Biography
Hot Chocolate are a British soul band popular during the 1970s and 1980s, formed by Errol Brown and Tony Wilson. The act had at least one hit every year from 1970 to 1984, and their song “You Sexy Thing” made the Top 10 in three decades. In 1970 Hot Chocolate, with the help of record producer Mickie Most, began releasing tracks that became hits, such as “Love Is Life”, “Emma”, “You Could Have Been a Lady” (a U.S. and Canadian hit for April Wine), and “I Believe in Love”. All those releases were on the UK RAK owned by Most and the US Infinity record label. Brown and bassist Tony Wilson wrote most of their original material, and also provided hits for Herman’s Hermits, “Bet Yer Life I Do”, Julie Felix, “Heaven is Here”, and Mary Hopkin, “Think About Your Children”.Gradually the five-piece Brixton-based outfit started to become UK Singles Chart regulars. “Brother Louie”, which featured a guest spoken vocal from Alexis Korner, and “Emma” introduced the act. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_Chocolate_(band)
Album & Cover
This album is a “Greatest Hits” compilation of their hits during the early seventies. It consisted of the singles, Every 1’s a Winner, So You Win Again, and Put Your Love In Me, among others.
Among the obsessions with Hipgnosis was “water” and ” telephones”( see 10cc’s How Dare You album). On this cover the telephone takes centre stage with the woman on the front cover talking to Errol Brown on the back cover. Are they trying to make up after a row? or is it just a loving phone call? The former I think when you can see the guy, on the back cover,behind Errol Brown with his finger to his lips to silence the group… as Errol tries to make up.
Cover Location: Hipgnosis Studio, London.
Who Did What: Photography – A. Powell.
Label: Infinity INF-9002(US), RAK SRAK 531(UK)
Source: Vinyl. Album. Cover. Art, The Complete Hipgnosis Catalogue: Aubrey Powell
| Side One Every 1’s A Winner Confetti Day Love Is The Answer One More Time Sometimes It Hurts To Be A Friend |
Side Two So You Win Again Stay With Me Runaway Girl I’m Going To Make You Feel Like A Woman Put Your Love In Me |
Credits
Vocals – E. Brown
Producer – Mickie Most
Synthesizer [GX1 Arranged] – John Cameron
Written-By – E. Brown (tracks: A1 to A4, B5)
