Best Of 70s Soul: Mellow Gold

Hot Chocolate

British band Hot Chocolate made 'funky rock 'n roll',  a unique cocktail of soul, rock, pop and a tiny bit of disco. They had a string of first class hit singles in the 1970s. Not many people know that Hot Chocolate was discovered by John Lennon. When he heard their version of Give Peace A Chance, he immediately signed them for the Apple label that was owned by The Beatles. But the Fab Four split and Mickie Most contracted Hot Chocolate to RAK a little later. He also produced their biggest hits. They were at their best around the mid-seventies, when frontman Errol Brown sang passionately about his love life, supported by the distinctive guitar sound of Harvey Hinsley. Hot Chocolate was certainly not just another disco band (they even made anti-disco songs). The architect of the group, forementioned Errol Brown, passed away in 2015.

In 1974, former Motown writer and producer Johnny Bristol launched his career as a solo singer. His highly sensual debut single Hang On In There Baby reached number 2 R&B and number 8 on the pop chart. The same titled album had some more great tracks, like You And I. But its successor Feeling The Magic wasn't as successful, although there were quite a few highlights on it as well, like Love Takes Tears and Lusty Lady. 

Soon afterwards Bristol left his record company MGM. Bristol's Creme, his Atlantic debut album, put him back on the map. The LP had two superb singles, I Sho Like Groovin' With Ya and Do It To My Mind. The latter would become his last hit record, reaching number 5 on the R&B chart in 1976. The successful singer, songwriter and producer passed away in March of 2004 at the age of 65.

Enjoy these mellow gold tracks from the seventies! The track by The Ebonys is on Yacht Soul, the upcoming part of the Too Slow To Disco series.

Next up is a Mixcloud Exclusive, followed by a new show on Mellow Mellow FM for all listeners.

Tracklist:

Raydio ‎– Is This A Love Thing (1978)
The Ebonys – A Love Of Your Own (1977)
Banda Black Rio – Samboreando (1978)
Chi-Lites – Are You My Woman? (Tell Me So) (1970)
Chocolate Milk – How About Love (1976)
Hi-Tension – British Hustle (1978)
Johnny Bristol – I Sho Like Groovin’ With Ya (1976)
Hot Chocolate – Cheri Babe (1974)
Marvin Gaye – Time To Get It Together (1978)
Spiders Webb – I Don’t Know What’s On Your Mind (1976)
Patrice Rushen – Hang It Up (1978)
Tony Wilson – Love, I Thought I Would Never Find Love (1979)
Mud – Laugh Live Love (1976)
The Three Degrees ‎– Take Good Care Of Yourself (1975)