Chocolate Milk -

Chocolate Milk was an American soul-funk band from New Orleans that released eight albums between 1975 and 1982 on RCA Victor.

Members: Amadee Castenell Jr. (vocals, saxophone), Frank Richards (vocals, percussion), Mario Tio (guitar), Ernest Dabon (bass), Robert Dabon (piano, clavinet, moog), Joe “Foxx” Smith (trumpet, flugelhorn), Kenneth Williams (percussion), Dwight Richards (drums), David Barard (bass)

Background

Chocolate Milk formed in 1974 in New Orleans, where they replaced hometown heroes The Meters as the backing band of veteran R&B musician/producer Allen Toussaint.

Action Speaks Louder Than Words

Chocolate Milk released their debut album, Action Speaks Louder Than Words, in May 1975 on RCA Victor.

The album establishes the band’s foundation in New Orleans soul-funk, blending tight horn arrangements, layered keyboards, and rhythmically varied percussion. It showcases their cohesion as Toussaint’s new backing group while introducing the band’s own compositional voice.

Primary songwriting credits go to Chocolate Milk members collectively, with the exception of the America cover “Tin Man,” written by Dewey Bunnell. Guitarist Mario Tio, keyboardist Robert Dabon, drummer Dwight Richards, and horn players Amadee Castenell Jr. and Joe Smith all contributed to the group compositions, while Ernest Dabon, Frank Richards, and Kenneth Williams co-wrote alongside them.

A1. “Action Speaks Louder Than Words” (3:24)
A2. “Time Machine” (4:32)
A3. “My Mind Is Hazy” (4:42)
A4. “Confusion” (4:12)
A5. “Pretty Pimpin’ Willie” (4:00)

B1. “Tin Man” (3:21)
B2. “Chocolate Pleasure” (3:36)
B3. “People” (2:54)
B4. “Ain’t Nothin’ But a Thing” (2:59)
B5. “Out Among the Stars” (5:35)

Sessions occurred at Sea-Saint Recording Studio, New Orleans, with Allen Toussaint and Marshall E. Sehorn producing and Ken Laxton engineering and remixing.

“Action Speaks Louder Than Words” reached No. 15 on the Billboard R&B Singles Chart.

Chocolate Milk

Chocolate Milk released their self-titled second album in March 1976 on RCA Victor.

The album builds on the band’s New Orleans funk-soul foundation with polished horn lines, layered keyboards, and rhythmically varied percussion. It demonstrates tighter arrangements and the ensemble’s growing confidence as Toussaint’s backing band while asserting their own compositional voice.

All tracks were written by Chocolate Milk, with contributions from guitarist Mario Tio, keyboardist Robert Dabon, drummer Dwight Richards, and horn players Amadee Castenell Jr. and Joseph Smith III, supported by bassist Ernest Dabon, vocalist Frank Richards, and percussionist Kenneth Williams.

A1. “Never Ever Do Without You” (3:46)
A2. “How About Love” (5:52)
A3. “Spread a Little Love” (4:56)
A4. “You’ve Got Your Spell On Me” (3:07)

B1. “Let the Music Take Your Mind” (4:22)
B2. “Crazy About You” (3:31)
B3. “Party Happy” (3:16)
B4. “Running Away” (3:43)
B5. “Pluck It” (5:16)

Sessions occurred at Sea-Saint Studio, New Orleans, with Allen Toussaint and Marshall Sehorn producing and Skip Godwin engineering.

Comin’

Chocolate Milk released their third album, Comin’, in October 1976 on RCA Victor.

The album extends the band’s New Orleans funk-soul style with tighter arrangements and expanded horn and keyboard textures. It showcases their cohesion as both a backing unit for Allen Toussaint and a self-contained ensemble exploring original compositions.

All nine members contributed to the songwriting, including Amadee Castenell Jr., David Barard, Dwight Richards, Frank Richards, Joseph Smith III, Kenneth Williams, Mario Tio, Robert Dabon, and S. Hughes, reflecting the collaborative approach that defined the group’s early work.

A1. “Comin'” (5:52)
A2. “Something New” (4:09)
A3. “Do Unto Others” (3:33)
A4. “Feel The Need In Me” (4:30)

B1. “With All Our Love” (4:33)
B2. “Starbright” (5:42)
B3. “I Refuse” (5:06)
B4. “Island Love” (2:42)

Sessions occurred at Sea-Saint Studio, New Orleans, with Allen Toussaint and Marshall Sehorn producing and Skip Godwin engineering.

We’re All in This Together

Chocolate Milk released their fourth album, We’re All in This Together, in March 1978 on RCA Victor.

The album blends the band’s signature New Orleans funk with broader soul textures and richer horn and keyboard layers. Allen Toussaint contributed as producer, arranger, and primary songwriter on several tracks, while the nine-member ensemble maintained collaborative input across the remaining material.

Toussaint wrote seven tracks, including the title track and “Grand Theft,” while the full band contributed collectively to six songs, reflecting the group’s shared compositional approach.

A1. “Grand Theft” (5:30)
A2. “Thinking of You” (4:01)
A3. “We’re All In This Together” (4:31)
A4. “Help Me Find the Road” (5:37)
A5. “Fertility” (0:30)

B1. “America” (4:20)
B2. “That’s the Way She Loves” (4:34)
B3. “Over the Rainbow” (3:08)
B4. “Girl Callin'” (5:29)
B5. “Fertility” (0:36)

Sessions occurred at Sea-Saint Studio, New Orleans, with Allen Toussaint producing and Skip Godwin and Roberta Grace engineering.

The single “Girl Callin’” reached No. 14 on the R&B chart.

Milky Way

Chocolate Milk released their fifth album, Milky Way, in April 1979 on RCA Victor.

The album refines the band’s New Orleans funk with layered keyboard textures, flaring horn lines, and percussion that alternates between urgent and measured patterns. Flute and saxophone weave through the rhythm section, while guitar and electric piano interlock with bass and drums to create shifting rhythmic colors across the tracks.

The nine tracks were written collectively by the seven-member band, with Robert Dabon, Amadee Castenell, Franky Richard, Joseph Smith III, Mario Tio, Kenneth Williams, and Clyde Toval all contributing to the compositional framework.

A1. “Save the Last Dance” (3:31)
A2. “Hurry Down Sunset” (4:52)
A3. “You’re the One” (3:53)
A4. “Milky Way” (2:40)

B1. “Paradise” (2:41)
B2. “Groove City” (3:28)
B3. “Say Won’Tcha” (4:33)
B4. “Doc” (2:42)
B5. “Milky Way (Reprise)” (0:31)

Sessions occurred at Sea-Saint Studio, New Orleans, with Allen Toussaint producing and Bob Hughes engineering.

Milky Way features artwork by Acy Lehman, with a Saturn spaceship on the back cover and a Chocolate Milk coin on the inner sleeve.

Hipnotism

Chocolate Milk released their sixth album, Hipnotism, in June 1980 on RCA Victor.

The album expands the band’s sound into layered funk-pop, balancing electronic keyboards and programmed percussion with live instrumentation. Horns punctuate the arrangements with bright accents, flute and saxophone intertwine with bass and guitar lines, and subtle harp and string textures add depth to the rhythmic foundation.

Songwriting splits between outside writers George Goetzman and Mike Piccirillo, who contributed three tracks, and the six-member band, who wrote the remaining five collectively, including Amadee Castenell, Dwight Richards, Frank Richard, Joseph Smith III, Mario Tio, and Robert Dabon.

A1. “I’m Your Radio” (3:42)
A2. “Hipnotism” (3:50)
A3. “Forever and a Day” (3:19)
A4. “Hey Lover” (4:49)

B1. “Body Rhythm” (5:18)
B2. “I Can’t Believe (You Said) It’s Over” (4:05)
B3. “Would It Be Alright?” (3:29)
B4. “Dawn” (3:44)
B5. “Showdown” (3:34)

Sessions occurred at Studio Sound Recorders with George Tobin producing, Mike Piccirillo as associate producer, and engineering split between Ryan Ulyate and Ron Evans. Mastering took place at Capitol Mastering.

Hipnotism features art direction by Gribbitt! and Tim Bryant, with photography by Marv Lyons.

Blue Jeans

Chocolate Milk released their seventh album, Blue Jeans, in September 1981 on RCA Victor.

The album blends funk, R&B, and electronic textures, layering punchy horn stabs, saxophone lines, and percussive accents over fluid bass and guitar interplay. Keyboards, synthesizers, and additional rhythm parts from guest musicians enhance the arrangements, while vocal harmonies punctuate the tracks with rhythmic precision.

Songwriting divides between external writers Howard Redmon and Lee Hayes, who contributed two tracks, and the band members—Amadee Castenell, Dwight Richards, Frank Richard, Joe Smith III, Mario Tio, and Robert Dabon—who wrote the remaining songs collectively, with one track co-written by Allen Jones and additional collaborators, and a cover of Otis Redding’s “I’ve Been Loving You.”

A1. “Blue Jeans” (7:40)
A2. “Like My Lady’s Love” (4:04)
A3. “Running On Empty” (5:17)

B1. “Honey Bun” (4:58)
B2. “Let’s Go All the Way” (4:36)
B3. “I’ve Been Loving You” (6:25)
B4. “Video Queen” (4:48)

Sessions occurred at Ardent Studios with Allen A. Jones producing, Robert Jackson and William C. Brown III mixing, Henry Bush recording, and Greg Calbi mastering at Sterling Sound.

Blue Jeans features art direction by Ron Kellum, with photography by Nick Sangiamo (front cover) and Alan Messer (back cover). The album’s title track reached No. 15 on the R&B Singles chart.

Friction

Chocolate Milk released their eighth album, Friction, in November 1982 on RCA Victor.

The album fuses funk, R&B, and electronic textures with polished rhythm sections and layered horn arrangements. Keyboard lines and percussive accents punctuate the tracks, while saxophone and trumpet provide sharp, contoured phrases that interact with tight vocal harmonies and fluid bass lines.

Songwriting credits divide between the band members—Amadee Castenell, Dwight Richards, Franky J, Joe Foxx, Kim Guidry, Paul Michael Goods, Robert Dabon, and Damond Jacob—who composed all tracks collectively.

A1. “Take It Off” (5:44)
A2. “Who’s Getting It Now” (5:50)
A3. “Sweet Heat” (5:53)

B1. “Friction” (5:06)
B2. “Keep It Coming” (4:35)
B3. “Don’t Let Up” (4:34)
B4. “Don’t Make Me Wait” (4:49)

Sessions occurred at Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, with Allen A. Jones producing, Henry Bush and Robert Jackson recording, and Henry Bush, Robert Jackson, and William Brown III mixing. Herb Powers mastered the album at Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs.

Friction features art direction by Ron Kellum, with photography by Jim McGuire.

Discography: