THE BEST OF DEE DEE |

Personnel: Dee Dee Sharp; Dave Appell, Joe Sgro, Joe Renzetti , Norman Harris (guitar); Fred Nuzzullio, Georgie Young & the Rockin 'Bocs, Buddy Savitt (saxophone); Rick Kellis, Roy Traigis, Robert Martin , Luther Randolph, Jimmy Wisner, Leon Huff (keyboards); Ronnie Baker, Joe Macho (bass instrument); Karl Chambers, Cliff Jackson & His Crazy Cats, Joe Sher (drums); Vivian Dix, Charlotte Walker, Willa Ward, Lillian Washington, Eddie Custis, Elfay Willis, Sandy Person, Jim Meeley, Cindy Scott, Raun MacKinnon, Kenny Gamble (background vocals); Roland Chambers, Bobby Eli (guitar); Dan Dailey (saxophone); Thom Bell (keyboards, background vocals); Earl Young, Bobby Gregg (drums); Chubby Checker.
Liner Note Author: Jeff Tamarkin.
Arrangers: Dave Appell; Jimmy Wisner; Kenny Gamble; Leon Huff ; Rick Kellis; Joe Renzetti ; Luther Randolph; Riley Hampton; Charles Calello.
This release from the Cameo-Parkway catalogue generously collects the output of Dee Dee Sharp, the artist behind "Mashed Potato Time," one of the biggest dance hits of the early 1960s. In the mold of the girl-group pop of the era, Sharp churned out a remarkable number of infectious tunes, which she delivered in a bright, soulful voice. Twenty-four of those are collected here, including her mid-'60s work, the best of which ride sinuous, funky grooves. Other tracks boast early production work by Gamble and Huff --the duo who went on to help sculpt the legendary Philly Soul sound--and, not surprisingly, the strings and lush back-up vocals play like proto-TSOP.

• Released: 2005-10-18
• Format: CD
• Genre: R&B