C.O.C.O.

C.O.C.O. is the result of two funk-loving roommates, Olivia Ness (vocals, bass) and Chris Sutton (vocals, drums), deciding to create something new out of their love for the old-school grooves of Sly & the Family Stone, the Meters, and E.S.G. Sutton had already been playing bass for Dub Narcotic Sound System for a few years when he and Ness formed C.O.C.O. in 2000. Ness, meanwhile, had only taught herself to play bass a year before (and had previously put those newfound skills to use in now-defunct local band Decoy Decoy). The two instantly became part of a longstanding musical tradition in Olympia, WA -- no, not just the independent-minded D.I.Y. spirit that permeates the state capitol -- but the tradition of the duo as practiced by such K notables as Kicking Giant, the Softies, and the Need. According to Sutton, C.O.C.O. was "born of beats and blood." He supplies the beats -- specifically the breakbeat -- via his polyrhythmic drumming, while Ness provides "all things soulful" via her floor-shaking bass vibrations ("the blood") and her sensual yet feisty vocals. Aside from their many funk influences, C.O.C.O. has also claimed as inspiration for their energetic, stripped-down sound such diverse artists as Can, Talking Heads, and the B-52's and such genres/labels as Motown, disco, and punk. Their mission is to provide a minimalist, organic alternative to more digitally oriented dance music like techno and electronica. The vocal interplay between Ness, who sings, and Sutton, who speaks his lyrics, is reminiscent of Tom Tom Club and, more recently, King Kong and Call & Response. (Despite their interest in reggae and hip-hop, the duo avoids rapping and toasting, for the most part.) Listen closely, and you might even hear the ghosts of such African-influenced, dub-obsessed...