The Essential

by Hot Chocolate

Overview

The problem with Hot Chocolate is that the group's catalog is very uneven. More than that, there is a sharp descent from the fine rock-funk-soul-bubblegum fusion of the mid-'70s to the bland soft disco-rock sound of the '80s. This compilation gives the listener equal doses of each in non-chronological order, leading to a very schizophrenic and unsatisfying disc. For example, the super fine "Brother Louie" from 1973 is sandwiched by the tepid "No Doubt About It" from 1980 and the sub-Billy Ocean-sounding "Tears on the Telephone" from 1983. You have to listen to some serious dross to get to the gems like the freaky "Everyone's a Winner," the very funky "Heaven Is in the Back Seat of My Cadillac," the slinky "Disco Queen," and a song that can reduce strong men to tears halfway through the first verse, the mighty "Emma." Worst of all, a remake of Hot Chocolate's biggest hit and most recognizable song, "You Sexy Thing," is included instead of the real thing. That crime alone is enough to consign this disc to the scrap heap. While it is difficult to find a good Hot Chocolate collection that gives more weight to the group's '70s work, it is pretty easy to find one that includes the original version of "You Sexy Thing." ~ Tim Sendra

Product Details

Release Date:	11/08/2011
Label:	Emi
UPC:	5099968025229
Rank:	41594

Tracks

1. It Started With A Kiss
2. So You Win Again
3. I Gave You My Heart (Didn't I)
4. No Doubt About It
5. Brother Louie
6. Tears On the Telephone
7. Chances
8. You Could've Been a Lady
9. Every 1's A Winner
10. Girl Crazy
11. You Sexy Thing [Single Version]
12. I'll Put You Together Again
13. Are You Getting Enough Happiness
14. Emma
15. What Kinda Boy You Lookin' For (Girl)
16. Heaven is in the Back Seat of My Cadillac
17. Disco Queen
18. Heartache No. 9

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Hot Chocolate   Primary Artist
Patrick Olive   Vocals (Background),Bass,Percussion,Guitar (Bass)
Errol Brown   Vocals
The CCS Horns   Sax (Baritone),Trumpet,Trombone,Sax (Alto),Sax (Tenor)
Alexis Korner   Speech/Speaker/Speaking Part
Chris Cameron   Piano,Vocals
Cozy Powell   Drums
Larry Ferguson   Keyboards,Moog Synthesizer
Tony Wilson   Bass,Guitar (Bass),Vocals (Background)
Pete Wingfield   Keyboards,Synthesizer,Vocals (Background)
Paul Westwood   Guitar (Bass)
Tony Connor   Drums,Piano (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Harvey Hinsley   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background)
Derek Lewis   Percussion,Vocals (Background)
Phil Cranham   Guitar (Bass)

Technical Credits

Richard Gower   Composer
Errol Brown   Composer,Lyricist
Stefan Klein   Artwork
Steve Glen   Composer
Russell Ballard   Composer
D-Most   Composer
Paul Thomas   Engineer
Pearse Dunne   Engineer
Chris Cameron   Composer,Drum Programming
Tony Wilson   Composer,Lyricist
Carl Sturken   Composer
Don Black   Composer
John Cameron   Arranger
Geoff Stephens   Composer
Russ Ballard   Composer
David Most   Composer
Pete Schwier   Engineer
Phil Thornalley   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Mickie Most   Producer
Mike Nocito   Engineer
Anthony Wilson   Composer
Will Gosling   Engineer
Steve Owen   Engineer
Chris Dickie   Engineer
Evan Rogers   Composer
Doug Hopkins   Engineer,Engineer
David Grant   Composer
Phil Dennys   Arranger
Tim Turan   Mastering
Mike Burns   Composer
Donny Most   Composer
Steve Cooksie   Engineer
T. Wilson   Composer
Bubbles Cameron   Composer