Released: August 1978
Shalamar’s second album has a completely different lineup than the people who sang on the first. Don’t worry, this is a great thing since Jody Watley, Jeffrey Daniel, and Gerald Brown knew what they were doing.
This sophomore album opens with “Tossing Turning and Swinging” which initially threatens to be more of the same miserableness from Uptown Festival. However, the improvement in vocalists helps steady this song. As does a more lively and robust production instead the bargain-bin quality of Uptown Festival.
Disco Gardens clearly got some actual investment and “Tossing Turning and Swinging” proves the point. It’s still not a good song, but it’s at least a fun song, so I guess that makes it in fact good? Let’s call it good fun.
“Shalamar Disco Gardens” again is worrisome. Just look at that title. Would you go into this with any high hopes?
Well whatever your hopes, this song delivers some funk for Shalamar. Albeit, disco-funk, but it’s a decent song. Importantly, the album is gaining some steam instead of meandering about.
Now comes the LP’s undisputed high point and Shalamar’s first classic: “Take That To The Bank”.
This is the first definitive glimpse into the slew of disco-pop-soul confections Shalamar would deliver from 1979-1982. Clever lyrics, catchy hooks left and right, a solid bass, and effective harmonies that are more complex than they first appear.
Also there’s a gliding extended instrumental section that’s not extended enough and makes me wish this song was three minutes longer. This is what the Motown Sound would actually be if transported to the disco era instead of that Uptown Festival dreck.
Thankfully, the song was enough of a hit (#11 R&B, #79 pop, #20 UK) to keep Shalamar going.
“Stay Close to Love” slows things down for all the lovers in the house. It’s not a full-blown slow jam, but instead is a stepper’s tune. A very solid stepper’s tune.
“Leave It All Up To Love” delivers some R&B. You can easily see this thing being further stripped down to gut bucket blues. If only they coulda got B.B. King on guitar.
Finally, Shalamar engages in an outright ballad, “Lovely Lady”. It is dependable, but they’ve got a ways to go in this department. Rest assured they would get there. The album closes on the fluffy “Cindy, Cindy”.
ALBUM GRADE: C+
I’ma be generous and give this a C+ cuz I think the sum is more than the parts and is only 31 minutes. An album of similar quality lasting 40 minutes woulda got a C from me. Never underestimate the value of runtime.
Tellingly, the album’s two best songs were co-written by Leon Sylvers. He’d get a lot more writting work on the next album, Shalamar’s first blockbuster.
To conclude, a good listen for fans of 70s soul/disco/pop, while “Take That To The Bank” should go on any generalist’s compilation of 70s music.
SONG SCORES
Tossing Turning and Swinging: 6/10
Shalamar Disco Gardens: 6/10
Take That To The Bank: 8/10
Stay Close to Love: 7/10
Leave It All Up To Love: 7/10
Lovely Lady: 6/10
Cindy, Cindy: 5.5/10