KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND, THE BEST OF (NETHERLANDS)
Release Date: 1996
CD Availability: Dutch import. Can sometimes be found at larger record stores, online, or on Ebay
Becky Rating: 10 Suns (out of 10)

DUTCH TREAT*

The Dutch know great art when they encounter it. The country that gave the world Van Gogh, Rembrandt, black-and-white rabbits, the first Europeans in New York, "Radar Love" and the Van Halens has also compiled the best KC and the Sunshine Band best-of that I have found anywhere. This, not the American greatest hits, is the KC compilation I put on when I want to hear some Sunshine music in the car or on my morning walk to work.

Any KCSB greatest hits release worth its price includes all of "the biggies:" the five U.S. pop Number 1 hits "Get Down Tonight," "That's The Way I Like It," "Shake Your Booty," "I'm Your Boogie Man" and "Please Don't Go;" the U.S. R&B Number 1 hit "Keep It Comin' Love;" and the Saturday Night Fever track "Boogie Shoes." All of these are present on the Dutch CD. The two early songs "Sound Your Funky Horn" and "Queen of Clubs" are included, along with the minor hit "I Like to Do It" and the album track "I'm So Crazy."

What makes this particular compilation so much better than the others, then? The addition of four tracks from Who Do Ya (Love). This is the only CD I've found which contains "Come To My Island." It also adds "It's The Same Old Song," "Do You Feel Alright," and "I Will Love You Tomorrow." The addition of the falsetto song "Let's Go Rock and Roll" somehow doesn't seem so intrusive as it does on the U.S. greatest hits.

There are only two minor criticisms, neither of which affect this CD's score of 10 out of 10 suns. Both "Do You Wanna Go Party" and the instrumental "Shotgun Shuffle," are not included - these are two favorites of mine. Also, the four Who Do Ya (Love) tracks suffer from some minor tape hiss, particularly "Do You Feel Alright." It sounds as if they were recorded directly from vinyl.

For the absolute best of the Sunshine Sound, try to find this Dutch import in a larger record store or online. Be sure to check the track listings for "Come To My Island." Both of your ears will thank you for it.

*My original title for this review was "Lust for Life," but I was afraid too many people would think it was something pornographic and wouldn't get what it refers to. (It's the title of a movie about Van Gogh starring Kirk Douglas and Anthony Quinn.)

(c) 2002 Becky Banfield for Dos Gardenias Productions