In the '70s R&B became much more album-minded than it had been in the '50s and '60s, when LPs seemed like an afterthought for many R&B artists. Singles were still important -- very important, in fact -- but as the '70s progressed, R&B artists became more and more interested in getting listeners to buy their albums as well as their singles. A killer single could entice the listener into acquiring the LP, but if the album on the whole fell short of a single's excellence, the listener was bound to be disappointed. That was the case with the Eleventh Hour, which enjoyed a major hit in 1975 with the suggestive "Hollywood Hot." The single was a gem, although the rest of the Hollywood Hot LP (which didn't come out until early 1976) isn't as strong. Produced by Bob Crewe -- who co-wrote Labelle's 1974 smash "Lady Marmelade" and co-wrote most of the songs on this album -- Hollywood Hot boasts a stunning title song, but is, for the most part, merely competent. It isn't a bad album, however, other than the title track, it isn't a great one either. The Eleventh Hour was a talented group that specialized in gritty, rock-influenced soul along the lines of Ike & Tina Turner and "It's Your Thing"-era Isley Brothers. Unfortunately, the group fails to live up to its potential on the uneven Hollywood Hot.

As Funk My Soul once said:

I began DJ’ing in 1975 at an underage 15yrs. That same year I was absolutely blown away by the release of a masterpiece from Capital Records!! I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! I knew of the band from their original version of “Lady Marmelaide” but this was absolutely mind blowing!! The album, Eleventh Hour’s “Hollywood Hot”. The ultimate construction of soulful high end Brassy, almost orchestral, 11 to 18 piece preponderate session muso’s and seasoned pro “Live” atists. The bassline and drumbeat rolls along like only great Funk can do. Along with the synths, the brass and 12 real vocals the complete “A” side of the album has it’s very own “Funk Party” going on with the uninterupted medley “Sock It To Me“,”It’s Your Thing“, “Hollywood Hot” and “Bumper To Bumper“….
This album keeps you captive to it’s Black Vinyl Factory Of Funk spinning on it’s Technics 1200 “Big Wheel of Steel” where it belongs booming out pure Faultless and HD Fidelity Filtered Funkd Up Funk!!!!hollywood hot 45 rpm single…… In my opinion and quite a few DJ’s here in Melbourne, Australia, after 36yrs it still remains the quintessential Funk album. Of course I must make mention of more a soulful “B” side and Eleventh Hour’s updated version of their earlier “Lady Marmelaide”…Topping off the brilliance with “Get It On Or Get It Off“, and “You’ll Never Know ’til You Try“………..