Mary Davis - Separate Ways (1990)

When we think of Mary Davis' voice, many songs come to mind and they SHOULD, where it was HER VOICE that saw the S.O.S. Band to the upper reaches of the R&B singles and Albums charts from 1980-1986 with original producer, Sigidi and then with the infamous Flyte Tyme Productions.
Lead vocalist Mary Davis left the group in 1987 to pursue a solo career, and was replaced by Chandra Currelley beginning with the band's 1989 “Diamonds in the Raw” album. Here, on "Separate Ways," her second solo set, once again, no Jam & Lewis to be found, but L.A. Reid & Babyface appear with the first two singles, "Don't Wear It Out" and "Have You Been Loved" instead. How neither of these reached the R&B Top Ten or even crossed over to the Top 100 is also puzzling, as the voice is familiar to most and so unlike any other voice in music today or during that time period. It's uniquely smooth, creamy and has the ability to erupt with great force into a sexy vibrato.
Mary Davis may have played it safer by staying with the S.O.S. Band, but like most who pursue "solo" careers, the risk is always there and success is not always a guarantee. This CD is awesome despite the fact that it sold poorly. Fortunately, she's still out there touring with the original lineup on the Old School circuit and with the United We Funk All-Stars who have a "live" as well as a "studio" CD to their credit.

Track listing

01. Don't Wear It Out - 4:44
      Written-By – D. Bristol, L.A. Reid, Babyface (Backing Vocals – Babyface, Mary Davis, Pebbles)
02. Baby, Baby (You Ain't Treatin' Me Right) - 4:35
      Written-By – B. Terry, Z. Dubois (Backing Vocals – Gwen Penniman, Mary Davis)
03. Separate Ways - 5:40
      Written-By – B. Terry, M. Davis (Backing Vocals – Gwen Penniman, Mary Davis)
04. I'm Gonna Love You Better - 3:34
      Written-By – A. Rich, D. Sea, H. Rice, I. Gamboa
05. I Get Nervous - 5:12
      Written-By – D. Simmons, K. Roberson (Backing Vocals – After 7, Dee Bristol)
06. I Wanna Be Sure - 3:55
      Written-By – M. Davis, R. Bayyan
07. Some Kind Of Lover - 4:32
      Written-By – A. Lee, J. Lee
08. Have You Been Loved? - 4:45
      Written-By – D. Simmons, K. Roberson
09. Sweet Obsession - 4:12
      Written-By – John Johnson (Backing Vocals – Gwen Penniman, Mary Davis, Simuel Overall)

Credits
Drums, Percussion – L.A.
Bass, Keyboards – Babyface
Keyboards – Albert Lee, Bernard Terry, John Lee
Programmed By [Drums] – Bernard Terry, Albert Lee, John Lee, John Johnson
Saxophone – John Oppenheim
Bass – Kayo
Drums – De'rock, Kayo
Programmed By [Synthesizer, Additional] – Donald Parks
Programmed By [Synthesizer] – Jeff Lorber
Producer(s) - L.A.,Babyface, Pebbles, Bernard Terry, Howie Rice, De'rock, Kayo, Royal Bayyan, John Lee, John V. Johnson   
Engineer [Assistant] – Bonnell Sullivan, Danny Costa, Michael Girgis, Neal Poque, Rick Caughron
Engineer [Mixing] – Keith Cohen
Engineer [Recording & Mixing] – Bernard Terry, Jon Gass
Engineer [Recording] – Dave Rideau
Photography By – Raul Vega

Notes
Pebbles appears courtesy of MCA Records
Kevon Edmonds, Melvin Edmonds & Keith Mitchell appear courtesy opf Virgin Records
L.A., Babyface, Kayo & Dee Bristol appear courtesy of Solar Records

Recorded at
Elumba Studios, Hollywood, CA
M'Bila Studios, Hollywood, CA
Galaxy Sound, Hollywood, CA
Studio Masters, Hollywood, CA
Silver Sun Recording, Flint, MI

Mixed at
Larrabbee Sound, West Hollywood, CA
Elumba Studios, Hollywood, CA
Silver Sun Recording, Flint, MI

Genre: RnB/Swing, Synth-pop
Length: 41:29
Label: Tabu Records

© 1990