S.O.S. Band, The

Profile: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 Killebrew, guitarist Geno Speight, bassist John 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 Adullah. Adullah 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. Adullah then came up with a new band name, the S.O.S. Band, with S.O.S. standing for "Sounds of Success."

Adullah 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, SOS, 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, SOS 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 went to number six R&B in fall 1984 (included the number six R&B single "Just the Way You Like It") and Sands of Time went gold and hit number four R&B in spring 1986 (included the number two R&B hit "The Finest"). Many of these releases as well as the sound of early releases of Chicago-born 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, together they reconstructed a new band with the same funky SOS sound, appearing on comedian Sinbad's HBO concert specials and Rhino's new music various artists set, United We Funk issued October 5,1999.
URLs:http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/S.O.S%20Band.html
Members:Billy Ellis, Bruno Speight, James Earl Jones III, Jason Bryant, John Alexander Simpson, Mary Davis, Penny Ford, Willie Killebrew
Name Variations: All | S.O.S. Band, The | S.O.S. | S.O.S. Band | SOS Band | SOS Band, The
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Releases:
Tomate Tu Tiempo (Hazlo Bien) / Take Your Time (Do It Right) (12", Red)   Columbia 1979
Love Is The Message / Take Your Time (Do It Right) (12")   Singles, Ep's & eXhits 1980
S.O.S. (Album) ◄ (7 versions)   Tabu Records ... 1980
S.O.S. (Dit Dit Dit Dash Dash Dash Dit Dit Dit) (12")   Tabu Records 1980
S.O.S. (Dit Dit Dit Dash Dash Dash Dit Dit Dit) / Open Letter (7")   Tabu Records 1980
Take Your Time (Do It Right) ◄ (12 versions)   Tabu Records ... 1980
What's Wrong With Our Love Affair? (7")   Tabu Records 1980
Do It Now (12")   Tabu Records 1981
Do It Now (Part 1) / Do It Now (Special Mix) (7", Promo)   Tabu Records 1981
There Is No Limit / You (12", Promo)   Tabu Records 1981
Too (Album) ◄ (4 versions)   Tabu Records ... 1981
Can't Get Enough (12")   Tabu Records 1982
Groovin' (That's What We're Doin') ◄ (2 versions)   Tabu Records 1982
High Hopes (12")   Tabu Records 1982
High Hopes / Good & Plenty (12")   Tabu Records 1982
S.O.S. III ◄ (3 versions)   Tabu Records 1982
For Your Love (Extended Version) ◄ (3 versions)   Tabu Records 1983
Just Be Good To Me ◄ (15 versions)   Tabu Records ... 1983
On The Rise (Album) ◄ (7 versions)   Tabu Records ... 1983
Take Your Time (Do It Right) / Just Be Good To Me (12", Promo)   Tabu Records 1983
Tell Me If You Still Care (Maxi) ◄ (4 versions)   Tabu Records 1983
Break Up [Remix] (Maxi) ◄ (4 versions)   Tabu Records 1984
Just The Way You Like It (Album) ◄ (5 versions)   Tabu Records 1984
Just The Way You Like It (Maxi) ◄ (9 versions)   Tabu Records ... 1984
No One's Gonna Love You ◄ (3 versions)   Tabu Records 1984
The Finest (Maxi, Single) ◄ (10 versions)   Tabu Records ... 1984
Weekend Girl ◄ (2 versions)   Tabu Records 1984
Borrowed Love (Maxi) ◄ (5 versions)   Tabu Records 1986
Even When You Sleep ◄ (2 versions)   Tabu Records 1986
Juicy Fruit / Just Be Good To Me (12")   Old Gold (2) 1986
No Lies ◄ (3 versions)   Tabu Records 1986
Sands Of Time (Album) ◄ (7 versions)   Tabu Records ... 1986
No Lies (Special Remix & Dub Version) (12", Maxi)   Tabu Records 1987
Take Your Time (Do It Right) / I Didn't Mean To Turn You On (12")   Tabu Records 1987
The S.O.S. Band 1980-1987: The Hit Mixes (Comp) ◄ (2 versions)   Tabu Records 1987
Take Your Time (Do It Right) / I Didn't Mean To Turn You On (CD, Mini)   CBS 1988
The Official Bootleg Megamix (12")   Tabu Records 1988
The Official Bootleg Megamix (CD, Mini)   Tabu Records 1988
Diamonds In The Raw (Album) ◄ (4 versions)   Tabu Records ... 1989
I'm Still Missing Your Love (Maxi) ◄ (4 versions)   Tabu Records 1989
In One Go ◄ (2 versions)   Tabu Records 1989
Just The Way You Like It (CD, Mini)   Tabu Records 1989
Secret Wish (Maxi) ◄ (2 versions)   Tabu Records 1989
The Official Megamix Part 2 (Maxi-Version) (12", Mixed)   CBS, Tabu Records 1989
Play That Funky Music / Just Be Good To Me / Take Your Time (Do It Right) (12", RE)   Unidisc 1990
Put Our Hands Together/Crazy/Weekend Girl (CD, Maxi)   Old Gold (2) 1990
The Finest / Just The Way You Like It (12")   Old Gold (2) 1990
The Very Best Of (CD)   Arcade 1990
Low Rider / Sometimes I Wonder (12", Promo)   A&M Records 1991
One Of Many Nights ◄ (3 versions)   Tabu Records 1991
Sometimes I Wonder (Maxi) ◄ (3 versions)   Tabu Records 1991
The Best Of The S.O.S. Band ◄ (2 versions)   Tabu Records 1995
Greatest Hits (CD, RM)   Virgin Records America, Inc. 2004
S.O.S. III (CD, Album, RE, RM)   Finesse Records (2) 2007
Don't Wear It Out / Just Be Good To Me (12", Promo)   Tabu Records  
Reggae Night / No Lies / Never Too Much (12")   Unidisc  
Take Your Time Do It Right / Just Be Good To Me (12", RE)   Peter's Oldies Trax  
Appears On:
Nightlife II (2xLP, Album, Gat) The Finest Masterpiece Music Productions Ltd 1989
Tracks Appear On:
Dancer: The Danceable Side Of Today's Rock (LP, Comp) Take Your TIme (Do It ... K-Tel 1981
Break Dance - Don't Stop The Body Rock (LP) Just Be Good To Me CBS 1983
Dance Mix - Dance Hits Volume 2 (LP, Comp) Just Be Good To Me CBS 1983
Dance, Dance, Dance! (LP) Just Be Good To Me CBS 1983
Discoh '83 (LP) Just Be Good To Me Vip Records 1983
Flash Black (LP) Just Be Good To Me CBS 1983
Street Sounds Edition 6 (LP, Comp) Tell Me If You Still Care Street Sounds 1983
Street Sounds Edition 6 (Cass, Comp) Tell Me If You Still Care Street Sounds 1983
Street Suite (2xLP, Comp) Groovin' (That's What ... CBS 1983
Breakin' It Up (LP) Just Be Good To Me Concept Records Pty Limited 1984
Die Super Smash Hits '84 (2xLP, Comp) Just The Way You Like It CBS 1984
Disco Superstars (2xLP) Just Be Good To Me Ronco, Ronco, K-Tel International (USA), Inc. 1984
Don't Stop Dancing - 18 Electric Hits (LP) Just Be Good To Me Telstar 1984
Electric Boogie - Body Moves (LP, Comp) Just Be Good To Me K-Tel International (USA), Inc. 1984
Love Ballads (7xCass, Comp, Ltd + Box) Weekend Girl Street Sounds 1984
September 84 - The Mixes (12") Just The Way You Like ... DMC 1984
Street Sounds Edition 11 (LP, Comp) Weekend Girl Street Sounds 1984
Street Sounds Edition 11 (Cass, Comp) Weekend Girl Street Sounds 1984
The Hits Album (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Just Be Good To Me WEA International Inc. ... 1984
Volume 7 Program 2 (2x12") Take Your Time (Do It ... Disconet Program Service 1984
September 85 Mixes (12") Just The Way You Like ... DMC 1985
Street Sounds Edition 12 (LP, Comp) No One's Gonna Love Yo... Street Sounds 1985
Street Sounds Edition 12 (Cass, Comp) No One's Gonna Love Yo... Street Sounds 1985
The Artists Volume 3 (2xLP, Comp) High Hopes, Take Your ... Street Sounds 1985
The Artists Volume 3 (2xCass, Comp) High Hopes, Take Your ... Street Sounds 1985
10 By 12 A Bad Album (LP) The Finest Portrait 1986
Black Magic (2xLP, Comp) Borrowed Love CBS 1986
Das Sommer Hits Album (LP, Comp) The Finest CBS, WEA Musik GmbH 1986
December 86 - Previews (LP, Mixed) Borrowed Love, The Finest DMC 1986
Flash Black (LP) Tell Me If You Still Care Epic 1986
Hits Album 5 (2xLP) Borrowed Love WEA Musik GmbH 1986
Hits For Lovers (LP) Just Be Good To Me CBS Records New Zealand 1986
May 86 - International (12") Just The Way You Like ... DMC 1986
May 86 - The Mixes (12") The Finest DMC 1986
Midnight Love (28 Beautiful Love Songs) (Cass, Comp) Tell Me If You Still Care Arcade 1986
Mike's Mixes The Finest In Black Music Today! (12", Promo, Ltd) The Finest, Just Be Go... CBS 1986
Music Gala: 28 Exclusive Tophits (2x12") Borrowed Love Arcade 1986
Series 5, Issue 5 (2x12", Promo) The Finest (Edit) Hot Tracks 1986
The Chart '86 (Comp) ◄ (3 versions) The Finest Telstar 1986
Golden Love Songs Volume 6 (LP, Comp) Tell Me If You Still Care Arcade 1987
Hot Remix (Comp) ◄ (3 versions) The Finest (Extended V... Arcade 1987
Mike's Mixes (LP, Ltd, Promo) No Lies CBS 1987
On The Upbeat (LP) No Lies Epic 1987
Police Academy 4: Citizens On Patrol (LP) It's Time To Move Motown 1987
Police Academy 4: Citizens On Patrol (LP) It's Time To Move Motown 1987
Sommer Smash Hits (CD, Comp) No Lies CBS 1987
The Rhythm Of The Night (CD, Comp) The Finest K-Tel 1987
25 Ans De Musique De Pop 1983 ◄ (2 versions) Just Be Good To Me CBS ... 1988
25 Jaar Popmuziek - 1983 (2xLP, Album) Just Be Good To Me CBS Special Products 1988
Dance Classics - Volume 3 (2xLP) Take Your Time (Do It ... Arcade 1988
Dance Classics - Volume 5 (CD) Take Your Time (Do It ... Arcade 1988
June 88 - Mixes 1 (12") Weekend Girl DMC 1988
Nite Flite (LP) Weekend Girl CBS 1988
Best Of 12 Inch Gold (Volume 6) (Comp) ◄ (3 versions) Weekend Girl Old Gold (2) 1989
Best Of 12 Inch Gold (Volume 9) (Comp) ◄ (3 versions) Just Be Good To Me Old Gold (2) 1989
Clubhits '89 Volume 2 (CD) I'm Still Missing Your... Arcade 1989
Dance Classics The Ballads Volume 4 (CD) Tell Me If You Still Care Arcade 1989
Formel Eins - Spring Fever (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) The Official Bootleg M... EMI Electrola 1989
Hits Of The Seventies Volume One (Cass) Take Your Time, Do It ... Quality Records / Quality Music & Video 1989
Maxi Dance Pool Vol. 2 - Musikladen Eurotops (2xCD) The Official Bootleg M... EMI Electrola 1989
Mixed Masters - The Compilation - Volume 1 (CD, Comp) Take Your Time (Do It ... CBS 1989
Mixed Masters - The Compilation - Volume 6 (CD, Comp) No Lies CBS 1989
Nite Flite 2 (Cass) Just The Way You Like It CBS 1989
Remixed Records 34 (2x12") Just Be Good To Me Remixed Records 1989
100 Dance Hits Of The Eighties ◄ (2 versions) The Finest Connoisseur Collection 1990
Black Magic - The Most Beautiful Black And Soul Ballads (2xLP) Just Be Good To Me Dino Music (2), TELDEC 1990
Black Magic 2 - The Most Beautiful Black And Soul Ballads (2xLP) Just The Way You Like It Dino Music (2), TELDEC 1990
Club Classics (2xLP, Comp) Just The Way You Like It Arcade 1990
Club Classics Volume 2 (CD) Just The Way You Like It Arcade 1990
Club Epic - A Collection Of Classic Dance Mixes - Volume 1 (CD, Comp) Take Your Time (Do It ... Epic Dance 1990
Dance Classics - The Remixes Volume 2 (2xLP) Just Be Good To Me (Re... Arcade 1990
Dance Classics - The Remixes Volume 3 (CD) Just Be Good To Me (Re... Arcade 1990
Dance Music 1990 (2xCD) Just Be Good To Me Sonocord 1990
Nite Flite 3 (Cass) Just Be Good To Me CBS 1990
The Denniz PoP Classic Remixes (12") Just Be Good To Me Remixed Records 1990
Mega-Mixx Issue 8 (2x12", Promo) Just Be Good To Me Mega-Mixx Industries Ltd. 1991
Music Factory Mastermix - Issue 63 (CD, P/Mixed) Weekend Girl Music Factory 1991
Billboard Top Hits - 1980 (CD) Take Your Time (Do It ... Rhino Entertainment Company 1992
Dance Classics Gold - The Ballads (2xCD) Tell Me If You Still Care Arcade 1992
The Wind Down Zone Volume 2 (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) No One's Gonna Love You Elevate 1993
Music Factory Mastermix - Issue 110 (CD, Comp) The Finest Music Factory 1994
Wicked Mix - Classic Collection 9 (12", P/Mixed, Promo, Yel) Take Your Time Wicked Mix 1994
Remix Culture 155 (2x12") Borrowed Love (Hani Re... DMC 1995
CD Collection 160 (CD, Comp) Just Be Good To Me, Th... DMC 1996
Kim Schumacher - Stemmen Fra 80'erne (2xCD, Album) Just Be Good To Me MCA Music Entertainment (Denmark) A/S 1996
The Megamixes 160 (2x12") Just Be Good To Me, Th... DMC 1996
Eighties Soul Weekender 3 (2xCD, Comp) Just Be Good To Me Dino Entertainment 1997
Eighties Soul Weekender 3 (2xCass, Comp) Just Be Good To Me Dino Entertainment, Pump Records 1997
Ferry Maat's Soulshow - The Eighties Part 1 (2xCD) Take Your Time (Do It ... EVA 1997
54 ◄ (2 versions) Take Your Time (Do It ... Mushroom Records ... 1998
54 - Music From The Miramax Motion Picture (2xCD, Comp) Take Your Time (Do It ... Tommy Boy Music 1998
Remixed Records 96 (CD, Comp) Just Be Good To Me Remixed Records 1998
Disco Box Vol. 5 - Discomania (CD) Take Your Time, Do It ... Disco Box 2000
Hang All DJ's Volume 2 (CD) Just Be Good To Me Head Traxx Inc. 2003
The Best Club Anthems 80s Classics (3xCD, Comp) Just Be Good To Me (Al... Virgin Records Ltd., Virgin Records Ltd. 2006
The Commercial Collection 277 (2xCD) Weekend Girl DMC 2006
The Ben Liebrand Grandmix 89 (CDr, Comp, Mixed, RP) I'm Still Missing You DMC 2007
The Original Multiplayer Soundsystem© (CD, Mixed, Comp + 2xCD, Comp) Just Be Good To Me (Lo... EMI Music (Belgium) 2007
Commercial Collection 304 (2xCD, Comp) Just Be Good To Me DMC 2008
Sci-Fi-Lo-Fi Vol. 2 (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) Just The Way You Like ... Soma Quality Recordings 2008
Classic Cuts Remastered 9 - Classic Soul (CD, Comp) Just Be Good To Me (7"... Music Factory  
Disco Roller (LP, Comp) Take Your Time (Do It ... Arcade Deutschland GmbH  
Gold Volume 4 Mixed Emotions (CD, Comp) Weekend Girl Music Factory  
Just Be Good To Me / Just A Touch / Circles (LP, Promo) Just Be Good To Me (Cl... Dance Classics (4)  
Remix Hits (LP, Comp) The Finest RCA  
The Best Of Ballads (CD) Weekend Girl DMC  
The Glamorous Life (CDr, Mixed) Just Be Good To Me, Th... Not On Label  
The Ultimix Medley Collection (Comp) ◄ (2 versions) No Lies Ultimix  
The Very Best Of Hot Tracks Volume 5 (CD, Comp) The Finest Hot Tracks  
Ultimix 53 (3x12") Take Your Time (Do It ... Ultimix  
Wicked Mix 31 (12", Promo) Take Your Time (Do It ... Wicked Mix  
Unofficial Releases:
Bits & Pieces III - Let's Do It (12", Mixed) Take Your Time, Take Y... Not On Label 1980
Break Down (12", Mixed) Take Your Time, Take Y... Alto Nostalcià 1980
Breakdown (12", S/Sided, Mixed, blu) Take Your Time, Take Y... Rollo Records 1980
Circus Medley - Apollo Bongo - Funky Congretation (12", P/Mixed) Take Your Time Headline Records 1980
Dust Mix / Bridge Mix (12", Mixed) Take Your Time Anjou 1980
Flower Power / In The Bottle ◄ (2 versions) Take Your Time RPM Records (9) ... 1980
Hunks & Chunks Vol. 11 (12", Mixed) Take It To The Top Mix Master 1980
I Feel Love / Master Medley / Put Your Body In It (12") Take Your Time (Do It ... C.S. 1980
Let's Do It In The 80's Great Hits - Echo Beat (12", Mixed) Take Your Time Alto Passion 1980
The Godfather (12", Mixed) Take Your Time (Do It ... Future Records (5) 1980
Another One Madly '81 / Disco Tops Part 1 & 2 (12") Take Your Time Disco Special 1981
Bandit II (12", Mixed) Take Your Time Manhattan 1981
MP (12", S/Sided, Mixed) Take Your Time, Take Y... Not On Label 1981
Broadway 2 (12", Mixed) Take Your Time, Take Y... Not On Label 1982
Get Down And Boogie (12", Mixed) Take Your Time Smash Records (6) 1982
Le-10 (12", Mixed) Take Your Time (Do It ... Bizarre Records (2) 1982
Dedicated To New Lenny's Club (12", Ltd, Mixed) Just Be Good To Me Phonomix 1983
Studio 5 Dance Party Mix (12", Mixed) Just Be Good To Me Hottrack Records 1983
DJ Computer (12", Mixed, Mixed, Blu) Just The Way You Like It Not On Label 1984
From Germany (12", Mixed) Just Be Good To Me, No... Tutu Records 1985
Disco Breaks '86-2 (12", Mixed) The Finest KTT Records 1986
Devastator Mixx (12", S/Sided, Mixed) Take Your Time Nightlife 1988
Untitled (12") Take Your Time. Do It ... Dance Masters 1996
Exit EP No. 5 (12") Just Be Good Not On Label 2001
Kurupt EP (12") Stringer Be Good Not On Label (Illicit Remix Series) 2002
Revulsion V.2 (12") Take Your Time Yeah Playable Music 2004
Rich Pickings Volume VII (12") Just Be Good To Me (Sp... Not On Label (Rich Pickings Series) 2004
Black Sheep Collection (2xLP, Comp) Take Your Time Do It R... Strictly Breaks Records 2006
Classic Jams (12") Take Your Time House Party  
Dance Classics Volume Six (12") Just Be Good To Me (Vo... C & P Dance Classics  
House Party Vol. Nine (12") No One's Gonna Love You House Party  
Master Dance Classics (12") Take Your Time, Do It ... Master Dance Classics  
Mega 42 Mix / Sound Of Success '87 (12", Mixed) Borrowed Love, Just Th... Not On Label  
The Ben Liebrand Grandmix 89 ◄ (2 versions) I'm Still Missing You Not On Label  
The R&B Acappellas (LP) Borrowed Love (Acappella) Not On Label  
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