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    Labelle

    Back to Now

    Labelle - Back to Now

    10/21/2008 | Verve 

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    All Music Guide Review

    Given the state of reunion albums, the average rate of success is usually one in ten if that; ergo, Labelle's first offering since 1976's Nightbirds could have been a stone disaster. It's not; in fact, it's far from it. The trio of Nona Hendryx, Patti Labelle, and Sarah Dash assembled a crew of kickin' producers with real pedigrees: Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, Lenny Kravitz (is there a bigger retro boss?), Kit Lambert and Hendryx. The one nod to the kids (who probably won't get it anyway) is the Wyclef Jean-produced leavin' jam "Rollout," on which he appears (why on earth he felt he needed to place AutoTune on a Labelle record is beyond imagination -- it's irritating to vintage fans). That isn't to say this is a set of old-school sounding production, but more that the updated sound feels more organic and warm, and thank God the disc is not loaded with guest appearances or ham-fisted duets. Some cuts are a little obvious, such as "The Truth Will Set You Free," with its 1970s anthemic socio-political "us" vibe -- but if 2008 isn't the year of African-American empowerment, with Barack Obama being elected the 44th president of the United States, then there isn't one. Better are the drenched-in-strings soul groovers like "Candlelight" that opens the set. When the backing vocals kick in on the chorus and bridge, it's like it's 32 years ago! Yes, really. "Dear Rosa," with Ronnie Drayton on his subtle but funky wah-wah guitar phrasing, sets up a powerful anthemic tribute to Rosa Parks. Add that B-3 and it sends chills. Dexter Wansel arranged "Tears for the World," that features amazing vocal performances even if its lyrics leave a bit to be desired. The closing cut is Cole Porter's "Miss Otis Regrets," produced by Lambert. This is a surprise, because it was actually recorded 38 years ago and features performances by the late Keith Moon on drums and the late Nicky Hopkins on piano! That said, it sounds seamless when juxtaposed with the other tracks on the set. Vocally, this trio hasn't slipped a notch -- particularly Labelle. Indeed Back to Now exceeds expectations and will no doubt satisfy most fans of the trio's fantasies and hopefully -- thanks to the ultra sleek "Rollout" -- hook a few new ones to boot. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide

    Back to Now Track Listing

  • Track#
  • Title
  • time
  • lyrics
  • 1
  • Candlelight
  • 4:41
  • Sound Clip for Candlelight from Back to Now


  • 2
  • Roll Out
  • 3:51
  • Sound Clip for Roll Out from Back to Now


  • 3
  • Superlover
  • 4:14
  • Sound Clip for Superlover from Back to Now


  • 4
  • System
  • 5:32
  • Sound Clip for System from Back to Now


  • 5
  • The Truth Will Set You Free
  • 4:58
  • Sound Clip for The Truth Will Set You Free from Back to Now


  • 6
  • Without You in My Life
  • 5:29
  • Sound Clip for Without You in My Life from Back to Now


  • 7
  • Tears for the World
  • 4:33
  • Sound Clip for Tears for the World from Back to Now


  • 8
  • Dear Rosa
  • 6:47
  • Sound Clip for Dear Rosa from Back to Now


  • 9
  • How Long
  • 4:33
  • Sound Clip for How Long from Back to Now


  • 10
  • Miss Otis Regrets
  • 4:39
  • Sound Clip for Miss Otis Regrets from Back to Now


    • Back to Now Notes

    The result of what Nona Hendryx likes to call the trio’s "re-ignition" is a bold new album which embodies everything Labelle has ever been. With the group’s ever-distinct harmonies and high octane vocals, LaBelle, Hendryx and Dash bring something new and fresh to their latest work. Producers Lenny Kravitz, Gamble & Huff and Wyclef bring out the best in the trio. "I had just seen Kenny and Leon receiving their induction into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame and Pat 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're friends and admirers of each other's work. We talked to him about the idea of us getting together and invited him to a session. He showed up that day at 5:00 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. Kenny and Leon are like brothers to me. I trust them and they let me take credit for being myself." Notes Nona, "Working with both Lenny and Kenny & Leon was meant to be. I really think the music led us to the people who would understand the new Labelle credo 'back to now'. The past and the present, existing in the now!" Adds Sarah, "Lenny reminds me of the newness of today. I learned a lot from him. I really saw his vision for us, and Kenny and Leon 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 initial 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 Gamble "had an idea for another section for the song," says Nona, while Patti added her input to the song ("from the first time I heard it, I loved it"). The final result: a dramatic, intense ballad in the best tradition of Labelle, building and building with soaring vocals.

    Credits of Back to Now

    • Lenny Kravitz
    • Bass, Guitar, Drums, Tambourine, Clavinet, Handclapping, Producer, Vibraslap, Horn Arrangements, String Arrangements, Mixing, Rhythm Arrangements, Cabasa

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