by Andrew Hamilton
Managed by Ted White, Aretha Franklin's husband (at the time), the Dynamics released a slew of singles and two albums but never achieved any sustained chart action; they're visually unknown to most, even to those who know their recordings. &What a Shame,& the title track, is arguably their best single, a sweet falsetto sings the woeful tale in a mournful voice usually associated with wakes and funerals. Like everything else on the album, it was written and produced by the now-deceased Ronnie Shannon, an eccentric songwriter from Detroit who gained fame writing hits like &Baby, I Love You& for Aretha. &Woe Is Me& paves the same mournful path, as does &You'll Never Find a Man Like Me.& Shannon speeds it up on &Shucks I Love You,& a happy-in-love tune carried by an airy falsetto lead. Brass is prominent on &Funky Key,& a groove daddy that probably worked better live; the lead is rough, countering the melodic and smooth backing vocals. The Dynamics had at least three lead singers and used them all. &Count Your Chips& is a slow beauty, typical of sounds emanating from Philly, yet it failed to sell despite a sugary lead vocal. Other notables include &Voyage Thru the Mind& and &Let Me Be Your Friend.&