Sarah Dash
Sarah Dash was an acclaimed American soul singer, best known as a founding member of the vocal group Labelle. She rose to fame through her powerful voice and contributions to hits like "Lady Marmalade," passing away in 2021 after a storied career in music.?
Sarah Dash was born on August 18, 1945, in Trenton, New Jersey, as the seventh of 13 children to a pastor father and nurse mother. She grew up singing gospel in her father's church before forming a teen vocal group called the Del Capris with schoolmate Nona Hendry.x
In the early 1960s, Dash joined forces with Patti LaBelle (then Patricia Holte), Nona Hendryx, and Cindy Birdsong to form Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles, scoring hits like "You'll Never Walk Alone." The group evolved into Labelle in the 1970s, pioneering bold fashion and releasing the 1974 album Nightbirds with the chart-topping "Lady Marmalade." Labelle disbanded in 1977 amid creative differences.
she launched her solo career with the 1978 self-titled album, featuring the disco hit "Sinner Man." She released further albums like Ooh La La (1980) and worked as a session vocalist for artists including Keith Richards, the Rolling Stones, and Laura Nyro. Later, she explored gospel and received honors like a 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dash was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame with Labelle in 2017 and the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2021. She died on September 20, 2021, at age 76, remembered as a versatile vocalist with a four-octave range who influenced generations.
You’re All I Need
Vocals [Duet With] – Patti LaBelle
Written-By – Nick Ashford/Valerie Simpson 6:12
A2 Feel Good
Written-By – Darryl S. Duncan 6:07
A3 Don't Make Me Wait
Vocals [Duet With] – Ray, Goodman & Brown
Written-By – William Rhinehart 4:51
A4 I Believed You
Written-By – William Rhinehart 4:53
B1 Mystery
Written-By – William Rhinehart 4:56
B2 It's Over
Written-By – William Rhinehart 6:51
B3 To Tell You The Truth
Written-By – Nick Moroch, Vaneese Thomas 4:26
B4 After Love
Written-By – Bruce Fisher, Randy Kline 4:35
Label: EMI-Manhattan Records – E1-90036
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Eighties Soul, Electronic
Sarah Dash's You're All I Need (1988) is a solid R&B/Urban album, her comeback after leaving LaBelle, noted for its soulful duets with Patti LaBelle ("You're All I Need") and Ray, Goodman & Brown ("Don't Make Me Wait"), showcasing Dash's strong vocals but met with only moderate chart success despite critical appreciation for her talent, especially on disco-infused tracks like "Sinner Man" from her earlier work, with fans loving her soulful delivery and the album's overall smooth feel.
It features notable duets, most famously with her former group member Patti LaBelle on the title track, and with Ray, Goodman & Brown, and is a smooth blend of R&B and Urban styles, with strong vocal performances highlighting Dash's powerful voice.
While not a massive commercial smash like her work with LaBelle, it was well-received by fans and critics who appreciated her continued soulful vocal talent, even if it didn't garner huge backing.
Standout Tracks: The duets, particularly with Patti LaBelle, were highlights, but earlier singles like "Sinner Man" (from her debut solo work) remained popular disco-era hits.
In essence, it was a well-crafted return that solidified Sarah Dash's status as a powerful solo artist, even if it didn't reach stratospheric heights without LaBelle's full force behind it, with fans cherishing her vocal prowess on tracks like "You're All I Need".