One of the finer soul groups of the Seventies was LaBelle, best known for their hit, “Lady Marmalade,” which would propel them to superstardom–only to find the trio splitting a mere two years later. Overnight success didn’t spoil LaBelle, though; the group had been performing since the late Fifties, and had moderate success in the mid-Sixties as Patti LaBelle & The Blue Belles. Still, when the group split in 1976, it was because of creative differences. SoulMusic Records‘ new two-disc compilation, LaBelle: The Anthology, gives a quick overview of the band’s Seventies output, before focusing on the solo direction each member took. While Patti LaBelle and Nona Hendryx would move on to successful solo careers, member Sarah Dash‘s career was a bit more low-key, with her focus being on session work and backup singing. Thus, her offerings found here are a bit more enticing, because they’re not as familiar. My favorite is the ballad “I Can’t Believe Someone Like You (Could Love Someone Like Me),” a rousing, beautiful Gospel-tinged number taken from her 1978 self-titled solo debut.
Labelle: The Anthology is out now via SoulMusic Records.
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The Recoup 
exquisite. such an underrated artist!