In the Heart is the fifteenth studio album by the funk/R&B band Kool & the Gang, released on November 21, 1983. Four singles were released from the album, with two singles becoming major hits on the US Hot 100. The first single, "Straight Ahead", failed to chart on the Hot 100, but the second single, "Joanna", soared to number two on the charts in the US and UK, and hit number one on the US R&B chart as well. The third single, "Tonight", brought another major hit as it peaked at #13 on the US Hot 100. The fourth single "(When You Say You Love Somebody) In the Heart" did not chart on the Hot 100, but became a moderate hit on the US R&B chart.[3][4]

In the Heart
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 21, 1983
StudioHouse of Music (West Orange, New Jersey)
Genre
Length34:55
LabelDe-Lite
ProducerJim Bonnefond, Ronald Bell, Kool & the Gang
Kool & the Gang chronology
As One
(1982)
In the Heart
(1983)
Emergency
(1984)
Singles from In the Heart
  1. "Joanna"
    Released: December 17, 1983
  2. "Tonight"
    Released: January 1984
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Rolling Stone[2]

Track listing

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Side 1
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."In the Heart"James "J.T." Taylor, Ronald Bell, Kool & the Gang4:03
2."Joanna"Claydes Smith, Taylor, Kool & the Gang4:20
3."Tonight"Curtis Williams, Taylor, Kool & the Gang3:53
4."Rollin'"Taylor, Ronald Bell, Kool & the Gang3:10
5."Place for Us"Williams, Taylor, Kool & the Gang3:42
Side 2
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Straight Ahead"Taylor, Ronald Bell, Kool & the Gang3:31
2."Home Is Where the Heart Is"Ronald Bell, Kool & the Gang3:51
3."You Can Do It"Williams, Taylor, Ronald Bell, Kool & the Gang4:39
4."September Love"George Brown, Taylor, Kool & the Gang4:39

Personnel

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Kool & The Gang

Additional musicians

  • Rick Iantosca – guitars (2, 3, 7)
  • Brenden Harkin – guitars (3, 5, 9)
  • Leslie Reil – guitars (6)
  • Will Lee – bass (1, 6)
  • Jeff Davis – trumpet (6)
  • Greg Poree – string arrangements
  • Joe Malin – string contractor
  • Gene Orloff – concertmaster

Production

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  • Kool & The Gang – producers
  • Ronald Bell – producer, mixing
  • Jim Bonnefond – producer, chief engineer, mixing
  • Nelson Ayres – engineer
  • Cliff Hodsdon – engineer
  • Gabe Vigorito – mixing
  • Jose Rodriguez – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
  • Joe Gastwirt – CD mastering
  • Sydney Collier – cover concept
  • Y. Bell – cover concept
  • Don Lynn – back cover group photography
  • Ron Slenzak – cover phototography
  • Gerald Delet – management

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[5] Silver 60,000^
United States (RIAA)[6] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ Hanson, Amy. "Kool & the Gang: In the Heart" at AllMusic. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  2. ^ Somay, Errol (2 February 1984). "Kool & the Gang: In the Heart". Rolling Stone. No. RS 414. Straight Arrow. ISSN 0035-791X. Archived from the original on 2007-11-16.
  3. ^ "In the Heart > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles" at AllMusic. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  4. ^ "Kool and the Gang". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  5. ^ "British album certifications – Kool & the Gang – In the Heart". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  6. ^ "American album certifications – Kool & the Gang – In the Heart". Recording Industry Association of America.
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