The Very Best of Deee-Lite [IMPORT]

Deee-Lite

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 6, 2001)
• Original Release Date: November 6, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Rhino/Wea UK
• ASIN: B00005QK0A
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #144,896 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Deee-Lite were the happiest of accidents. The cuddly, mainstream-pop version of New York drag culture (frontwoman Lady Miss Kier was essentially a female drag queen) and deep club music, they stayed faithful to their pancultural, pansexual, musically omnivorous dance-utopian roots throughout their too-brief career. Even their biggest hit, the agelessly potent suite "Groove Is in the Heart," sounds like a bunch of unrelated ideas (a Herbie Hancock riff, a Q-Tip rap, cartoon P-Funk cameos, and a cutup diva-house vocal) that bumped into each other and decided to have a party. They were never less than sweet, and rarely less than kittenish--or, as Kier put it, "De-groovy!" Compiled by the band themselves, Very Best is a curious cross section of their career, omitting a couple of singles from Infinity Within and including more songs from their uneven farewell Dewdrops in the Garden than from their hit debut World Clique. They do get points, though, for rescuing the kicking Masters at Work collaboration "Bittersweet Loving," whose straightforward four-on-the-floor points out how eccentric their beats and production usually were. --Douglas Wolk

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Deee-licious, December 29, 2002

By	H3@+h (VT) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Overall a good hits package. First 7 tracks are from "World Clique". That's represented well. The next 4 are from "Infinity Within", and the last 9 from "Dewdrops in the Garden". I could have had a couple more from "Infinity Within", like "Runaway" and "I wont give up". Those are great songs and "Runaway" was a single I think. The last 8 tracks are good, but not as catchy and dancy as the first half of the disc. Had this taken from each album a bit more evenly it would have been flawless. But there is no deee-nying that having "What is Love", "I had a dream I was falling through a hole in the ozone layer", and "Say Ahhh.." on the same disc, is deee-lightful!

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How do you say "deee-groovy"?, April 19, 2003

By	John Jones "Musician" (Chicago IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

OVERVIEW: VH1 may play "Groove is in the Heart" on their "One Hit Wonders" show, but this collection makes it clear that Deee-Lite had more hits up their sleeve than most people ever knew. As consistently creative as they were undeniably catchy, Deee-Lite gets a chance to shine on this generous compilation.

AT ITS BEST: "Groove is in the Heart" will always be a dancefloor favorite, and rave-ready workouts like "Somebody," "Bittersweet Love" and "Party Happening People" prove they never lost their ability to get a party started. But "Heart Be Still" lays on the midtempo funk with equal energy, and "Say Ahhh," "Picnic in the Summertime" and "Stay in Bed, Forget the Rest" make a strong case for frontwoman Lady Keir as a seductive rapper. And no matter what incarnation they try on, Lady Keir's lyrics and the group's thoughtful production are constants.

AT ITS WORST: "I Had a Dream I Was Falling Through a Hole in the Ozone Layer" offers a slow-burning funk groove, but the sudden shift to a waltz time signature interrupts the flow. A similar distraction mars "Bring Me Your Love"; and as the only ballad on the collection, "Love is Everything" sticks out.

OVERALL: Those only familiar with "Groove is in the Heart" will be pleasantly surprised to discover the many sides and talents of Deee-Lite.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How do say? Deee-Grooovie!, April 23, 2002

By A Customer

Oh, boy! I miss this group soooo much! This is the best 90's house group in the world. I remember getting "World Clique" for x-mas back in 1990, I was hooked with Lady Kier. This is their greatest hits. Is good, the only songs that I think should be in the copilation are "Runaway" and "Rubber Lover". If I had one wish in my life it would be to hear a cd with new material from Deee-lite. :) Miss you guys!