To say that Kool & the Gang were masters of their art by the early 1980s would be to understate their remarkable achievements in soul and funk, in a chart history that already amounted to a dozen years.

Something Special was the 1981 album that saw the Jersey City collective expanding further on their status as one of the biggest national and international R&B names. After the triumphs of 1979’s Ladies Night and Celebrate! in 1980, it would also become their third US platinum album in a row, and one that added some new signature hits to their songbook.

The LP was introduced by different singles on either side of the Atlantic. By now, Kool & the Gang had formed a special relationship with their UK fans, with four Top 20 singles over the previous two years, including the Top 10 hits that helped define the disco era, “Ladies Night” and “Celebration.”