kooley high

What's the recipe for kool? Take a bit of Outkast and Lupe Fiasco, add a dash of old school R&B, a Grammy-winning producer, throw in some home-grown Raleigh funk and stand back: Kooley High (a reference to the 1975 film, Cooley High) is on the scene and ready to make some noise with its new EP, Summer Sessions. The EP sports an eclectic mix of beats (think a little MF Doom) and soulful lyrics to chronicle the group's imminent rise.

The EP starts with "Too Late," a forceful declaration of the band's presence on the music scene. With its easy beats, the song grooves nicely along to the graceful backdrop of Carole King's 1971 hit, "It's Too Late."

Kooley High then kicks out "Kool with It" a love song reminiscent of Andre 3000. Using the same laid back beats and funky vocals, this song is a duet between two of the groups three "rhyme spitters." In addition to the three vocalists Kooley High has two producers who add to both its depth and repertoire.

Perhaps the most notable song on the EP is its sixth track, "Water" It is one of two produced by 9th Wonder, the local, Grammy-winning producer who has worked with the likes of Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige. The experience shows in the both the background music and the lyrics, which contain references ranging from Dr. Martin Luther King to Finding Nemo.

It isn't surprising to find such a quality group on the up and up from the Triangle area-this is a rich region for creative art of all kinds. With such successful local acts like Stella by Starlight hitting the rock scene, Kooley High will make sure the hip-hop vibe doesn't lack behind.