Album

S.O.S.

The S.O.S. Band

1980 · Funk / Soul

5 collectors on Gatefold own this

S.O.S. by The S.O.S. Band

S.O.S. is a Soul & Funk album by The S.O.S. Band, originally released in 1980. On Gatefold: 50 pressings tracked, owned by 5 collectors.

About

The S.O.S. Band had scarcely left the clubs of Atlanta when their first single, “Take Your Time (Do It Right),” became a huge hit and shot the group to stardom at the outset of the '80s. While the band was composed of pickup musicians whose paths had crossed in Atlanta, S.O.S. were a collaboration among several industry talents. There was also executive producer Clarence Avant (who helped guide Bill Withers' career), freelance arranger and former Motown employee Sigidi Abdullah, and James Brown veteran Fred Wesley, who provided horn charts. In addition to “Take Your Time,” songs like “S.O.S. (Dit Dit Dit Dat Dat Dat Dit Dit Dit)” and “Love Won’t Wait for Love” helped bridge the sunny disco-funk of Earth, Wind & Fire to the harder, bass-oriented R&B of the early '80s. For all the band’s industry grooming, it’s easy to see that they cut their teeth on the club circuit. The performances contain an inclusive chemistry that's often missing from the overly manicured R&B of the post-disco years.

via Apple Music

The Clerk says

The Clerk knows this whole record — the pressing quirks, the credits, the take.

Start your shelf to read the full take →

Open this record in GatefoldThe full album page. Every pressing and its live price unlocks with Mosh Pit.→

Tracklist

Side A

  1. A1S.O.S. (Dit Dit Dit Dat Dat Dat Dit Dit Dit)5:43
  2. A2What's Wrong With Our Love Affair?4:51
  3. A3Open Letter4:29
  4. A4Love Won't Wait For Love5:11

Side B

  1. B1Take Your Time (Do It Right)7:30
  2. B2I'm In Love3:36
  3. B3Take Love Where You Find It5:55
  4. B4S.O.S. (Reprise)1:50

Sound DNA

  • Soul & Funk
  • Disco
  • polished
  • euphoric
  • funky

Notes from the original pressing. Later editions may differ.

Dedicated to Eric F. Ellis, born December 1, 1979.
"The earth has music for those who listen"
Some versions have no cat# printed on the spine. This was fixed by adding a very thin clear sticker with the numbers printed on it. Then covered with a bigger clear strip/sticker.
Promotional version has gold stamp on back of jacket "For Promotion Only Ownership Reserved by CBS Sale Is Unlawful"
This version has the The Mastering Labs logo stamped in the dead wax along with the Santa Maria pressing plant etch "S 1"

Credits

The people behind it.

Performers

  • Billy EllisKEYBOARDS KEYBOARDS, SAXOPHONE, VOCALS SAXOPHONE
  • Bruno SpeightGUITAR LEAD GUITAR
  • David Majal LiHORNS
  • Fred WesleyARRANGED BY, HORNS HORNS
  • Freddi RawlsBACKING VOCALS
  • Gertha SimmsBACKING VOCALS
  • James Earl Jones IIIDRUMS DRUMS, VOCALS VOCALS
  • Jason BryantKEYBOARDS KEYBOARDS, VOCALS VOCALS
  • Jeff ClaytonHORNS
  • John Alexander SimpsonBASS GUITAR BASS GUITAR, VOCALS BASS, VOCALS
  • Maceo ParkerHORNS
  • Mary DavisBACKING VOCALS PERCUSSION PERCUSSION, VOCALS
  • Michele MorganBACKING VOCALS
  • Munyungo JacksonPERCUSSION
  • Nolan SmithHORNS
  • Ray BrownHORNS
  • Richard GriffithHORNS
  • Rick GardnerHORNS

5 collectors on Gatefold own this · 50 pressings tracked on Gatefold

View this release on Discogs →

Start your shelf.

Track your pressings of S.O.S., get the Clerk's take, and see what the record is worth — free.

Start your shelf →

Free forever. Works with 10 records or 10,000.