Customer Reviews

Shalamar - Greatest Hits [Right Stuff]

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The lovely and funky pop Shalamar produced in the early '80s still holds up amazingly well, and it's great to see a compilation that finally does them justice -- I can finally put to rest the original Solar compilation on cassette (taped from LP) that I used to play endlessly. Though a number of import compilations have popped up over the years, I usually found they omitted key songs and had too much of the group's later music, when the group essentially lost all its talent and reason for being.

The pop Shalamar produced at first sounds catchy but frothy, but listening to their entire string of hits and the transcendent voices of Hewett, Watley and Daniels, all driven by the propulsive, sexy Solar sound, make it clear this is music for the ages. Fans will quibble with a choice or omission (I wish "Full of Fire" and "Go For It" had been included, I prefer the mix of "Second Time Around" included on other compilations, and the last two songs don't mean much to me), but this pretty much includes almost all of the highlights. I'm especially happy with the choices from the group's last good album, "The Look", when they moved away from their traditional sound toward one more influenced by rock and synthesizers, and which tends to be overlooked by some traditional fans -- "You Can Count On Me", with its falsetto harmonies, is one of their best songs, an unbelievably beautiful ballad.

As a former DJ, I continue to listen to (and enjoy) tons of current music, from rap to techno to rock to jazz to R&B...Beasties, Beck, Moby, Slick Rick, R Kelly, Coltrane, etc etc But this music has a special place in my heart, and makes me very happy every time I listen to it, no matter what my mood. I'm thrilled such a sublime collection is on CD at last.

I recently got their just released double CD anthology. But this single CD really covered that 10-year period of hits that Shalamar had. They really created that classic slow Jam For the Lover in You that's still played to this day. I still like Second time Around, Take that to The Bank, Dancing in the Sheets, Games and others. But one of my favorites is I Can Make You Feel Good and its many bridges and peaks swinging all across the song. I can't believe that it peaked at no. 33--should have gone top 5 to me. Maybe they're not into those kinds of songs for radio. But this album was a benchmark to the successful future solo careers of Jody Watley (whom I still love) and Howard Hewitt (one of the best male R&B singers of the '80s). I remember when Solar Records had hits left and right with some 3 or 4 artists--were the Bad Boy and Motown of its time. They could still be doing it now if they had to. But Shalamar was a major part of that period with their different lineups. They made quality songs and hits and this album proves that.

I was a little disappointed with this compilation. True Shalamar was Jodi Whatley, Jeffrey Daniels, and Howard Hewitt. I guess I'm going to have to buy Three For Love. I was looking for the CD that was out in 1981 when I graduated from high school. That was all that we pumped at all the summer parties that year. The first song, I have no idea why it's even on here (and I read the inside jacket) and the last five songs mean nothing to me. It was okay. I just have always associated their sound with the first three memebers. Anything after that just didn't sound right to me.

Thanks to another reviewer [B.C.] for the heads-up regarding the fact that the songs collected here are the short single versions, rather than the album or extended 12" cuts. A major part of the greatness of the SOLAR label's output is the awesomeness, fun, and inventiveness of the fuller or extended club versions of their productions. This is especially true for Shalamar. To be fair, the number of selections here is generous; still, I would have prefered the 10 best-of-the-best in all their full-length glory. Truth be told, also, this is a greatest hits collection and just fine for those who are content with more selections in their shorter versions, and there is a SHALAMAR, THE 12" COLLECTION for those like me who prefer the full and extended versions. That set features 13 tracks.

The music deserves five stars & this collection contains all major & minor hits that the great group had, but the reason for the 3 stars is that all songs are in their 45 rpm versions! This may not bother some, but for the TRUE fan (like me), this will be very annoying.

For those of us who need something more, buy the 12" collection here on Amazon. This is an import from Canada & a little more expensive (about $$$), but MUCH better. This one also collects all the hits & all of the long versions at that. To have Uptown Festival in its' complete form after all these years is great!

See what kind of a fan you are & make your decision off of that. Hopefully you will make the 12" choice ...

i was so excited about finally getting this disc.this group had so many jams.howard hewitt,jody watley,jeffrey danials,mikki free all give it up on this must have fun set.roller skating jams.

I am a fan of Shalamar. Their music always take me back to the days when life was simpler and easier. I will recommend this collection to the casual fan. This collection has all their biggest and even some minor hits. When Shalamar was rocking the charts, I was only a small kid. But their music lives on in the me and puts a smile on my face. I don't need to collect all their albums, just give me their best. If you feel this way, then this collection is for you!

I LIKE THIS CD. IT CONTAINS ALL OF MY FAVORITE SONGS BY SHALAMAR. SO, IF YOU LIKE SHALAMAR THEN I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND YOU TO BUY THIS CD BECAUSE YOU WOULD ENJOY IT. I ENJOY IT . IF YOU LIKE OLD SKOOL R&B YOU WOULD ENJOY THIS ALBUM . IF YOU LIKE HOWARD HEWETT AND JODY WATLEY THEN YOU WOULD DEFINITELY LIKE THIS ALBUM.

I HAVE TO SAY THAT EVERY TIME I HEAR "SECOND TIME AROUND", I GET ALL GIDDY INSIDE. I ADORE SHALAMAR, WHENEVER I HEAR THEIR MUSIC, I AM BACK IN THE 6TH GRADE. THERE ISN'T MUCH MUSIC THAT CAN TAKE ME BACK TO A PLACE IN MY CHILDHOOD, BUT THIS SONG DOES THAT FOR ME. I REMEMBER LISTENING TO THEM, AND EVELYN CHAMPAGNE KING OVER, AND OVER, NO MATTER WHAT MOOD, I AM IN, I CHEER UP WHENEVER I HEAR 2ND TIME AROUND, AND "YOU MAKE MY LOVE COME DOWN" WORDS CAN'T EVEN EXPRESS MY JOY:o)

This is a fairly comprehensive collection of Shalamar's hits. "Take That to the Bank", "The Second Time Around" and "A Night to Remember" are all fantastic soulful dancefloor grooves that you can't help but love. Jody Watley was the vocalist who went on to have a short but successful solo career in the late 80's, but this stuff is even better and certainly more mellow. Sample the tracks above (perhaps not the forgetable "Uptown Medley")and I'm sure you will like!
Oh yeah and i agree the cover art is dreadful!!