Milk Chocolate Soul Anyone?

If you really know me well, you'll know that my all time favorite song is... "What you won't do for love" by Bobby Caldwell. I was a young kid when I heard this song for the first time, and when I did, I instantly fell in love with it. I recall that that same day, I ran to the corner bodega, bought a Maxwell 60 minute blank cassette tape, and sat by my stereo system with the dial on NY's CD 101.9, tape in the deck, and my finger on the record and pause buttons. That night, after several hours of being hunched over, with an ear next to the speaker, the DJ played the tune once again; its incomparable introduction playing on. I released the pause button, and the song became mine.

For years, I looked through library books, magazines, discographies, looking for this "black" R&B singer named Bobby Caldwell, who had this amazing soulful groove. Unfortunately, all the pictures I found, were of this Frank Sinatra look-alike, with a top hat, an elongated face, elongated nose, and baby blue eyes. All of my investigations, continued to lead me to this man. But my ignorant self would not accept it. I would tell myself, "Am I spelling his name wrong?" "This cat can't be him." This guy's WHITE". "Don't tell me they pulled a Millie-Vanilli over here?" "That would be a disgrace!"

Bobby Caldwell

As I continued in my stubbornness, I decided to take a trip to "The Wiz", and bring finality to this tormenting investigation. As I walked into the store, I quickly moved to the music section, immediately went to the "C's", for Caldwell, and, and, and..."Crap!" "It's this freaking guy again." I was pissed. I looked on and saw an old black man taking inventory. I figured he worked there because he had one of those WIZ polo's on, and I asked him for help. I said, "hey, you know that song," (i sang the first two lines) "I guess you'll wonder where I've been. I searched to find a love within..." The fellow says, "Of course, that's a classic! You're holding his records right there." Then he says, as to prove himself right, "would you like me to play it for you?" The old man went behind the counter, pulled out a demo of the same CD I was holding, took out the CD in slow-motion so I could see he wasn't fooling me, and placed it in the store's CD player. After a few silent seconds, my favorite tune of all-time, came over the loud speakers. I smiled, looked at the CD I was holding and said, "I'll take it!".

Yes, I felt like smacking myself. But, that incident taught me a great lesson, "NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S COVER". After this, I came across two other artists, the soulful Michael Mcdonald, and Teen 80's sensation Rick Astley. Two fella's who I could've sworn were black R&B/PoP singers, but this time, when I came across their pictures, I didn't fight it. I appreciated their talent, their sound, and added their music to my personal collection.

Michael McDonald


Rick Astley

Maybe you already know their music, but I still come across folks in different areas of the city, who can't believe what i'm telling them. "Yup, they're white". "Nope they're not black". And "Yes, their definitely some soulful dudes". But I like to call their music...
"MILK CHOCOLATE SOUL".

Check out a few videos, showing some of their greatest hits. Enjoy.

Bobby Caldwell: What You Don't For Love (not the best quality, but it's the original video)

Bobby Caldwell - What You Won't Do for Love
by 2fresh

Michael McDonald: Keep Forgetting
(sampled by Warren G for his Regulate record)


Rick Astley: Never Gonna Give You Up

Rick Astley - New Music - More Music Videos