Search - Shalamar :: Look

Shalamar's Cool New Wave Classic

M. Edwards | Buckinghamshire United Kingdom | 04/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"By the time "The Look" album was released in 1983, Shalamar were megastars and an established part of the British music scene. This album is special, as it was the last recording with the classic Hewett/Watley/Daniels line up. Unfortunately for their fans (myself included), internal relations within the group were strained, and the group were on the verge of splitting.



Musically, "The Look" was something of a departure for the group; the solid, hallmarked R&B sound was replaced with the New Wave sound (an infectious fusion of R&B with pop/rock). The results were fabulous.



That album opens with the sensual "Closer", which is very smooth, slick and sophisticated. This is followed by the awesome "Dead Giveaway", which was an instant UK Top 10 Pop hit - it had Howard and Jody rocking to great effect. What surprised die-hard Shalamar fans was the fact that the single raced up the rock charts both in the US and in the UK!



Howard takes the lead on "You Can Count On Me", but it's the duets with Jody that are outstanding. The first, "Right Here", is beautiful and it demonstrates their maturity vocally. "No Limits" is another Howard/Jody duet that is pure New Wave.



Jody takes the lead in "Disappearing Act" which was another big hit on the UK pop charts. Her voice sounds great here. The only 2 tracks that bear any resemblance to Shalamar's heritage is the cool, old school groove of "Over and Over" (one of the BEST Shalamar cuts of all time!) and the percussive "You Won't Miss Love".



All in all, this is an excellent, but vastly underrated album. I was only 14 when this was released, and I remember it just like it was yesterday. Those were the good old days! I long for the day when Jody Watley, Howard Hewett and Jeffrey Daniels reunite for a proper reunion. Until that day, I'll have to treasure the memories. I recommend this CD to any 80s R&B/Pop/New Wave fan.

"