LABELLE – THE ANTHOLOGY
A wonderfully-done look at the legendary soul trio Labelle –
plus solo work as well! The collection doesn't feature the full range of Labelle's
music – you might need a box set for that – but it does pick up the group when
they really hit their stride on RCA in the early 70s – when the trio of Patti
Labelle, Nona Hendryx, and Sarah Dash were serving up a completely righteous
blend of funk and soul! Gone are the more fragile harmonies of their 60s work –
and in their place is a confident, badass approach that really let the vocals
of the three women soar in a wonderful way. The set features ten tracks from
these years – a good number of which were produced by Allen Toussaint – plus 26
more from the solo albums by the group members from the same time. Labelle
titles include "Nightbird", "Lady Marmalade", "Are You
Lonely", "What Can I Do For You (single)", "Isn't It A
Shame", "Who's Watching The Watcher", "Messin With My Mind
(single)", and "Something In The Air/The Revolution Will Not Be
Televised". Sarah Dash sings "Sinner Man", "Leaving
Again", "Oo La La too Soon", "Candy From Your Baby",
and "I Can't Believe". Nona Hendryx sings "Casanova",
"King Of Hearts", "You're The Only One I Ever Needed",
"B-Boys (single)", "To The Bone", "I Sweat
(single)", "Keep It Confidential (single)", and
"Transformation (single)". Patti Labelle sings "Music Is My Way
Of Life", "Teach Me Tonight", "Joy To Have Your Love
(single)", "Love & Learn", "My Best Was Good
Enough", "Release", "It's Alright With Me (single)",
"Little Girls (single)", and "I Don't Go Shopping". ~ Dusty
Groove
SPYDER TURNER - IS IT LOVE YOU'RE AFTER: THE WHITFIELD RECORDS YEARS 1978-1980
The overlooked second chapter of Spyder Turner's career –
two albums back to back on a single CD! First up is the Music Web album – a
fantastic revival in sound for Spyder Turner – a Detroit singer who cut some
material for MGM earlier in his career, but never at a level that fully took
advantage of his range! This time around, he's back in action in the late 70s,
and working with producer Norman Whitfield – who creates this rich, soaring
sound for some of Turner's tracks – allowing the singer to move his deep soul
style into even more sophisticated territory. Other tunes are warm mellow
numbers that show a maturing mode, too – and Gene Page handled the arrangements
with a nice sort of Cali 70s vibe. Titles include "Stop", "I've
Changed", "Get Down", "I've Been Waiting",
"Reincarnation", and "Is It Love You're After". On Only
Love, Spyder Turner is again working with producer Norman Whitfield – whose
moved on from his Detroit roots to Cali – and works with the sort of soaring
sound that he brought to his other late 70s albums on his own label – such as
work by Undisputed Truth or Rose Royce! As with both of those groups, Whitfield
allows the arrangements to get big, but never in a way that interferes with the
quality of the vocals – an approach that really seems to help Turner find the
direction he might have otherwise been lacking. Gene Page helps on arrangements
– which furthers the sound of the set – and titles include "God Bless The
Lady On The Radio", "Only Love", "Let's Rock",
"You Can Always Count On Me", "You're So Fine", and
"Sunshine". ~ Dusty
Groove
MONDAY MICHIRU - NAKED BREATH 2
Beautiful work from Monday Michiru – an artist we've loved
for over 20 years, and who just keeps on rewarding our faith in her work with
records like this! Years back, Monday was a soul singer, then she grew into a
very talented jazz singer too – and here, she's in a very special space of her
own – beautifully set up with just the guitar of Yoshihisa Suzuki for accompaniment,
plus a bit of her own work on flute – but mostly in a mode that just features
her singing alongside the guitar! Monday's always had an expressive voice, but
she really knocks it out of the park here – working so many different
inflections, twists, and turns into her lyrics – so much so, we don't even miss
the other instrumentation at all. Few folks could make an album this vivid with
so little – but then again, Monday's always been a rare breed! Titles include
the originals "One Thing's For Sure", "Seize The Day",
"Brasilified", "Hidden Elements",
"Disillusioned", and "Lone Wolf" – plus versions of
"One Note Samba", and the Prince classic "Wanna Be Your
Lover". ~ Dusty Groove
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