Back to Now [Digipak] (CD - 2008)

Personnel: Wyclef Jean (vocals, guitar); Lenny Kravitz (guitar, Clavinet, vibraphone, drums, tambourine); Ronny Drayton, Wilson Jaramillo (guitar); Craig Ross, Eddie Martinez, Randy Bowland (guitars); Karen Brunon, Conway Kuo (violin); Françoise Gneri (viola); Brent White (flute, baritone saxophone, trombone); Harold Todd (saxophone); Jay Davidson, Christophe Panzani (tenor saxophone); Doug DeHayes (baritone saxophone); Matt Gallagher, Henry McMillan Jr. (trumpet); Sebastien Llado (trombone); Don Wyatt (piano, Fender Rhodes piano); Leon Huff , Joseph Joubert (piano, keyboards); Henry Hirsch, Nicky Hopkins (piano); Arden Altino (keyboards, programming); Jerry Duplessir, Warren McRae (bass guitar); Keith Benson, Keith Moon, Kevin Johnson, Steve Jordan (drums); Doc Gibbs (percussion); Jean Philippe Audin (celletto); John Stanely, Keyontia Hawkins, Keith Fluitt (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Craig White; Andreas K. Meyers; Serg Tsai; Kenneth Gamble.

Arrangers: Bill Jolly; Kit Lambert.

Soul veterans and disco icons Labelle can take pride in an illustrious back catalogue that embraces a myriad of genres and includes contributions to some of the greatest soul recordings of all time. As Patti Labelle & the Blue Belles they contributed backing vocals to many of the most memorable soul singles of the `60s, while the following decade saw them releasing a series of albums that blended gospel-infused soul with the then-emergent beat of disco. This string of successes culminated with 1974's Allen Toussaint-produced NIGHTBIRDS, an album that spawned the monstrous hit single "Lady Marmalade," and made the trio internationally renowned stars.

The Lenny Kravitz- and Gamble & Huff-produced BACK TO NOW, Labelle's first full-length effort since 1976's CHAMELEON, features assured forays into every style that the trio have mastered over the course of their career. "Candlelight" and "Superlover" evoke the slow-burning southern soul of the group's early days, while "How Long" and "Roll Out" update the lush disco of NIGHTBIRDS for modern dance floors.

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 minimize