Hot Coko

Artist: Coko
Label: RCA
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 078636776620
EAN: 0078636776620
ASIN: B00000JS0O

Release Date: 1999-08-10

Hot Coko

Related Categories:

General

| R&B | Styles | Music

General

| Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Intro
Don't Take Your Love Away
Sunshine
You And Me
Bigger Than We
Try-Na Come Home
Triflin'
I Ain't Feelin You
Everytime
All My Lovin'
If This World Were Mine
So Hard To Say Goodbye

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Customer Reviews:

2.5 stars.......2007-02-07

This is one of those R&B albums from the 90's that you were feeling when it dropped, but when you listen to it a few years later it's repetitive, formulaic, bland and undistinguished. There are a few good songs on here and the rest is really nothing special. Same old stuff that everybody was making back then. Rodney Jerkins production, repeat chorus ten times. I don't really recommend buying this.

Breathless..........2006-01-11

After a series of skirmishes and falling outs during a tumultuous decade of issues and rumors swirling around SWV, the group disbanded amidst a record contract extension and a plethora of changes in the Pop & R&B market in 1998. As a result, a few months after the break-up, Cheryl "Coko" Gamble, famed lead singer of SWV released her solo album entitled "Hot Coko" on August 10, 1999. For the most part, the album has class and color. This album was also released during a time when numerous girl groups in the R&B & Pop genres were vying to take SWV's place as multi-platinum superstars. (i.e. Blaque, Destiny's Child, 702, etc.) Though, the album didn't receive the accolades that Destiny's Child received during that year, Coko, who has been writing, producing and singing for numerous years prior to the release of this album sure could have competed with those artists in talent and sales. Her vocal tone and astonishing riffs will leave you breathless as you feel her emotion within every song. Coko delivers a breakthrough performance with the aid of producers Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, (who worked with Destiny's Child & 702 that same year) Lashawn "Big Shiz" Daniels, Damon Thomas, newcomer John "Jayd" Daniels, Michael J. Powell (Anita Baker's producer) and reunited with long-time SWV producer Brian Alexander Morgan (a.k.a. "BAM"). Her best songs include: "Sunshine," Jayd's "Try-Na Come Home," BAM's tender collaboration with her on "Bigger Than We," "You and Me," Damon Thomas' "So Hard to Say Goodbye," which features Babyface, Kevon Edmonds, and the popular Sheree Ford-Payne singing background, the clever re-working of Teena Marie's "Behind The Groove" in "I Ain't Feelin' You," "Everytime," & "All My Lovin'." Also, she worked wonders with the revamping of "If This World Were Mine," which features a notable performance by her former RCA label mate Tyrese. This is an above average album. It has creativity and originality, but it lacks the SWV spirit. Still, Coko's solo run can best be described as resilient. Anyone who can bounce back from adversity, especially in a period where all the odds are against your success clearly has a place in the folklore of music. Look out for the return of SWV!!! They're BACK!!!

Hot Coko 1999-2000.......2005-05-21

I remember this album when I was 12. I was so excited to get this album and it is as good as SWV's last 2 albums. I love this album. Coko co-wrote 5 of the songs on this album. Staying true to the heart and soul of R&B,love and happiness are the themes that prevail on this album. This album showcases the talents of today's gifted producers(in 1999). This album is undeniable proof that Coko can do good all on her own. This album should have been promoted more. Remember,this was 1999.

I was thrilled and pleased to own this disc. I remember seeing her Sunshine video and must I say she look beautiful. This album features production of Rodney Jerkins,Brian Alexander Morgan,and other producers. Do NOT compare this album with the late 90s' albums. Coko still has own style and originality. This album should have been nominated for a Grammy. She put herself into this album. She can sing. Listen to this album before you judge.

More Like Lukewarm.......2004-07-18

Cheryl Gamble, better known as Coko of the Rnb group SWV, decided to puruse a solo career after the group broke up in 1999, the same year that there was a large outbreak of pop acts as well as around the same time as RnB singers, such as Brandy, Monica and Tevin Campbell released new albums. Coko, while still a part of SWV, had a great deal of success in the early 90s. It seems that on her debut, Coko enlisted the help of several producers, most notably Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, to help her sound original while not straying too far from SWV's sound. Coko, while she may not have the best or most emotive voice, has an undeniably strong voice, which often helps to make a song sound great even when writing is somewhat weak.

The album starts off with an average Intro that features a young child (Coko's daughter?) telling Coko to hurry up because people are waiting and the Coko says a short prayer. It is quite unnecessary. Afterwards comes "Don't Take Your Love Away", the first of many songs that is produced by Rodney Jerkins. The song is not particularly bad, however it seems like any RnB artist could have sung this and there is very little to distinguish this song from songs by just about any other artist who worked with Rodney Jerkins. The songwriting as well is not as strong as it could be. After this comes "Sunshine", the only single (as far as I know) to be released from this album. The lyrics are a little better in this song however, possibly because of the beat, the chorus seems a little crowded which takes away from the quality of the song.

Afterwards comes "You And Me" which is, of the first three tracks on the album, probably the strongest. As a matter of fact, it is probably the strongest track produced by Rodney Jerkins on the album. The lyrics are better and the beat and music do not overwhelm Coko's voice nearly as much as in the previous two songs. Next comes an album highlight (vocally) and the first song that is not produced by Darkchild, "Bigger Than We". Coko pulls this song off with a lot of class even though it does not make much sense. ("These are the things that are bigger than we"). After is "Tryna Come Home", a mid-tempo song that has great background music and nice vocals. The main problem with this song it the music overpowers Coko's voice in many places on the verses. In the second verse however, Coko seems to have realized this and is singing louder than the background music, which is much better. Except for the minute or so when the music overpowers Coko, this is an excellent song.

Next comes "Triflin" which features a mediocre rap by Eve. Coko's vocals sound amazing in this song. Lyrically, this is one of the better songs as well. Had it not been for Eve's rap in this song, it probably would have been an album highlight. After comes "I Ain't Feeling You", the second last song that was written and produced by Rodney Jerkins. Unfortunately, Rodney seemed to have more misses than hits in producing this album. Coko's vocals border on screaming in many places (this coming from me, who likes singers like Christina Aguliera, Jessica Simpson, Mariah Carey, etc.) and the presence of the background singers is too obvious. Following this is a classy ballad entitled "Everytime". "Everytime" is definitely an album highlight with its mellow beat and elegant vocals. The only real downside to this song is Coko's voice doesn't show much range for the most part. However, her vocals are still awesome so it does not matter.

Finally, Rodney Jerkins gives Coko a great track in the form of "All My Lovin'". Rodney seemed to have learned from his mistakes on the previous tracks he contributed to the album. Instead of overwhelming Coko's vocals with driving beats, he gives her a more melodious, classier track that showcases her voice better. This song is a little bit too long however it is great for the most part. The second last track is the Tyrese duet "If This World Were Mine" which was written by Marvin Gaye. Musically this is a great track that features and enchanting background of keyboards, guitars, bass and percussion. Both Coko and Tyrese have had better duets (with Tevin Campbell and Monica respectively) however the two sound great in this romantic song. Also, towards the end where they actually sing at the same time, the two singers' vocals complement each other very well. The album ends with "So Hard To Say Goodbye", a sweet ballad with melancholy lyrics. ("Never thought the day would come when I would have to overcome the love and joy and happiness that we once shared."). Coko's vocals are for the most part good however she is quiet it some parts, making it hard to hear the beautiful lyrics.

Overall Mark: 2/5

There is no doubt that Coko has talent and a good voice however much of the problem in this album lies in the songs that were chosen. Rodney Jerkins, who usually contributes great songs, (most notably to artists like Brandy, Mary J Blige, Whitney Houston, etc.) gave Coko several lackluster songs. The production for the most part was decent but overpowered Coko's voice in many places. Pro-Tools (the equipment used to alter voices) were used on a third of the tracks, which was very unnecessary since Coko already has a good voice. Another thing I noticed was that there was very little variation in song length or vocal styles. It would have been better if Coko had put more emotion into her songs. Finally, very few tracks on the album were memorable. There were several highlights, particularly in the last few tracks, however the album lacks the couple of key songs necessary to catch the listeners attention and have them replay the album.

Not The Best But Wonderful!.......2004-02-17

Being obsessed with Coko's golden voice, it didn't surprise me that I liked this album. In all honesty this was not great but it does give SWV fans like me the chance to hold onto some new material even if it only focused on Coko's solo work. No matter what happens to her solo career, Coko will always be remembered as one of the best singers in the 1990's. I love Coko and would rather have her alone than not at all. Hot Coko doesn't compare to her work with SWV. It won't satisfy you unless you just like Coko. Some of the songs are childish. That's disappointing seeing how she has worked with some great producers in the past. I think ditching Darkchild would have been best. She would have had a slamming album if she'd hooked up with Teddy Riley ( who produced the killer remixes of " I'm So Into You " ), SWV's breakout hit. Coko brings back fond memories of the 1990's, New Jack Swing era. But sadly, unless you just want to be reminded of SWV, Hot Coko will probably be forgotten.

Music:

Music

Music CD

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Stop Staring at Me! ~ The Jerky Boys

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Pentagon ~ Pentagon

Cartel de Santa ~ Cartel de Santa

Nueva Ley De La Musica Nortena ~ Los Renegados Del Norte

Cumbias del Millennium 2002 ~ Various Artists

Me Estoy Enamorando ~ Los Ciclones del Arroyo