We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

To Be Cool

by KOKOMO

supported by
andyp19
andyp19 thumbnail
/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £9 GBP  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Includes unlimited streaming of To Be Cool via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 2 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      £12 GBP or more 

     

1.
Friend Of Mine 08:39
buy track
2.
It Ain't Cool (To Be Cool No More) 07:23
buy track
3.
Mothers Prayer 06:39
buy track
4.
Freedom For the Stallion 05:54
buy track
5.
New Morning 10:53
buy track
6.
Chameleon 09:28
buy track
7.
Anytime 04:28
buy track
8.
Yes We Can Can 07:16
buy track
9.
Angel 06:02
buy track
10.
I Can Understand It 10:42
buy track
11.
First Snow In Kokomo 01:26
buy track
12.
Lonely Town, Lonely Street 03:29
buy track
13.
Somebody's Watching you 05:12
buy track
14.
Sweet Home Chicago 07:07
buy track

about

• Brit Soul-Funk legends Kokomo collected together as musicians from past groups Arrival, and The Grease Band in 1973. To Be Cool documents this period between late 1973 to late 1974 when the band would perform regular sets of contemporary soul around London.

• Disc 1 captures the band recorded live in rehearsal; the songs 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 O’MALLEY : 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 the live scene. The songs also include ‘It Ain’t 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 Philips) 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, thus 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 Paddie’s 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 interview quotes from Frank Collins and Paul Phillips. Plus new to CD contemporary photos from Barry Plummer.

credits

released November 21, 2023

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Another Planet Music image

Another Planet Music Oxford, UK

contact / help

Contact Another Planet Music

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like To Be Cool, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring Riley Pinkerton (aka The Rat Queen) from the theatrical NYC rockers, Castle Rat.
listen now