Search - Labelle :: Pressure Cookin'

Crucial Album in Labelle's Music History

gassy goon | 05/29/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The decades wait is finally over. The long awaited CD release of Labelle's 3rd album, PRESSURE COOKIN' is here at last. This album is magnificent on many levels. The group's sound really took shape on this album. If the 1st Labelle album was brash and bold in 1971, and the 2nd was transitional with more original self-penned songs, the 3rd album showed how the trio had leaped into yet another level with a more urban sound. It is this album where everything gelled and came together. Not only the sound of the group for it's next 3 albums, but also the image of the group. It's the first cover to feature their unique stage wear. Patti, Sarah & Nona were not just ready for take-off, they were already miles ahead of many. Musically and lyrically, it's the sound of the city, with a tight band, the group's spiritual singing in unison, and lyrics that spoke of the world. Of the 9 tracks total, Nona wrote 7 of them, some of the best songs that she wrote ever. And the 2 from outside sources fit perfectly into the integrated sound of Labelle, making it such a cohesive album of music and message. The sound that Labelle is most known for coalesced on this album. PRESSURE COOKIN' is the link to NIGHTBIRDS, their next album being a landmark album and world famous hit. It's revelatory to hear this album if you haven't yet.



Reel Music has done an outstanding job with this reissue. The sound is glorious - sharp and clear. The packaging inside is a real added bonus. It contains a large essay on the history of Labelle , and the making of the album. Significantly, it includes interviews from Sarah, Nona, and Vicki Wickham, the producer and manager of the group. The CD benefits from such great liner notes, with a lot of inside info. you'd only get from the group themselves. Thanks to noted writer A. Scott Galloway for such expertly detailed & written notes! Now if only the other Labelle CD's had contained such informative liner notes with quotes from the band. Not even the import of NIGHTBIRDS/PHOENIX/CHAMELEON gave us that. Plus, Reel Music is a US label, so it's doubly rewarding that a new US company has released Labelle on CD.



The music itself is amazing. From the very start of PRESSURE COOKIN' , the title track, there is indeed something brewing. Labelle was about to tear down doors and rip the roof off . This song of inner city turmoil fits today's society. The whole album does. The concepts of human pain, strife, personal space, love, sex and injustice are as valid as ever. SUNSHINE [ WOKE ME UP THIS MORNING ] is a personal awakening, and is the first use of horns on a Labelle album. CAN I SPEAK TO YOU BEFORE YOU GO TO HOLLYWOOD is an anthem. This song is legendary for Labelle, one of their first rock theatre concept songs where each member had a part. LET ME SEE YOU IN THE LIGHT is a 6 minute bliss of heaven, with Patti doing some free floating singing , that is exquisite and beautiful. GOIN' ON A HOLIDAY is funky and sassy, with a very catchy chorus. LAST DANCE is a mighty ballad that builds to a unison gospel whirlwind . MR. MUSIC MAN features some cool vocal peeks to the past. The 2 outside songs include one by Stevie Wonder that he co-produced, the upbeat, positive message OPEN UP YOUR HEART. And the combination of the 1969 hit by the band Thunderclap Newman , SOMETHING IN THE AIR , reinvents the song totally with THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED, a very strong political song that was shocking in 1973, let alone a female group singing about riots, racism and injustice. While other groups were trying to make hit singles, Labelle was truly breaking a lot of barriers down making their music.



It's been worth the wait, roughly 24 years since CD's started being made, for PRESSURE COOKIN' to see release on CD. It's a must have to hear and own. Hopefully, REEL MUSIC will release more of Labelle on CD. A live album would be great. And solo releases by Patti, Sarah & Nona would be most welcome too. This album is astounding. The wait was worth it to have such a phenomenal work such as this released on CD at last."

It's About %$#@!&% Time!!!

Michael G. Smith II | New York, NY | 05/30/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Finally after 37 years. This was the last album from the Labelle catalog to be reissued, for the very first time, on CD anywhere in the world! The sound is excellent! The packaging and booklet is very detailed. It talks about the history of the group, from their Bluebelle years to the remaining trio. It also describes their recording experience with the album. There are comments even made by Maxayn Lewis (hopefully her stuff will get released on CD soon as well). Maxayn talks about Andre Lewis musical roles on the album. Linear notes are written by Patti, Nona, & Sarah to add to the booklet. It also contains a rare picture of a poster ad from 1973 and a couple of rare photos & lyrics of the songs. The 1973 linear notes from Nikki Giovanni are on the inlay part. Finally the CD itself has the original RCA/Victor label from the vinyl release. Sony has done an incredible detailed job on the artwork and the CD. This is a must have for Patti Labelle/Labelle fans!"

About time!

Kent Browning | SPRINGFIELD, OHIO United States | 06/09/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Legendary group LaBelle released a one-off album on RCA in 1973 and although not as brilliant as the following year's "Nightbirds" this album gave a hint of what LaBelle was gonna be capable of.



Group member Nona Hendryx had found her niche as a writer and composer and LaBelle fit the bill with such stunning material.



However standout track "Something in the air/The revolution will not be televised" is something no 70's girl group would dare take on.

With such delicious material as the haunting ballad "Let me see you in the light" and the funky "Going on a holiday" Labelle was just giving us a little dose of what was to come in the following years.



Finally on cd this satisfying cd will please any purist and give those not familiar with the soul divas catalogue a idea of why this group was so ahead of its time."