Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings Mark 20th Anniversary with Tower Records Exclusive Release

By Joanna Thomas, photography by Jacob Blickenstaff

Old is being made new again with the upcoming Tower Records exclusive release of Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings: Dap Dippin’ (Limited Edition 20th Anniversary Transparent Vinyl Exclusive). Originally released in 2002 as their debut album through Daptone Records, it was part of a New York City revival movement of 1960s-1970s era funk. The original cover art is intentionally dated, and the tracks include fake live callouts to market the album as a 70s recording. The new pressing includes the original art but upgrades to a vibrantly transparent blue vinyl.

Sharon and the Dap-Kings do not disappoint with deep funk full of horns, emphatic guitar, and her no-nonsense vocals. The album kicks off with the high tempo and energy packed “Got a Thing on my Mind” that sets the stand-up tone to defy the status quo.  An unrecognizable cover of Janet Jackson’s “What Have You Done for Me Lately” follows with her deep throaty vocals. The titular song “The Dap Dip” and “Give Me a Chance” make the call to dance with steady, chunky guitar chords. “Make it Good to Me” slows it down with a smooth groove, organ, and a demanding soulful plea. “Aint it Hard” and “Pick it up Lay it in the Cut” hit full throttle with gritty story-telling, funky guitar and classic callouts, and rough-hewn instrumental solos. The album wraps up unexpectedly with “Casella Walk,” a mellow-paced musical line with no vocals, picked guitar melody, and accenting brass.

A corrections officer turned singer, Sharon began as a background singer for Desco Records. She was discovered in 1996 while providing background for Soul Providers and Lee Fields; after being given a couple solo parts, they became the house band backing her as the lead. The Dap-Kings evolved from this group and the newly formed Daptone Records label founded by bassist, bandleader and producer Gabriel Roth and saxophonist Neal Sugarman. They began recording Dap Dippin’ in 2001. The debut album was given a small release in Barcelona with the main U.S. release following.

Through the next few years, the band changed and evolved and garnered a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album in 2014 for Give the People What They Want.  Their journey was abruptly interrupted when Sharon died in 2016 from pancreatic cancer while in the recording process of The Soul of a Woman. It was released posthumously in 2017.

Tower Records and Daptone Records proudly mark the 20th anniversary of Dap Dippin’ with this exclusive transparent vinyl, set to release on November 11, 2022.