Kokomo

Following in the footsteps of Gonzalez and the Average White Band, but frequently out-performing either of those acts, Kokomo has been described as the most authentic, and certainly the most traditional, funk band Britain produced during the 1970s. Whereas other acts of their ilk seemed more concerned with echoing the precision and musicianship of the best American performers, Kokomo were more concerned with the actual feel of the music, a distinction which was not lost on either critics or audiences. The group's ten-man membership was almost shockingly disparate -- saxophonist Mel Collins was ex-King Crimson, guitarist Neil Hubbard and bassist Alan Spenner previously worked with Joe Cocker's Grease Band, vocalist Frank Collins once led '60s pop sensations Arrival. Neither were Kokomo shackled to the traditional soul/R&B club circuit. Rather, the band launched onto the U.K. pub rock scene where, until the advent of Roogalator and Supercharge during 1975, their loose-limbed funk workouts were in an absolute class of their own. Kokomo finally broke out of the pubs in early 1975, following their inclusion on the seminal Naughty Rhythms tour alongside Dr. Feelgood and Chilli Willie & the Red Hot Peppers. Independently booked and organized, Naughty Rhythms was the first concerted attempt to take pub rock itself out of London and into the provinces -- Graham Parker later acknowledged that he might never have launched his own career had he not seen, and been so impressed by, the Naughty Rhythms package. CBS was similarly enamored, signing Kokomo and issuing the band's self-titled debut album that summer. Labelmate Bob Dylan, too, was fascinated by the group -- when Kokomo visited New York that July to launch their album in America, Dylan recruited them to the early sessions...