By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
The BV Newswire has learned that a reunion of rock & soul super-group Labelle is currently underway.
An album is quietly being recorded in New York City bringing back together the talents of vocalists Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash, respectively.
A source close to the project has confirmed exclusively to us that Grammy Award rocker Lenny Kravitz has recorded three tracks, thus far, for the yet-to-be-titled opus, which will mark the trio's first recording since 1976's 'Chameleon.'
But those are the only details that have come forth.
While there is no record company attached to this eagerly anticipated project, LaBelle has reportedly been in discussions with Island Def Jam chief Antonio 'L.A.' Reid about re-joining the roster. On the heels of her 2005 covers project 'Classic Moments,' she was abruptly dropped from the label.
LaBelle's longtime publicist Patti Webster declined to comment on the negotiations confirmed there are serious discussions being had.
Formed in 1971 -- as a spin-off of the 1960s soul quartet Patti LaBelle & the BlueBelles -- Labelle juxtaposed glam-rock influences with contemporary soul to create a force of nature that the music business never saw before. British TV producer Vicki Wickham is credited with giving the fledgling act just the shot in the arm it needed. Making their official debut in 1971 with the eponymous titled Warner Bros. album, the group didn't strike gold until 1974 with the critically acclaimed 'Nightbirds' project.
It was the album that yielded Labelle's most popular song 'Lady Marmalade' -- recorded in New Orleans with soul veteran Allen Touissant. The track -- an ode to a bawdy New Orleans prositute -- wound up catapulting the R&B and pop charts.
Other memorable Labelle standouts include 'Get You Somebody New,' 'Messin With My Mind,' 'What Can I Do For You,' 'Moonshadow,' the Hendryx-penned 'Turn Me On' and the tear-jerker 'Isn't It a Shame?'
In 1974, the group made history as the first black group to perform at the Metropolitan Opera House.
Since disbanding in 1976, the trio has reunited for special occasions -- but never on record.
With Kravitz on board -- and maybe even Reid -- the sky could be the limit this go round for incomparable talent of Labelle.
1. I can't wait to hear and see them.The last time I saw Labelle was at the Becon. Now with Kraviz and Reid it will be a great CD.
"LABELLE FOREVER"
Douglas L. James at 7:18PM on Apr 25th 2007