The veteran New York-based foursome Cooly's Hot Box, which has released a handful of dance singles, liberally dips into the same musical trick bag as early '90s acid-jazz acts the Young Disciples and the Brand New Heavies.... more » Combining jazzy vamps, R&B vocal flourishes, funk bass, and discofied bounce into a mélange that works on and off the dance floor, Cooly's Hot Box unfortunately never achieves club-land nirvana. The group's anthems are filled with lyrical clichés about all-night loving and that one true soul mate, and while the percolating single "Make Me Happy" has an airy charm, the majority of the album has little depth. The same could be said for lead singer Angela Johnson. Her persuasive voice works well on the sparse "I'm in Love with You," for example, but like her band mates, Johnson just gets the job done and doesn't reach for anything more transcendent than pleasing-but-innocuous grooves. --Amy Linden« less
The veteran New York-based foursome Cooly's Hot Box, which has released a handful of dance singles, liberally dips into the same musical trick bag as early '90s acid-jazz acts the Young Disciples and the Brand New Heavies. Combining jazzy vamps, R&B vocal flourishes, funk bass, and discofied bounce into a mélange that works on and off the dance floor, Cooly's Hot Box unfortunately never achieves club-land nirvana. The group's anthems are filled with lyrical clichés about all-night loving and that one true soul mate, and while the percolating single "Make Me Happy" has an airy charm, the majority of the album has little depth. The same could be said for lead singer Angela Johnson. Her persuasive voice works well on the sparse "I'm in Love with You," for example, but like her band mates, Johnson just gets the job done and doesn't reach for anything more transcendent than pleasing-but-innocuous grooves. --Amy Linden
CD Reviews
A jazzy funky groove
A. Randall | Nashville, TN United States | 03/18/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"#10 is probably my favorite cut on the CD but it's so hard to pick a favorite! the entire CD is phat. it reminds me of loose ends with their blend of "jazzy funky grooviness." it's good ANYTIME music...because anytime is a good time to groove.i had the pleasure of seeing cooly's hot box perform live in Detroit recently and this crew is no joke. check them out."
Take It! It's worth it!
Gregory Spraggins | New York, New york United States | 02/18/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I knew of this group from an Independent sampler. I happened In the record store and just bought it! I'm glad I did. Great album in the tradition of Brand New Heavies and Incognito. The is a great blend of Jazz junk and soul. Something greatly missing in mainstream."
Loved It
Gregory Spraggins | 02/02/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Loved the CD,great mix of songs. More please, looking forward to next release. Very talented group!"
"Take It is Iced with Jazz...some Dig It Vibes!"
J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 01/29/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"If you like Groove with a Funky Beat...iced with Jazz...a smidgen of Dance...light touch of R&B...this New York group compared to the "Brand New Heavies"...blends style and tone of Stevie Wonder--Earth Wind & Fire--collective Jackson Five...how about that for some good company to hang out with! Each track has a distinctive mood...with some stand outs ~ "FRIEND OF MINE", enticing creative beat, gets under your skin and moves you---"HAPPY FEELINGS", probably one of the best cuts on the album, lead vocalist Angela Johnson interpretation of each lyrical passage ends on a positive note, gotta love it! Entire cast of Cooly's Hot-Box is first rate...a different sound blends the colors of Funk and Latin...with harmony from individuals who seem to enjoy what they're doing...making us the
FANS Happy...which brings us back to HAPPY FEELINGS! Total Time: 64:59 on 15 Tracks ~ Purpose/Higher Octave OMCD-11272 ~ (2002)"
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1
