Chocolate Milk (band)

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Chocolate Milk
Origin Flag of the United States New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Genre(s) Funk, R&B, Soul
Years active 1974–1983
Label(s) RCA
Associated acts Allen Toussaint
Former members
Frank Richard, Amadee Castenell, Jr, Joe Foxx, Robert Dabon, Mario Tio, Dwight Richards

Chocolate Milk is a former American funk and soul band from New Orleans, Louisiana, active in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Contents

[edit] Biography

Chocolate Milk was formed in 1974 in Memphis, Tennessee by saxophonist Amadee Castenell, Jr shortly after the emergence of the bands Kool & the Gang and Earth, Wind & Fire. The eight-piece band relocated to New Orleans to become the studio band for songwriter and producer Allen Toussaint, following the tenure of The Meters as Toussaint's band. Chocolate Milk backed Toussaint as a live band and on his album New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (1976), and also recorded with Paul McCartney. The band then signed with RCA Records.

Their first of eight albums released on RCA was Action Speaks Louder Than Words, an album that included a political message. The title cut, "Action Speaks Louder Than Words" (1975), has a break beat that has been sampled numerous times in hip hop music, including "Move The Crowd" from the 1987 album Paid in Full by Eric B. & Rakim, and "Don't Let Your Mouth Write A Check Your Ass Can't Cash" (1991) by Stetsasonic.

The band became known for "Action Speaks Louder Than Words", and other hit songs: "Girl Callin'" (1978), and "Say Won't Cha" (1979). The band was also known for their versatility in musical styles, later adding elements of disco, prevalent on their hit, "Blue Jeans" (1981). Chocolate Milk broke up in 1983 due to the waning popularity of disco, numerous personnel changes, and changes in producers after splitting with Toussaint in 1980.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

  • Action Speaks Louder Than Words (1975), RCA
  • Chocolate Milk (1976), RCA
  • We're All in This Together (1977), RCA
  • Comin' (1977), RCA
  • Milky Way (1979), RCA
  • Hipnotism (1980), RCA
  • Blue Jeans (1981), RCA
  • Friction (1982), RCA
  • Ice Cold Funk: The Greatest Grooves of Chocolate Milk (1998), Razor & Tie
  • Best of Chocolate Milk (2002), Camden

[edit] References

  • Phillips, Dan (2006). Action Speaks Louder Than Words [CD liner notes]. SONYBMG Music Entertainment.
  • Vincent, Rickey (1996). Funk: The Music, The People, and The Rhythm of The One. St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0-312-13499-1. p. 68

[edit] Links

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