Search - Shalamar :: Shalamar - Greatest Hits [Right Stuff]

Not Perfect, But Pretty Darn Close

02/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The lovely and funky pop Shalamar produced in the early '80s still holds up amazingly well, and it's great to see a compilation that finally does them justice -- I can finally put to rest the original Solar compilation on cassette (taped from LP) that I used to play endlessly. Though a number of import compilations have popped up over the years, I usually found they omitted key songs and had too much of the group's later music, when the group essentially lost all its talent and reason for being. The pop Shalamar produced at first sounds catchy but frothy, but listening to their entire string of hits and the transcendent voices of Hewett, Watley and Daniels, all driven by the propulsive, sexy Solar sound, make it clear this is music for the ages. Fans will quibble with a choice or omission (I wish "Full of Fire" and "Go For It" had been included, I prefer the mix of "Second Time Around" included on other compilations, and the last two songs don't mean much to me), but this pretty much includes almost all of the highlights. I'm especially happy with the choices from the group's last good album, "The Look", when they moved away from their traditional sound toward one more influenced by rock and synthesizers, and which tends to be overlooked by some traditional fans -- "You Can Count On Me", with its falsetto harmonies, is one of their best songs, an unbelievably beautiful ballad.As a former DJ, I continue to listen to (and enjoy) tons of current music, from rap to techno to rock to jazz to R&B...Beasties, Beck, Moby, Slick Rick, R Kelly, Coltrane, etc etc But this music has a special place in my heart, and makes me very happy every time I listen to it, no matter what my mood. I'm thrilled such a sublime collection is on CD at last."

FEEL CHEATED WITH SHORT VERSIONS

VINCENT P TARSITANO | PORT ORANGE, FL USA | 05/09/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Thanks to another reviewer [B.C.] for the heads-up regarding the fact that the songs collected here are the short single versions, rather than the album or extended 12" cuts. A major part of the greatness of the SOLAR label's output is the awesomeness, fun, and inventiveness of the fuller or extended club versions of their productions. This is especially true for Shalamar. To be fair, the number of selections here is generous; still, I would have prefered the 10 best-of-the-best in all their full-length glory. Truth be told, also, this is a greatest hits collection and just fine for those who are content with more selections in their shorter versions, and there is a SHALAMAR, THE 12" COLLECTION for those like me who prefer the full and extended versions. That set features 13 tracks."

Very good, but read this first ...

Brian Campbell | Chicago, Illinois | 09/03/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The music deserves five stars & this collection contains all major & minor hits that the great group had, but the reason for the 3 stars is that all songs are in their 45 rpm versions! This may not bother some, but for the TRUE fan (like me), this will be very annoying.For those of us who need something more, buy the 12" collection here on Amazon. This is an import from Canada & a little more expensive (about $$$), but MUCH better. This one also collects all the hits & all of the long versions at that. To have Uptown Festival in its' complete form after all these years is great!See what kind of a fan you are & make your decision off of that. Hopefully you will make the 12" choice ..."