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| Original member Jeffrey Daniel and Jody Watley with session singer Gary Mumford "Uptown Festival" , 1977
There have many many lineups for music group Shalamar ™ beginning in 1977, pictured are the first incarnation.
Don Cornelius formed Soul Train Records along with Dick Griffey (eventual owner and found of Solar Records). The medley of Motown songs "Uptown Festival" quickly became a disco hit, had been recorded by Mumford and other session singers. The single was produced by Simon Soussan. Needing a fast solution to help promote the single and give Shalamar an instant identity Cornelius handpicked popular Soul Train dancers from the iconic show. JET Magazine in 1980 "Jeffrey and Jody Watley used to be dance partners..when word trickled down in 1977 that Cornelius and producer Dick Griffey wanted to for a vocal/dance group, the popular couple were natural choices. "Jeffrey and Jody were two of the most interesting people on the show," Cornelius reveals. "We thought they would fit in the image we wanted to create for Shalamar, It's just lucky they could sing." he laughs
Mumford wasn't in the lineup long and quickly departed after a few promotional appearances and one photo session.
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Shalamar Taking It To The Beginning
