Dee Dee Sharp Gamble: What Colour is Love (1977) / Dee Dee (1980)

After marrying Kenny Gamble, Dee Dee Sharp seemed to inherit his smooth Philly soul style as part of the family and her records for Philly International are head and shoulders above her earlier work as a girl singer in the '60s. Over a five-year period as Dee Dee Sharp Gamble, she recorded a total of three albums for the label, Happy 'Bout The Whole Thing (1975), What Color Is Love (1977) and Dee Dee (1980). The first one I posted it already. Now it is the time for the other two. When What Color Is Love came out in 1977, it looked like a sure thing that Dee Dee would obtain legendary status, as this collection is filled with soul-stirring performances, from the beautifully haunting ballads 'What Color Is Love?' and 'Flashback', to the passionate plea in 'Nobody Could Ever Take Your Place'. Other highlights are her version of 'I Really Want to See You Tonight', which is far better than the original, and the remake of Barry Manilow's 'Tryin' to Get the Feelin' Again'. The second album, sadly her last to date, came out in 1980 to great reviews but no radio support, which was hard to figure out because so many of its tracks could have been hits (and a couple actually were). Dee Dee has some nice mellow midtempo cuts, like 'If We're Gonna Stay Together' and her duet with legendary Jerry Butler 'Everyday Affair', which stands up along with any of the greatest ever duets along with Dinah & Brook or Marvin & Tammi. 'Invitation' is a smoldering and riveting scorcher that will give pleasure to anyone who loves great passionate vocals, while the sultry and hypnotic 'I Love You Anyway' was a Top 100 R&B hit. But the album also has a number of great funky dance numbers, including 'Let's Get This Party Started', 'Easy Money' and 'Breaking and Entering', a song that spent four weeks at number 1 on Billboard's Disco/Dance chart. Those who only know Dee Dee Sharp for her '60s work will be surprised by the mature, sexy Dee Dee. If you love the Philadelphia sound this is a must for your collection. http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.dustygroove.com/

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