Legendary R&B/rock/funk trio Labelle (Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx & Sarah Dash), have, after 30 years officially reformed and made a new album, BACK TO NOW released in the UK on Universal Music Record Label.

Labelle on amazon.co.uk

Labelle on amazon.com

One of the album’s standout tracks, “Rollout”, is released as a new single and represents just one dimension of the group’s genre-bending sound.

The luscious, mid-tempo dance track produced by and featuring Wyclef Jean highlights bouncing synth drumbeats and Patti LaBelle’s soaring, powerhouse vocals that deliver an unequivocal message of female empowerment.

Labelle are currently ripping it up on tour in the US, playing to capacity audiences and having the time of their lives. “Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?” Indeed!

Watch Lady Marmalade video:

BACK TO NOW

Over 30 years later and the trio have re-formed, gone on tour in the US and recorded their new album, ‘Back To Now’, for Universal’s Verve label. Producer credits are shared between Lenny Kravitz, Wyclef Jean, and Gamble & Huff.

The result of what Nona likes to call the trio’s “re–ignition” is a bold new album which embodies everything Labelle has ever been. With the group’s distinctive harmonies and high octane vocals, LaBelle, Hendryx and Dash bring something new and fresh to their latest work while producers Lenny Kravitz, Gamble & Huff and Wyclef Jean bring out the best in the trio.

“I had just seen Kenny (Gamble) and Leon (Huff) receiving their induction into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame and Patti performed “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” recalls Sarah. “I called Kenny and asked if he would meet with us.” Nona brought Kravitz to the table. “We talked to him about the idea of us getting together and invited him to a session. He showed up that day and we haven’t stopped working since.”

“Working with Lenny was a blast!” says Patti. “He played every instrument, even sang all the leads on the tracks. Lenny reminds me of the newness of today. I learned a lot from him. I really saw his vision for us. Our producers took the old and brought us right up to today.”

The songs are a perfect fit: “Without You” began as an original idea from Nona: “The impetus for writing the song was as an ode to Labelle. You could hear it as a traditional love song or as the sentiment behind our re–ignition as a group.” Kenny and Patti added their ideas the result is a dramatic, intense ballad in Labelle’s best tradition.

“System” was performed by Labelle 30 years ago and was destined for their next album in 1977. “It means more today than it did even then,” says Nona. “I love the rugged track Lenny created for it, reflecting the aggression that the ‘system’ represents.” Adds Patti: “It’s about not doing what the system tells you but about following your heart…”

Other album highlights include “Candelight”, a Hendryx original, “Super Lover”, a Hendryx/Celli collaboration, and two G&H productions: a rocking version of Mother’s Finest’s “Truth Will Set You Free” and a dance classic cover of Sylvester’s “You Make Me Feel Mighty Real”. Nona remembers, “I worked with Joyce Kennedy (of Mother’s Finest) with the ‘Daughters Of Soul’ tours I did in Europe and Asia. “Truth Will Set You Free” was a great song from a great band and I felt it was something we could do.” For the dance floor, what better choice than reviving a song made famous by a dear friend…

Labelle, known for delivering a potent message–in–song have been given the perfect vehicle, courtesy Gamble & Huff with “Tears For The World”, a sweeping, driving, thought–provoking new classic.

Concludes Nona, “Our new album is like going home and eating your Mom’s cooking…if your Mom was a good cook, that is!” Labelle sings of change, of love, of sex. A genre–shattering female trio who had social, musical and political statements to make in the ‘70s, re–emerge with the same kind of power, bringing it all back to now.

LABELLE – A HISTORY

Back in the 1970s Labelle paved the way for female R&B groups to get on down, funk it up a little and party! As Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles they were a typical 60s girl group signed to Atlantic…until, in search of a makeover, they teamed up with former British television producer (Ready Steady Go!) Vicki Wickham. Wickham became their producer and manager, shortened their name to Labelle and directed them into a more contemporary fusion of R&B and rock. The advent of glam rock also led to their legendary stage presentation with tripped-out space-age rock costumes replete with glitter, silver, feathers and platforms!

In 1971 Labelle opened for The Who on their American tour, signed with Warner Brothers and made their debut with an eponymous album that featured soul treatments of rock and pop material by the likes of Laura Nyro, the Rolling Stones, Kenny Rogers and Carole King. In 1974 the group signed with Epic and the label sent them to New Orleans to record with famed producer Allen Toussaint. The result, Nightbirds, featured the disco-funk song, Lady Marmalade, which has remained an absolute classic ever since.

Lady Marmalade was a massive hit in the US and the UK and most of Europe and gave Labelle their first gold album. Although the song gave way to many cover versions over the years, the most successful was recorded in 2001 by singers Christina Aguilera, Lil’Kim, Mya and Pink as a single for the Moulin Rouge film soundtrack – their version hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US for five weeks; the soundtrack was a chart topper in the UK and Australia and introduced the song to a whole new generation of music listeners.

As Labelle, Patti, Nona and Sarah spent fifteen years together with a consistent commitment to bringing energy, excitement and soul power to live performances, and cutting-edge innovation to a series of classic albums until 1976, when they separated without fanfare to pursue individual goals and aspirations.

And now – the girls are back! 33 years later, with the release of a brand new Verve Records album the aptly titled ‘Back to Now’, Labelle is back on cente stage.

“I didn’t know if we still had it,” admits Patti LaBelle, “but we have a sound no one else has, and with the creative input of Wyclef, Lenny, Kenny, Leon and a truly hot team of musicians, I believe we still have it! We are having such a ball on tour in the US – it’s just like old times!”

“It’s as if we never stopped,” agrees Nona Hendryx. “The thread just continues; we just slotted right back into the music when we went into the studio to record Back To Now and, with the input of a young team led by Wyclef and Lenny, we learned a lot and moved our sound right up to now.”

“It’s a sound piece of music,” continues Sarah Dash. “We all feel that this new album definitely represents Labelle today; we’ve got some great songs and we’re hoping to bring them all to the UK very soon!”

Labelle Official Website