THE SOS Band - Just Get Ready

Just Get Ready - Single
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Formed:

1977 in Atlanta, GA

Genre

R&B/Soul
Years Active:

'70s, '80s, '90s, '00s, '10s

The S.O.S. Band hit with a two-million-selling single, "Take Your Time (Do It Right)," their first time out, before having several hit singles written and produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The Atlanta, GA-borne band was started in 1977, when keyboardist/vocalist Jason Bryant, saxophonists Billy Ellis and Willie "Sonny" Killebrew, guitarist Bruno Speight, bassist John Alexander Simpson, drummer James Earl Jones III, and lead vocalist Mary Davis formed a group called Santa Monica that played at Atlanta nightclub the Regal Room. Their manager, Bunny Jackson-Ransom (who later managed Cameo), sent a demo to Clarence Avant, head of Tabu Records. After signing the band to Tabu, Avant suggested that the band work with songwriter/producer Sigidi Abdullah. Abdullah was curious as to why an Atlanta-based band named itself Santa Monica. Keyboardist Jason Bryant replied that the band had an enjoyable concert in Santa Monica, CA. Abdullah then came up with a new band name, the S.O.S. Band, with S.O.S. standing for "Sounds of Success." Abdullah produced and co-wrote "Take Your Time (Do It Right)" with Harold Clayton, which went platinum, parking at number one R&B for five weeks and peaking at number three pop on Billboard's charts in spring 1980. The debut LP, S.O.S., went gold, selling over 800,000 copies and holding the number two R&B spot for three weeks. While the band was on its world tour, trumpeter/vocalist/percussionist Abdul Ra'oof joined them. Their second album, Too, went to number 30 R&B in summer 1981. On the band's third LP, S.O.S. Band III, they worked with producer Leon Sylvers III and the Time's Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The breaking single, "High Hopes," hit number 25 R&B in the fall of 1982 while the album went to number 27 R&B in late 1982. On their fourth LP, On the Rise, Jam and Lewis took over the production chores. Scoring with the slammin' number two hit "Just Be Good to Me" and the number five beatbox ballad "Tell Me if You Still Care," On the Rise became their second gold album hitting number seven R&B in summer 1983. The formula continued working: Just the Way You Like It (including the number six R&B single "Just the Way You Like It") went to number six R&B in fall 1984 and Sands of Time (including the number two R&B hit "The Finest") went gold and hit number four R&B in spring 1986. Many of these releases as well as the sound of early releases of Chicago-borne house music helped to popularize the now-classic sound of Roland drum machine the TR-808. In 1987, vocalist Mary Davis left the S.O.S. Band to pursue a solo career. The band recorded two more albums: Diamonds in the Raw (number 43 R&B in fall 1989), produced by Eban Kelly and Jimi Randolph, and One of Many Nights, produced by Curtis Williams. In August 1994, former lead vocalist Mary Davis reunited with Abdul Ra'oof and Jason Bryant, and together they reconstructed a new band with the same funky S.O.S. sound, appearing on comedian Sinbad's HBO concert specials and Rhino's various-artists set United We Funk issued October 5, 1999. ~ Ed Hogan
#thesosband #oldschoolmusic #rnb

[mara]

SOS Band…the BEST thing ever put together. I have loved your music since 1980...Thank you for letting me grow up with you and to this day I enjoy every note of yours with wonderful memories. Kind regards from Germany Stuttgart, Mario
SOS Band…das BESTE was jemals zusammenkam. Ich liebe Eure Musik seit 1980…Danke dass ich mit Euch aufwachsen durfte und bis heute genieße ich jede Note von Euch mit wundervollen Erinnerungen. Liebe Grüße aus Germany Stuttgart, Mario

[dewaynekidd]

Damn that Mary Davis can sing! Undisputed Diva.. get well soon!

[danaterrell]

Love SOS!!! this section of R & B has been missing for quite some time.
Dana T.

[sherloncloud]

Mary sounds the same as when the hit the scene back when. SOS needs an Unsung episode if they have not already.Just Be Good TO US❤‍🔥💯

[THESOSBAND]

Thank you all for your support, we are working to complete a Album.

[kelvin]

Jam and Lewis still bangin them beats out as they always have

[AKAIGXF]

Respect from Romania, Bucuresti! Laurentiu - 1977

[MuzikJunky]

Mary’s voice is timeless. Strong and vulnerable at the same time—one of my favorites! Peace.

[larrybenny]

THANK YOU SOS BAND FOR ALL OF THE LOVE 💯❤️🌹💯

[lutzhack]

Fantastic please more more is Timeless Oldschool very to the 80 s

[marvingonzalez]

You can never mistake that voice for anyone else, recognize it instantly

[jessicarivera]

One of the best bands of ALL time They don’t have ANY bad songs !!!!

[soulbeat]

In 1986 I was able to experience a super live concert by The S.O.S.Band with Mary Davis.
I still listen to their music today and still see me at the concert.
Unfortunately, Mary Davis left the band in 1987 to pursue a solo career. In 1990 I got the band at the
Black Beat Night, experienced live. The gap left by Mary Davis cannot be easily filled.
Now that Mary's back, I hope so The S.O.S.Band rediscovers old successes.🙏🙏

[robertwalker]

One of the all time great Funk bands ever. SOS Band still rockin' the house!! Love It!!

[danaterrell]

Another contemporary classic!
dana t.

[fatima]

One of the "BADDEST' bands ever!❤❤🎉

[abayomiabi]

Mary Davis voice still in tact, halleluyah. God bless you guys, I've been following S.O.S since the early 80's, one of the best in the world.👏🏾

[SPAZZOID]

A good facsimile of their classic sound. Better than anything new on the radio.

[katjawegmann]

I like Mary Davis and SOS Band. Greatful Music. 📢🎶😍🎶📢

[mooseydeucy]

There is hope there is hope for mankind after all but the s.o.s. band back in the mix in 2023! We legendary DJs rejoice!