Search - Labelle :: Back to Now

AMEN!!!

Music Maven | Southern California | 10/24/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"They're baaaaaaaaaaaaack!!! And, not a minute too soon. Patti, Nona & Sarah still have it all goin' on! An amazing album!



Patti's soaring soulful vocals; Nona's optimal funk; and, Sarah's exquisite harmonizing have always been the stuff of Musical Legend. Labelle is still fresh after 32 long years of absence from the Music Scene.



Having had the privilege of bearing witness to their many 'incarnations' from the Bluebelles to their solo careers, this musically jaded writer can sincerely say this is one of their top musical endeavors.



Don't wait for Santa to be kind to you - get this fabulous album now. You'll be playing it over and over and discovering new delights each time you play it. BRAVA DIVAS!!!"

It's Like They Never Left

John L. Hughes, Jr. | Nashville, TN | 10/21/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The "try-too-hard-to-be-trendy" single "Rollout" is the only misstep on this otherwise excellent album from the reunited Labelle. Producers Lenny Kravitz and the legendary Kenneth Gamble step back and let the girls robust harmonies and interplay shine on such smashing originals as "Candlelight", "Superlover", "System" and "How Long". Even when the trio gets sappy on "Tears for the World", the girl's hearts still shine. But the real highlight here is the smoking cover of the 70s rock/r&b band Mother's Finest song "The Truth Will Set You Free".



Patti's over-the-top vocal performances are in check, and Nona and Sarah definitely make their presence known. Labelle has always been a group where the background vocals are just as important as the lead vocals. One of the best r&b albums released in a long time. Welcome back, Labelle!"

This Album Will Set Your Ears Free

Andre S. Grindle | Brewer Maine | 10/22/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Obviously many classic soul lovers have been awaiting this for a very long time-finally Sarah Dash and the incomparable Nona Hendryx team back up with the now solo diva Patti Labelle for a full fledged reuinion. 'Back To Know' features the production help of both contempo musicians Wyclef Jean and Lenny Kravitz along with old Labelle pals Gamble & Huff for this gutsy,funky soul fest-full of those high energy gospel shouts and harmony's that Sarah,Nona and Patti can give us. All of the songs are excellent-even "Rollout";the only cut obviously designed to "reach the kids" of the new millenium with it's bass heavy hip-hop/pro-tools softwhere sound. Aside from that all of the music here could easily have been ripped from a late 70's follow up to Labelle's last album Chameleon (a classic more then worth hunting down);"Candlelight","Superlover" and "System" all explore the waters of soul,gospel drenched R&B and hardcore funk before each tune is out. Lenny Kravitz' presense makes itself clear on "Truth Will Set You Free",a tough funk rocker reminding us not only that Labelle were one of the earliest female groups to combine funk and rock but that none of that spark has faded with time or seperation. Even if the music world of today welcomes them the world Labelle are making a comeback in has changed dramatically. We've moved waaaay beyond Marvin Gaye's concerns about an "overcrowded land" with "fish full of mercury";we have global warming,a disintigrating economy and paranoia about terrorism. In their tradition Labelle over up almost half an albums worth of messages songs,all with a different motivation-in "Tears For The World" documents in traditional funk message song style a litany of todays problems and our unexpected apathy towards them;that maybe showing feeling might bring people to act."Dear Rosa" is a tribute to the late civil rights pioneer-thanking her for her efforts but somberly pointing out that she died before you dream was fully realized. On "How Long" and "Miss Otis Regrets" stories of triumph and wonder prevail and we as the listener really feel we've experienced something magical,and we have. It would be a pitty if this was the last we heard of Labelle as a unit but if it is this would be a worthy,if long long delayed,goodbye."