Stronger – Cool Million

80’s soul music hasn’t had the resurgence in Sweden it should have had. There are events such as the popular ‘Soul Train’ nights in Stockholm, though the playlist there tends to steer into the pop and soul classics rather than an overall ‘Soul Night’ vibe. It’s a shame because the party people they attract would be just as endeared to Cool Million as they are to Boney M and Abba. Perhaps their playlist has changed as it was over 18 months since I attended. The lingering memory I have is of a mature crowd who certainly knew how to get down.

And getting down is where Cool Million excel.

As always they’re keeping the pulse of 80’s soul/dance music alive and pumping. And the Danish/German duo (Rob Hardt and Frank Ryle) keep it old skool on their new album – Stronger.

The albums main title track – Stronger features US band D/train and echoes of their classic ‘You’re the one for me‘ radiate from this 12″ mix.  Yeah, this album is intentionally crafted for us who like a longer listen, DJ’s and dancefloors. As always Cool Million invites a host of global new and established soul artists into their party-driven studio. The guest list includes Danish artists Seest and Janus Soliånd, Jasmine Franklin (US), and Rachel Matthews (UK) to name but a few…

Rachel features on the track – Skintight which has gone straight in at No1 in The UK Soul Chart. Cleverly using an SOS band sample, it’s one of my faves on the album too.

The extended mix of – Save Your Love for Me (Boogie Back, A Tobin), already feels like a classic. The Gospel-esque vocals are so uplifting.

Cool Million isn’t afraid to bring their funkadelic side either as demonstrated with Sexability (Kevin Hart – no, not the comedian though that would have been fun!).

When they slow it down with tracks like – No Matter What (Yolanda Lavender), Share the Light (Janus Soliånd), and Your Move (Sophia Ripley), the melody, beat and instrumentation are composed and mixed with the loving touch of soul.

Faye B rounds the album off with the single – Summer Rain, and it’s like finding another layer of chocolates under the first tray.

Sometimes we’re in such a hurry to go forward, that we forget to look back. Cool Million knows that the past still holds the key to the future. They remind us that dancing, partying and feeling good is never out of fashion. Their energy draws us away from our isolated internet lives and back to sharing good times together.

Now that’s worth a cool million.