Description

Brit Soul-Funk legends Kokomo came together as musicians from previous groups Arrival and the Grease Band in 1973. Lead singer and keyboardist Tony OMalley had been in the Mick Cox Band for one album immediately post Arrival. There he was joined on backing vocals by Paddie McHugh, Frank Collins and Dyan Birch who by then were doing sessions together. Tony and drummer Terry Stannard started an open invitation session at The Pheasantry, Kings Road, London. A regular troupe began to perform consisting of the aforementioned musicians and singers plus Alan Spenner, Neil Hubbard and Jim Mullen, late of Joe Cockers Grease Band. Named after an Aretha Franklin song, First Snow In Kokomo, the band Kokomo were born. To Be Cool documents this period between late 1973 and 1974 when the band would perform regular sets of contemporary soul around London. Disc 1 captures the band recorded live in rehearsal; the songs are a collection of Bill Withers / Joe Tex / Allen Toussaint / Herbie Hancock / Bobby Womack numbers. The band, now a 10-piece, were – DYAN BIRCH : vocals /FRANK COLLINS : vocals /MEL COLLINS : sax/flutes / NEIL HUBBARD : guitar JODY LINSCOTT : percussion / PADDIE McHUGH : vocals /TONY OMALLEY : keyboards/vocals JIM MULLEN : guitar / ALAN SPENNER : bass/ vocals / TERRY STANNARD : drums The music is free-flowing soul/funk with experienced musicians brilliantly expressing themselves, free from any label constraints, yet still tight enough from playing the live scene. The songs also include It Aint Cool (To Be Cool No More), written by Frank Collins, which is still in the live set today. Disc 2 is the result of an extraordinary moment in January 1974 when an A&R man (Paul Phillips) decided to back his hunch and bring the band into Apple Studios to record a demo session. The five tracks here were ignored and the original tapes only recently rediscovered and are released here for the first time. Only the Carolyn Franklin song Angel was later re-recorded when the band eventually signed with CBS. Two bonus tracks have been included, also previously unreleased, recorded a decade later when Frank, Paddie and Dyan, fresh from backing Tom Robinson, were given studio time to record demos. These two Frank Collins originals were recorded with the help of Alan Darby from Cado Belle, and feature Paddies wonderfully soulful soprano vocals soaring above a Fame-like groove. The package is presented with a booklet containing a new essay by Austin Powell including fresh quotes from Frank Collins and Paul Phillips. Plus new-to-CD contemporary photos from Barry Plummer. Kokomo still perform live today, with shows booked in 2022. In addition, Tony OMalley performs live shows with his own backing band. TOTAL RUNNING TIME APPROX. 115 MINUTES TRACK LISTING DISC ONE 1. Friend Of Mine (Live Session) 2. It Aint Cool (To Be Cool No More) (Live Session) 3. A Mothers Prayer (Live Session) 4. Freedom For The Stallion (Live Session) 5. New Morning (Live Session) 6. Chameleon (Live Session) 7. Anytime (Live Session) 8. Yes, We Can Can (Live Session) 9. Angel (Live Session) 10. I Can Understand It (Live Session) 11. The First Snow In Kokomo (Reprise) (Live Session) DISC TWO 1. Lonely Town, Lonely Street (Demo) 2. Somebodys Watching You (Demo) 3. Sweet Home Chicago (Demo) 4. Angel (Demo) 5. Gonna Drown This Feeling (Demo) Bonus Tracks 6. Looking For Something Real (Demo) 7. Half Of What I Am (Demo)-