Pursuit of Happiness" music video.

The single is from the upcoming new Kool and the Gang album titled "Perfect Union" (Omnivore Recordings). It is to be released sometime in 2021.

"We thank God for all the blessings," Robert Bell added. "My brother was key to ‘Celebration'. We, as a group, started in 1964 as a Jazz act called The Soul Tour Band. We backed a lot of groups...then as Soultown Review, like Motown Review. Then as Kool and the Flame...then changed it cause of James Brown and The Famous Flames...to Kool and the Gang." www.KoolandtheGang.com www.LeKoolChampagne.com

The Pulse of Entertainment: Erica Shaffer's on a Roll with Warner Bros, Bounce TV, Amazon Prime Projects

By Eunice Moseley

(January 15, 2021) - "Last year I shot so much stuff," actress Erica Shaffer said about the three 2020 projects - Warner Bros., Bounce TV and Amazon Prime - running in 2021. "We were shooting back to back in March (2020). Then we had to shut down. We finished this fall (2020). It was crazy...people being constantly tested."

The San Diego native's acting credits include "Days of Our Lives," "CSI: Miami" and "The Young and the Restless." But this artist is also a dancer, with credits that include The California Ballet Company. She is a member of SAG/AFTRA and AEA (Actor's Equity Association). She has also appeared on "S.W.A.T.", The Fugitive, "Hawaii Five-O," "Ghost Whisperer," and "Scandal."

Erica told of her on-site experiences during the pandemic, "On set we wore a mask the entire time until they said ‘action'. The crew was in face shields the whole time. That was the case in all the projects I worked on this fall."

The Bounce TV project, "Family Time," premiered the end of 2020 and also airs on Amazon Prime's Brown Sugar app which has African-American projects. "Family Time" also stars Angell Conwell ("Young and the Restless") and Omar Gooding (Barbershop), and is produced by Bentley Kyle Evans ("Martin," "Love That Girl"). The Amazon Prime project, "By Design," premiered end of 2020 as well. The Warner Bros. project, King Richard, also starring Academy Award winning Will Smith (Men in Black), arrives at theatres and streaming venues November 19, 2021.

"King Richard is in post-production to be released in 2021," she informed me and wanted the readers to, "Watch ‘Family Time' on Bounce TV or ‘By Design' on Amazon Prime. Bounce TV's (episode) is funny. I have a scene with Robin Allen (Lady of Rage) she is a rapper. She was incredible that day. My character has been in prison. ‘By Design' is a drama...about how life is never how it's portrayed. We are three good friends...it shows what's going on at home. It's a series that follows the lives of three women with three different backgrounds...who are middle age." www.EricaShaffer.com www.BounceTV.com www.Amazon.com/Prime www.WarnerBros.com

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, MS, MBA, MPhil has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENTS: "Uplifting Minds II" Entertainment Conference (ULMII), founded by Eunice in 1999, is into its 21st year. Next events are coming Baltimore Saturday April 17, 2021 at Security Square Mall via Zoom and Los Angeles Saturday November 6, 2021 at via Zoom. The ULMII event is a free entertainment conference offering an Business Management Panel Q&A Session, a Talent Showcase and Talent Competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) where aspiring artists have a chance to receive over $15,000 valued in prizes/product/services. Log onto www.UpliftingMinds2.com for more information or to RSVP.