The Sos Band

Genres: funk, soul, Disco, 80s, rnb

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About The Sos Band

The S.O.S. Band (an abbreviation of Sounds of Success) is an American R&B and electro-funk group formed in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1977. The original line-up consisted of Mary Davis (lead vocals), Jason Bryant (keyboards), Billy Ellis and Willie “Sonny” Killebrew (horns), Bruno Speight (guitar), John Simpson (bass) and James Earl Jones III (drums). The group achieved commercial success with their debut single "Take Your Time (Do It Right)" in 1980, which reached number one on the US R&B chart and number three on the Billboard Hot 100. Their self-titled debut album "S.O.S." (1980) was also certified gold. In the early 1980s, their sound developed further through collaborations with producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, resulting in a series of successful singles including "Just Be Good to Me", "Tell Me If You Still Care" and "The Finest". The band was formed in 1977 under the name Sounds of Santa Monica and performed at venues in Atlanta, including the Regal Room nightclub. Their manager, Bunnie Jackson-Ransom, secured a recording contract with Tabu Records, whose head Clarence Avant encouraged the group to work with producer Sigidi Abdullah. The band subsequently adopted the name The S.O.S. Band, with the acronym standing for Sounds of Success. Their debut single "Take Your Time (Do It Right)", produced and co-written by Sigidi Abdullah and Harold Clayton, spent five weeks at number one on the US R&B chart in 1980. The album "S.O.S." sold in excess of 800,000 copies and reached number two on the R&B chart. During this period, Abdul Ra’oof joined the group as a trumpeter, vocalist and percussionist. Their second album "Too" (1981) reached the top 40 of the R&B chart. On their third album "III" (1982), the band worked with producer Leon Sylvers III as well as Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The single "High Hopes" reached the R&B top 30. Jam and Lewis assumed a greater production role on the album "On the Rise" (1983), which included the singles "Just Be Good to Me" and "Tell Me If You Still Care". The album was certified gold and reached the top 10 of the R&B chart. Subsequent releases included "Just the Way You Like It" (1984), which reached the top 10 on the R&B chart, and "Sands of Time" (1986), which also achieved gold certification and included the hit single "The Finest". The band’s recordings from this period contributed to the wider use and popularity of the Roland TR-808 drum machine in R&B and electro-funk music. In 1986, Mary Davis left the group to pursue a solo career. The band contributed the song "It's Time to Move" to the soundtrack of the film "Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol" (1987). Their seventh studio album, "Diamonds in the Raw" (1989), featured lead vocals by Chandra Currelley and Fredi Grace and reached the R&B chart. During its recording, founding member Billy Ellis died. The follow-up album "One of Many Nights" (1991), with Chandra Currelley as lead vocalist, did not chart. Davis later rejoined the group for live performances. In 2021, Mary Davis temporarily stepped back from performing following a stroke, but later returned to selected live appearances. In October of that year, she performed with original and later members of the group at a birthday celebration for James Earl Jones III. Studio albums S.O.S. (1980) Too (1981) III (1982) On the Rise (1983) Just the Way You Like It (1984) Sands of Time (1986) Diamonds in the Raw (1989) One of Many Nights (1991)

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