Chicago native Sigidi Abdallah had a dream when was six-years-old that he was working in a recording studio. His family moved to Los Angeles three years later. An avid record collector, Abdallah would memorize the credits on the labels and record jackets. He began singing in vocal groups and writing songs. While working in the commercial jingle ad field, he met Warren Zevon and was mentored by producer Bones Howe (the 5th Dimension, the Association).

Abdallah became a music copyist, writing down arrangements on musical manuscript paper for Motown and AM Records' music publishing arm, Almo/Irving Music. One day, he met Clarence Avant, former president of Sussex Records (Bill Withers, Lonette McKee, Sharon Ridley) who now headed Tabu Records. Avant wanted to know Abdallah's opinion of an Atlanta-based group called Santa Monica. Liking what he heard, Abdallah expressed interest in producing the group. Avant told him to bring him a hit. While noodling around with a bass line, a high-school friend, Harold Clayton, stopped in. The two began tossing song ideas off each other that over time became Take Your Time (Do It Right). Returning to Atlanta, Abdallah recorded the song with the band. Things were clicking into place as almost 80 percent of lead singer Mary Davis' vocal was done in the first take. Abdallah was curious as to why an Atlanta-based band named itself Santa Monica. Keyboardist Jason Bryant replied that the band had an enjoyable concert in Santa Monica, CA. Later while lounging on a Los Angeles beach, Abdallah, inspired by a song he wrote called News and its telegraphic-like hook, thought up the name the S.O.S. Band. The platinum selling Take Your Time (Do It Right) remained at number one RB for five weeks and at number three pop on Billboard's charts in spring 1980. It was on their debut LP, S.O.S., which parked at number two RB for three weeks, number 12 pop in summer 1980. ~ Ed Hogan, Rovi