Cameo began life in 1974 as the New York City Players from, predictably, New York City. It was only after they relocated to Atlanta in the early 80's, though, that they began to achieve fame as a second-tier funk band with members numbering in the double digits. Over the course of several well-received albums, they slimmed down to a trio, embraced technology, and become emblematic (remember Larry Blackmon's eraserhead haircut?) of the "electro" sound that so dominated rhythm & blues thoughout 80's. Synthesizers, robotic (albeit funky) beats, and freaky lyrics became Cameo's trademark, and their vocorder-driven hits "Word Up," "Single Life," "She's Strange," "Candy," and "Talkin' Out The Side Of Your Neck" were briefly on everyone's lips.

Those hits and others are collected mainly on The Best Of Cameo (1993), with the rest (most notably my favorite, the wacky "Alligator Woman") being mopped up by its companion, The Best Of Cameo Vol. 2 (1996). Universal's more recent Anthology (2002) essentially replaces those two discs for serious collectors: it's a tidy package - with improved mastering - presenting Cameo's evolution in strict chronological order. Also of interest are the bedroom-approved Ballads Collection and the dance floor-tested 12-Inch Collection.