Click below for a Shalamar sample:

Right In the Socket

Take That to the Bank

They were created out of necessity as Simon Soussan's discofied Motown Medley, "Uptown Festival," broke out in clubs in 1977 and he needed someone to front the act for public appearances.   Gerald Brown, Jody Watley, and Jeffrey Daniel were thrown together without ever having met, the latter two having been discovered dancing on Soul Train.

After the first of many bouts with turmoil, Howard Hewett was introduced as the lead singer in 1978, as Brown was booted out. This lineup began a number of hits with "Take That to the Bank" that would extend up to 1982's "The Lover In You." Thanks to  Leon Sylvers III's production, they became the perfect vehicle for the sleek disco-soul sound Solar was trying so hard to perfect and they quickly became the label's biggest act.

They ended up imploding after "Lover," with each member desiring more input into the band.  Multiple editions of the group made noise with "Dancing In the Sheets," "Dead Giveaway" and "Games" in the mid 1980s before riding into the sunset for good after a 1990 release.

Shalamar's Deepest Grooves

Uptown Festival (Solar, 1977)

Disco Gardens (Solar, 1978)

Big Fun (Solar, 1979)

Three For Love (Solar, 1981)

Friends (Solar, 1982)

Greatest Hits (Right Stuff, 1999)
Basically all the Shalamar you need, as they were never going to be confused for an album act.  More than enough hits to get your party going.

Copyright ©2001 B. Graff.  All rights reserved.