Shalamar - Take That To The Bank (Solar Records 1978)

Shalamar was an American music group, primarily of the 1970s and 1980s, that was originally a disco-driven vehicle created by Soul Train booking agent Dick Griffey and show creator Don Cornelius. In actuality, Don Cornelius was not interested in Shalamar as a group. Dick Griffey bought the rights from Cornelius and started "Solar (Sounds of Los Angeles) Records and became the mastermind in developing Shalamar. Griffey guided and managed their career until their final break up in the mid 80's.

Their first hit was the 1975 Motown-inspired production "Uptown Festival," and released on Soul Train Records the success of which inspired Griffey and Don Cornelius to replace session singers with popular Soul Train dancers Jody Watley and Jeffrey Daniel to join original Shalamar lead singer Gary Mumford. Gerald Brown would take over the spot vacated by Mumford in 1978 for the Disco Gardens album which featured the hit "Take That To The Bank". After conflicts over lack of payment from Dick Griffey and Solar Records, Brown would leave the group. Brown was replaced by Howard Hewett in 1979.

The group was joined up with producer Leon Sylvers III in 1979, signed with Griffey's SOLAR Records and scored a US million seller with "The Second Time Around."

The "classic" lineup of Shalamar (Hewett, Watley, and Daniel) scored a total of three gold albums in the US with Big Fun, Three for Love (which eventually went platinum) and Friends. Jody Watley vocals are featured on many of the songs including this one.

They went on to be an influential dance trio, masterminded by Soul Train producer Don Cornelius. As noted in the British Hit Singles & Albums, they were regarded as fashion icons and trendsetters, and helped to introduce 'body-popping' to the United Kingdom. Their collective name 'Shalamar' was picked by Griffey. This song was released before Howard Hewitt joined the group. Gerald Brown was the lead male vocals on this song.

Disco Gardens is the second album by American R&B group Shalamar, released in 1978 on the SOLAR label. It features the line-up of Gerald Brown, Jeffrey Daniel and Jody Watley, and was the only Shalamar album on which Brown appeared.

Disco Gardens was less successful than Shalamar's debut Uptown Festival, peaking at #52 on the R&B chart and #171 on the Billboard chart. It contains early indications of what was to become the distinctive "SOLAR sound", most notably on the single release "Take That to the Bank" which was a UK Top 20 hit in early 1979.

Take that to the bank
Take that to the bank

A long time we stayed together
Been through the roughest weather, you and I
Still rich with love
We never had to borrow
And baby, only we know why

I'm so glad I saved my love for you
And I did what I had to do
I invested my heart so free
For what you gave me

Open your account to me
'Cause I'll give you security, my love
Take that to the bank
My interest is strong
I got a love you can count on, baby love
Take that to the bank

Best believe I shopped around
Good insurance you have found in me
Don't you worry
No one can steal my heart
Our contract can't be torn apart
That easily

'Cause we build a strong love affair
On investments of equal share
Two hearts that beat as one
Just look what love has done

Dime in the socket
Just like money in my pocket, baby love
Take that to the bank
I know how to treat a man
With me you're in good hands, baby love
Take that to the bank

Keep savin', keep buildin' (Baby)
That interest for our love
Take that to the bank
Keep savin', keep buildin' (Sugar)
That interest for our love
Take that to the bank

(Huh) Save on love
Save it for me, baby
(Huh) Save on love, yeah

Take that to the bank
Take that to the bank

Keep savin', keep buildin'
That interest for our love (Love)
Take that to the bank
Keep savin', keep buildin'
That interest for our love (Love)
Take that to the bank

Open your account to me
'Cause I'll give you security, my love
Take that to the bank
My interest is strong
I got a love you can count on, baby love
Take that to the bank

Видео Shalamar - Take That To The Bank (Solar Records 1978) канала DiscoSaturdayNightTV