Studio Cuts (Greatest Hits)

When lead singer Gwen Dickey left Rose Royce in 1979, it wasnt the end of the line for the Los Angeles-based funk/soul band. Richee Benson, Dickeys talented female replacement, was nothing to be ashamed of, and post-Dickey releases like 1980s Golden Touch and 1986s Fresh Cut are respectable. Nonetheless, Rose Royce provided its most essential recordings during the Dickey era, which is why it isnt surprising that this best-of collection from 2000 emphasizes material that preceded her departure. Most of the definitive pre-1980 hits are offered, and that includes hard funk gems like "Carwash," "Do Your Dance," and "It Makes You Feel Like Dancin," as well as essential ballads and slow jams such as "Wishing on a Star," the sweet "Oooh Boy," and the tearful "Love Dont Live Here Anymore" (which Madonna covered on her second album, Like a Virgin, in 1984). Not everything on the CD boasts Dickey on lead vocals -- falsetto Kenny Copeland is the lead singer and the main attraction on "I Wanna Get Next to You," a Norman Whitfield treasure that was a major hit in 1976 -- but most of the tracks feature her. Greatest Hits isnt ideal, and it isnt the last word on Rose Royce -- the collection would have been even stronger if Cleopatra had offered "Golden Touch" or "Still in Love" (two post-Dickey singles that featured Benson) instead of various remixes. Nonetheless, this CD isnt a bad starting point if youre exploring Rose Royces late-1970s output for the first time. ~ Alex Henderson Engineers: Rick Lewis, Randy Thomas, Barry Paul. Rose Royce: Henry Garner (vocals, saxophone); Kenny Copeland (vocals, trumpet); Major Black (guitar); Michael Moore (saxophone); Freddie Dunn (trumpet); Michael Nash, Arthur Brown (keyboards); Derrick Murdock (bass); Henry Garner (drums, background vocals); Fred Iiams (background vocals). Producers: Kenny Copeland, Henry Garner, Randy Thomas.