Biography
Cooly’s Hot-Box draws from the legacy of 1970s funk-dance pioneers Rufus and Earth, Wind And Fire, even though the group is frequently labeled an acid jazz act. Its approach distinguishes the band within modern R&B and urban music, since leaders Christian Urich on drums and Angela Johnson on vocals both compose material and perform their own instrumental parts. The outfit originated in New York City, New York, USA, in the early 1990s after Urich and Johnson first connected while completing undergraduate degrees in studio composition. Adding production associates Ticklah and Scribe, the group released a series of singles across the late 1990s. One of those tracks, ‘Don’t Throw My Love Around’, appeared on the London Records anthology Giant Steps, which prompted noted DJ and producer Armand Van Helden to sample its keyboard riff for the hit single ‘Funk Phenomena’. Once Ernesto Abreu on percussion, Victor Axelrod on keyboards, and Chris Smyke on bass joined the roster, Cooly’s Hot-Box supported concerts by B.B. King, A Tribe Called Quest, Zapp, the Neville Brothers, Guru, and India.Arie. The ensemble finally released its first album, Take It, in 2002. Outside the band, Urich has recorded with Roger Sanchez, Osalaunda, and DJ Spinna, while Johnson wrote and produced a chart-topping hit for Japanese artist Double.
Albums
