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. minimize