Combined with the planet\u2019s leading Afrocentric confectionary and its derivative beverage, more than a few light bulbs were set to go off in newly christened practice spaces globally upon Hot Chocolate\u2019s inevitable suggestion. Little did Ragland know, an interracial band of musical Englishmen were eyeballing the same nom de chanson in their native Brixton. They approached John Lennon for clearance for their reggae cover of \u201cGive Peace a Chance,\u201d but the powerful Beatle liked their interpretation so much, he added them to the band\u2019s Apple Records roster, thrusting the Brits ahead in the race to make Hot Chocolate a household name for something other than dark, sweet beverages.<\/p>\n
Despite the potential confusion\u2014and perhaps in hope of capitalizing on it\u2014Lou Ragland began filling his mug with a host of recordings that would make up his Hot Chocolate\u2019s eponymous debut. The album would be released on the oh-so-cleverly-named Co-Co label in 1971 and bankrolled by a five-pointed council that included Ragland, Lyman Moffat, Loretta Walker, Tom Threat, and Leonard Jackson. Executed at Agency Recording and engineered by longtime Ragland associate Don White, the seven-song affair is a team of vocal numbers and instrumentals in search of a leader. Volcanic Eruption\u2019s James McClain showed up to provide vocals for the chorus to \u201cAin\u2019t That A Groove,\u201d but the rest of the record is all Hot Chocolate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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