A backing vocalist for the Cameo -Parkway labels, Dee Dee Sharp was the uncredited voice on Chubby Checker’s ‘Slow Twistin’’ single. Her own debut, ‘Mashed Potato Time’, was recorded at the same session and, thanks to the power of Dick Clark’s American Bandstand television show, this energetic, exciting song became an immediate success.
Cameo sadly chose to milk its dance-based appeal and releases such as ‘Gravy (For My Mashed Potatoes)’ and ‘Do The Bird’ packaged her as a temporary novelty act at the expense of an untapped potential. Dee Dee resurfaced in the 70s on the TSOP/ Philadelphia International labels.
In 1967, she married record producer and Philadelphia International co-founder Kenny Gamble and recorded under the name Dee Dee Sharp-Gamble until their divorce in 1980.
The album "Dee Dee" which came out in the early 80's to great reviews but no radio support which was hard to figure out because so many of these incredible tracks could have been huge "hit's" with any airplay at all!! Dee Dee's duet with legendary Jerry Butler "Everyday Affair" could be a hit today with single release...Jerry and Dee Dee are thrilling together and "Everyday Affair" stands up along with any of the greatest ever duets along with Dinah & Brook or Marvin & Tammi.
"Dee Dee" has a number of great funky dance numbers which feature wild Dee Dee Sharp vocals which will make your head spin!! Awesome favorite on this great album is a ballad that builds to intense levels, "Invitation" is a smoldering and riveting scorcher that will give pleasure to anyone who loves great passionate vocals!
"I Love You Anyway" is sultry and hypnotic and was a chart R&B hit that should have been a huge pop hit as well and would have if Top 40 would have given airplay!! Little wonder interest in music and sales have gone down when extraordinary talent like this gets strangely overlooked.
DON'T MISS THIS ONE and with any luck this great singer will record once again as a great voice like Dee Dee Sharp's could only get better with age and what a joy it would be to hear a long overdue update from this great and talented wonder.
Unhappy with record sales, she switched to Atco/Atlantic Records and later founded Gamble Records with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Over time she would also work with TSOP and Philadelphia International.
Track listing
A1. Breaking And Entering - 6:44
A2. Let's Get This Party Started - 3:10
A3. I Love You Anyway - 4:32
A3. Easy Money - 4:04
B1. Invitation - 5:36
B2. Everyday Affair (feat. Kenneth Gamble) - 4:06
B3. If We're Gonna Stay Together - 4:00
B4. See You Later - 3:47
Pesonnel
Dexter Wansel - Keyboards, Percussion, Synthesizer
Backing Vocals - Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson, Dione Gamble, Evette Benton, Alice Echols, Keithen Carter, Mattie Butler, Pat Henley
Jimmy Williams - Bass
Ron Harris - Bass
Michael "Sugarbear" Foreman - Bass
Derrick Graves - Bass
Keith Benson - Drums
Steve Cobb - Drums
Charles Collins - Drums
Billy Johnson - Drums
Dennis Harris - Guitar
T. J. Tindall - Guitar
Byron Gregory - Guitar
Danny Leak - Guitar
James Herb Smith - Guitar
Paul David Wilson - Keyboards
Terry Fryer - Keyboards
David Cruse - Percussion
Geraldo Oliverin - Percussion
Larry Washington - Percussion
Michael Pedicin, Jr - Saxophone
Don Renaldo - Horns, Strings
John L. Usry, Jr. - Arranged By [Strings & Horns]
Companies, etc.
- Manufactured By – CBS Records
- Distributed By – CBS Records
- Phonographic Copyright (p) – CBS Inc.
- Copyright (c) – CBS Inc.
Credits
- Coordinator [A & R] – Jean Scott
- Engineer [Chicago Recording Co.] – Hank Newberger
- Engineer [Sigma Sound Studios] – Jim Gallagher, Joseph Tarsia
- Producer – Kenneth Gamble, Jerry Butler, Paul Wilson, Homer Talbert, Dexter Wansel, Phillip Terry, Paul David Wilson
- Arranged By – Paul Wilson, Dexter Wansel
Notes
Released: 1980
Genre: Funk / Smooth Soul
Length: 36:28
Label - Philadelphia International Records
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