Funky, Hip, Timeless- Get This Album Now!
nathan b | Queens, NY | 05/04/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am 25 years old and I have been a patti fan since the 7th grade.
I basically have about every album she has made.This compilation cd is definetly worth buying. I have waited years for these albums to be re-released. It definetly gives you key pieces of Patti's musical history. There are so many hip and funky tracks that will just have you grooving constantly. some include the songs - Released, ain't that enough, and deliver the funk.
You also get some of her most memorable ballads such as-"come what may" which is such an excellent song- I have made this song a a theme song for my life- Its a real tear jerker that makes you reflect on your life- and helps you to move on from adversity.
The sound quality and Patti's vocal delivery on all the songs are also excellent.
I have put the majority of these songs into My ipod so I could listen to it when I'm at the gym- I just cant get enough.
This Album is truely timeless it is worth every cent."
Patti's 3rd & 4th Solo Abums - ESSENTIAL TO HAVE !
gassy goon | 05/06/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is just what the fans have wanted for years! The wise European market released Patti's first 4 solo albums recorded for Epic on 2 different double CD's. Only Patti's 1st was released on CD in the US, a total disregard on the part of Sony Music over here. Well, at last it is something special to hear these classics on CD!
IT'S ALRIGHT WITH ME from 1979 has more of a Philly style sound , especially on the delightful title song , with tasty brass & horns backing Patti's amazing voice. There's a mix of uptempo songs and ballads on this album, with COME WHAT MAY being one of Patti's favorite ballads to sing in concert back in the day. It's so beautiful, and should have been a single. MY BEST WAS GOOD ENOUGH is a short , sweet ballad that is so nice to hear in it's concise arrangement. Other highlights include DELIVER THE FUNK written by 2 members of The Emotions, the ballad LOVE AND LEARN, and the 9 minute disco of MUSIC IS MY WAY OF LIFE with some great percussion . The other songs on here aren't all that strong, making it the weakest of her 4 Epic albums, but still worthy to have. Skip Scarborough produced it, doing a good job , but not as varied a producer as David Rubinson or Allen Toussaint.
RELEASED from 1980 has Toussaint at the helm for a very good album of R&B, light funk and ballads. He produced Labelle's landmark NIGHTBIRDS album, as well as the group's follow-up PHOENIX in 1975. The album starts off with a bang with the very funky GIVE IT UP [ THE DAWNING OF REJECTION ], which has some great grooves & hooks. Patti really lets loose on it too. Sensational performance! RELEASE [ THE TENSION ] is light funk with a message, AIN'T THAT ENOUGH continues the pace, and I DON'T GO SHOPPING resulted in a hit for Patti. In fact, Patti co-wrote many of the songs on this album, and reliable mainstay musicians from her band James ' Budd ' Ellison and Edward ' Rev ' Batts [ who wrote the Labelle classics WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU and ACTION TIME ] co-wrote many songs and play on this album. So you know, it's more of an organic sound here with all these great players that surrounded Patti for years. Probably the best song is the closer, FIND THE LOVE. This song is such a joy to hear, with it's refrain " find the love, teach the love, preach the love , so we can keep the love " that is a timeless message. Patti used to sing it in concert & I wish she would bring it back. It's an anthem of hers that should be up there with the rest of her classics."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1