There’s so much more to the talented virtuosity of Patti LaBelle then the karaoke standard ‘Lady Marmalade’ that first introduced the world to her unique tones. In a career spanning four decades and some 30+ albums, she is the epitome of soul, whilst never straying too far from her gospel roots. ‘The Essential’ captures all her hits and more across 2CDs including ‘If Only You Knew’, ‘On My Own’, ‘The Best Is Yet To Come’ and the sublime ‘Love Has Finally Come’ with Bobby Womack. It also features many of her hits with LaBelle (the original girl power group) – ‘What Can I Do For You?’, ‘Messin’ With My Mind’ and the aforementioned ‘Lady Marmalade’ still sound as accessible today as they did back in the ’70s. Similarly ‘Live in Washington, D.C.’ is a thoroughly absorbing sound bite recorded in her zenith back in 1982. It’s a ferociously commanding never-before-released live performance that aptly captures one of soul music’s greatest exponents in her prime.
5 & 4 Dancin’ Men respectively
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Lewis Dene