Shalamar was a GROUP! Created by Dick Griffey & Don Cornelius, the most known lineup of Howard Hewett, Jeffrey Daniel & Jody Watley became instant trendsetters and fashion icons..& also gave us some of the funkiest music ever.

Their music has been sampled by a lot of great musicians. One of my favorites is “Bring It All To Me” by Blaque feat N’Sync. They sampled Shalamar’s “I Don’t Wanna Be the Last to Know.”

The 70s:

Albums Released: Uptown Festival, Disco Gardens, Big Fun.

Signed to the Soul Train Records label, Shalamar released their first two albums full of sweet tunes.

However, it was their “Big Fun” album that made the classic lineup a household name. Produced by Leon Sylvers III, Shalamar struck gold with their biggest hit single “The Second Time Around.”

The 80s:

Albums Released: Three for Love, Go for It, Friends, The Look, Heartbreak, Circumstantial Evidence.

One of my favorite albums from Shalamar is “Three for Love!” It’s a WHOLE GEM.

The group’s “Friends” album is another gem from them, with bops like “A Night to Remember,” “There It Is,” “I Don’t Wanna Be the Last to Know” & “I Can Make You Feel Good.”

The classic lineup’s 7th album “The Look” was the last to feature Jeffrey & Jody as they parted ways with the group.

With the new lineup consisting of Hewett, Micki Free & Delisa Davis, they had a hit with “Dancing In the Sheets,” & won a Grammy for “Don’t Get Stopped in Beverly Hills” from the Beverly Hills Cop!

Howard Hewett eventually left the group, & was replaced by Sydney Justin. They released an album “Circumstantial Evidence,” which had production from a young L.A. Reid & Babyface..but did not get the attention that the classic lineup received once.

Jody Watley has had a successful solo career for as a singer-songwriter, record producer for decades! Named by Billboard as top 25 of the most successful dance artists of all time, Jody ventured pop, R&B, electronic soul & dance.

After splitting with the group, Jody moved to England..where she recorded with British group’s Musical Youth, & a group who later became “Arts Of Noise.

Jody also recorded singles “Where The Boys Are,” & “Girls Night Out”

Jody’s eponymous debut album was released in 1987, where it cemented her status in the world of contemporary R&B, pop & dance music. Jody won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist In 1988, beating out a lot of the new artists at the time.

Jody’s second album “Larger Than Life” showcased her talent even more with the New Jack Swing influenced “Friends,” which featured Eric B. & Rakim. It is one of the earliest crossover songs that was heavily influenced by pop, rap & hip-hop. One of my favorite songs ever by the way!

Fast forward to today, Jody is still touring and recording. One of her most recent songs is “The Passion with the group SRL!

Look forward to an appreciation post from Jody Watley only to get a further glimpse into a solo career that is simply phenomenal. ❤️

The 90s:

Albums Released: Wake Up.

The final album from the group was influenced by the new Jack Swing genre, but was the group’s least successful album..& is seen as a result to the group’s career ending.

The classic lineup reunited for Babyface & LL Cool J on the cover of their hit song “This is for the Lover in You.”

Hewett & Daniel reformed Shalamar with Carolyn Griffey & are still a group to this day.

Shalamar will reign supreme for the classic lineup’s glory days.

It was a beautiful blend of talented musicians doing the damn thing. There will never be another. ❤️ -MJ.