Choco-overload!:

If you are enjoying the One Too Many Chocolat album and the Hamster re-post, then here's a few more reasons to explore and discover this great talent. While most Japanese "pop" singers from this era rely on super slick production and overblown drama within the hooks of their songs, Chocolat seems more interested in eminating the radiance from the sounds of French pop and Beat Girls. Throw in a nod to David Axelrod, and you're left with some delicious and highly infectious records.

It's actually a shame that more people can't appreciate a timeless, well-written pop song that crosses over the lines of shallow intent and displays a full appreciation of melody, structure, and class. But for those who do love pure, beautiful pop with a generous dose of sweetness (this is Japanese pop, after all...), then Chocolat comes highly recommended!

I usually don't do my postings with multiple albums by the same artist, because i like to mix it up a bit from post to post, style-wise; but these albums are just too good to not share.

Chocolat a la Mode is her first ep from 1997. A good first start with some exceptional summertime mini-anthems.

Henry jumps us into 2001 with a more updated sound for Chocolat. With some production work by John McEntire (Tortoise), this one took a little bit of time to grow on me. The French pop sound is toned down a bit here for a slight more "dancey" feel that actually works quite well.

Chocolat Notes is the final album i will be posting from Chocolat because i feel that everyone kind of loses the plot on this one. It gets pretty bad with the inclusion of the horrid 80's song "Never Gonna Give You Up" (eeerrggg---couldn't someone have put a stop to that being on this record?) and although the rest of the album never sinks that low again, overall, it just sounds a bit confused and aimless. But check it oiut and see if it works for you. It's one of those records that i have been trying to like ever since i bought it. Since i am such a big Chocolat fan, i keep hoping that one day i will be enlightened to it's charms. oh well....there's always Hamster!