Those in the know may have recognized Angela Johnson as the female voice from Cooly's Hot Box (click here to read the review for Take It) or may remember her 12" Won't Say Sorry on Purpose/SoleMusic from some years ago. Luckily for those who missed this 12" Won't Say Sorry is included on They Don't Know. But with 14 songs (plus an intro) on her debut Angela has a lot more to offer. And what a pleasent album it is! Musicwise it's not too dissimiliar to the music we all know (and love) from Cooly's Hot Box, but here you have just Angela singing all songs that she wrote all by herself. As if that isn't enough, Angela also produced nearly all songs and did the bass and drum programming and played the keys.
What we get is a great mid- and downtempo soul album with no dull track on it. Just listen to Sad Days which makes you ask if Angela's sad days sounds like this what a great time must she have on her good days.
Although it's really hard to pick out a standout cut, my favourite song is the ballad Cryin' Over U which just oozes class and perfection. Another fine ballad is Call where Angela shows that she can handle a more diva-like song.
Don't Wanna Be The One with it's jazzy more uptempo feel is another winner as is the simple but effective I Still Care.
But like mentioned earlier there's really no bad song here. Definitely already one of the albums of 2002.