* En anglais uniquement
Influenced by the '80s synth funk of
the S.O.S. Band,
Midnight Star, and
Jimmy Jam &
Terry Lewis,
Cool Million are a European production duo whose mission statement is to "take soul back to the future." Founded by Danish songwriter
Frank Ryle, a passionate soul music fan who ran his own online magazine, Soulportal.dk, the collaborative outfit released its first track, "Naughty Girl," through an Expansion Records compilation before German producer
Rob Hardt (
Chaka Khan,
Keith Sweat) came on board. Following the critical acclaim garnered by their 2008 debut, Going Out Tonight, they teamed up with a host of guest stars, including '80s soul singers
Meli'sa Morgan,
Peggi Blu, and
Eugene Wilde and '70s R&B trio
Black Ivory's
Leroy Burgess, for follow-up Back for More, which was released through
Hardt's own label, Sed Soul, in 2010. ~ Jon O'Brien