Chocolate Milk - The Best Of (2002)

Chocolate Milk was formed in 1974 in New Orleans, LA after the emergence of the bands Kool & the Gang and Earth, Wind & Fire. The eight-piece band included lead singer Frank Richard, Saxophonist Amadee Castenell, Trumpeter Joseph Fox, Guitarist Mario Tio, Bassist Earnest Dabon, Pianist Robert Dabon and Drummer Dwight Richards. The band also worked as the studio band for songwriter and producer Allen Toussaint, following the tenure of The Meters as Toussaint's band. Chocolate Milk backed Toussaint as a live band and on his album New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (1976), and also recorded with Paul McCartney. The band then signed with RCA Records.

Their first of eight albums released on RCA was Action Speaks Louder Than Words, an album that included a political message. The title cut, "Action Speaks Louder Than Words" (1975), has a break beat that has been sampled numerous times in hip hop music, including "Move The Crowd" from the 1987 album Paid in Full by Eric B. & Rakim, and "Don't Let Your Mouth Write A Check Your Ass Can't Cash" (1991) by Stetsasonic.

The band became known for "Action Speaks Louder Than Words", and other hit songs: "Girl Callin'" (1978), "Say Won't Cha" (1979), and "I'm Your Radio" (1980). The band was also known for their versatility in musical styles, later adding elements of disco, prevalent on their 1981 hit, "Blue Jeans" which peaked at number fifteen on the soul chart. Chocolate Milk broke up in 1983 due to the waning popularity of disco, numerous personnel changes, and changes in producers after splitting with Toussaint in 1980