• Artist: The S.O.S. Band
• Rating:
• Styles: Urban, Funk
• Similar Albums: TP, Live and Uncensored, What Time Is It?, We Are One, Powerlight, Now We May Begin, All the Greatest Hits

Review

When a debut album is as promising as the S.O.S. Band's first album, one fears the possibility of a sophomore slump -- meaning that the second album won't live up to the promise of the first. Too, the S.O.S. Band's second album, does, in fact, find the Atlanta residents experiencing a bit of a sophomore slump. But "bit" is the operative word; Too is far from a disaster. While the S.O.S. Band's self-titled debut album of 1980 was superb, this 1981 follow-up is merely decent. And in that sense, the LP is somewhat of a disappointment -- but certainly not a major disappointment. "Do It Now," "It's a Long Way to the Top," and other up-tempo funk-dance singles are likable and catchy; they just aren't exceptional. If the S.O.S. Band's first album was the funk-dance equivalent of champagne, Too is more like a beer. And when you have come to expect champagne, beer is a letdown -- even if it is a beer of decent quality. But all was certainly not lost for the S.O.S. Band. A few years after Too, the Atlanta residents joined forces with the hit-producing songwriting team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis -- and that alliance resulted in a creative and commercial revitalization for the S.O.S. Band. Again, Too isn't a bad album, but it isn't among the Atlantans' essential releases and is only recommended to collectors and hardcore fans. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	iTunes	Composers	Performers	Time
It's a Long Way to the Top			The S.O.S. Band, The S.O.S. Band	(4:12)
Do It Now		Sigidi	The S.O.S. Band, The S.O.S. Band	(7:03)
There Is No Limit		Sigidi	The S.O.S. Band, The S.O.S. Band	(5:16)
You		Sigidi	The S.O.S. Band, The S.O.S. Band	(4:32)
Stay		Maurice Williams	The S.O.S. Band, The S.O.S. Band	(4:33)
Are You Ready?		Sigidi	The S.O.S. Band, The S.O.S. Band	(5:05)
Do You Know Where Your Children Are?			The S.O.S. Band, The S.O.S. Band	(3:33)
For the Brothers That Ain't Here		Sigidi	The S.O.S. Band, The S.O.S. Band	(4:28)
Unborn Child			The S.O.S. Band, The S.O.S. Band	(3:51)

Credits

Mary Davis (Percussion), Mary Davis (Vocals), Don Miller (Cover Photo), Travis Biggs (Violin), Travis Biggs (Harp), Travis Biggs (Keyboards), James Earl Jones (Drums), James Earl Jones (Vocals), Anna Lee Austin (Communication), Jason Bryant (Keyboards), Jason Bryant (Vocals), Bill Ellis (Saxophone), Bill Ellis (Vocals), Mitch Gibson (Assistant Engineer), Fredi Grace (Vocals (Background)), Willie "Sonny" Killebrew (Flute), Willie "Sonny" Killebrew (Saxophone), Willie "Sonny" Killebrew (Vocals), David Majal lI (Sax (Alto)), Stephen Marcussen (Digital Mastering), Abdul Ra'oof (Trombone), Abdul Ra'oof (Trumpet), Abdul Ra'oof (Vocals), Keith Rawls (Vocals (Background)), The S.O.S. Band (Main Performer), The S.O.S. Band (Rhythm Arrangements), Sigidi (Producer), Sigidi (Horn Arrangements), Sigidi (Rhythm Arrangements), Admiral Sigidi (Producer), John Alexander Simpson (Bass), John Alexander Simpson (Vocals), John Alexander Simpson (Rhythm Arrangements), Rhonge Southern (Guitar), Rhonge Southern (Vocals (Background)), Rhonge Southern (Rhythm Arrangements), Bruno Speight (Guitar), Bruno Speight (Vocals), Bruno Speight (Rhythm Arrangements), Richard Wells (Assistant Engineer), Fred Wesley (Trombone), Fred Wesley (Horn Arrangements), Fred Wesley (String Arrangements), Greg Webster (Assistant Engineer), Tom Vickers (Liner Notes), Clarence Avant (Executive Producer), Sabrina Buchanek (Assistant Engineer), Nick Fasciano (Logo Art), Art Sims (Art Direction), Scott Skidmore (Assistant Engineer), Billy "B.E." Ellis (Saxophone), Billy "B.E." Ellis (Vocals), Tony Chiappa (Assistant Engineer), Tim Stephens (Production Coordination), Steve Williams (Engineer), Steve "Syco Steve" Williams (Engineer), Steve "Syco Steve" Williams (Mixing), Les D. Cooper (Assistant Engineer)

too little too late	too nay
A Breeze Too	too short