Story By: Mario Tarradell / Story From: dallasnews.com
A SOULFUL REUNION: It's been way too long. Whew! Back to Now marks the return of Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash, who haven't been Labelle on record since 1976's underrated Chameleon. They've been missed. Working with producers Lenny Kravitz, Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, and Wyclef Jean, among others, Back to Now encapsulates the Labelle musical mystique, merging R&B with glam rock, gospel with jazz, funk with pop. The results are invigorating and arresting.
RETRO MEETS MODERN: Tracks such as the funky "Candlelight," the frenetic "Rollout" and the old-school R&B ballad "Superlover" – hear Miss Patti wail! – feel vintage yet contemporary. "System" is another cool funk workout. Stick around for the last cut, too: a reading of Cole Porter's "Miss Otis Regrets." This live recording from 1970 with the Who drummer Keith Moon is a marvel of vocal interplay.
BOTTOM LINE: Back to Now has rhythm and soul, power and pathos. It's a slamming comeback for a most inventive, energetic trio.
B+Back to Now
