Patti Labelle - Released (1980)

Patricia Louise Holte-Edwards (born May 24, 1944), better known under the stage name Patti LaBelle, is an American singer, author, and actress who has spent over 50 years in the music industry. LaBelle spent 16 years as lead singer of Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, who changed their name to Labelle in the early 1970s and released the iconic disco song "Lady Marmalade". Labelle are also noted for being the first African American group to play at the prestigious Metropolitan Opera House and the first African American vocal group to land the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
Her solo career began shortly after the group disbanded in 1977 with the release of her self-titled and critically acclaimed debut album. Tasty and It’s Alright With Me followed but many believed her fourth and final Epic album, “RELEASED”, was her finest on the label. “RELEASED” reunited Patti with New Orleans Soul maestro, Allen Toussaint.   It would turn out to be the final release from LaBelle by Epic Records, who then reassigned her to Philadelphia International the next year. While the disco song, "Release (The Tension)", found modest international success, and its pop ballad, "I Don't Go Shopping", written by famed songwriter Peter Allen, much like the singer's previous albums, the album failed to become a success. LaBelle co-wrote five of the songs with collaborator James Ellison.

Track listing

01.  "Give It Up (The Dawning of Rejection)"   (Allen Toussaint)  (5:40)
02.  "Don't Make Your Angel Cry"   (Allen Toussaint)  (3:20)
03.  "Release"   (Allen Toussaint)  (3:01)
04.  "I Don't Go Shopping"   (Peter Allen, David Lasley)  (3:54)
05.  "Ain't That Enough"   (Patti LaBelle, James Ellison, Victor Orsborn)  (3:45)
06.  "Love Has Finally Come"   (Patti LaBelle, James Ellison, Victor Orsborn)  (5:36)
07.  "Come and Dance With Me"   (Patti LaBelle, James Ellison, Edward Batts)  (4:28)
08.  "Get Ready (Lookin' for Loving)"   (Patti LaBelle, James Ellison, Edward Batts)  (4:54)
09.  "Find the Love"   (Patti LaBelle, James Ellison, Theodore McClean)  (5:42)

Credits
Vocals - Patti Labelle
Alto Saxophone – Albert White
Backing Vocals – Edward "Rev" Battes, Jay Van Hall, Vernon Manuel
Baritone Saxophone – Carl Blouin, Harris Deffes
Bass – David Barard
Tenor Saxophone – Paul McGinley
Trombone – Jerome Verges, James Duggan, Michael Genevay
Trumpet – Clyde Kerr Jr., James Weber
Drums – Herman V. Ernest III
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes 88] – Sam Henry, Jr.
Electric Piano [Yamaha Electric Grand] – Allen R. Toussaint
Guitar – Edward "Rev" Battes, Ronald Smith
Percussion – Kenneth "Afro" Williams, Miguel Fuentes
Piano [Acoustic] – James "Bud" Ellison
Concept By [Album] – Patti LaBelle
Design [Cover] – Andrea Klein, John Berg
Mastered By – Jack Skinner
Photography By – Hiro
Producer [Associate] – James "Bud" Ellison, Patti Labelle
Producer, Arranged By – Allen R. Toussaint
Recorded By, Engineer [Mix] – Danny Jones, Skip Godwin

Companies etc
Recorded At – Sea-Saint Studio
Mastered At – Sterling Sound
Phonographic Copyright (p) – CBS Inc.
Copyright (c) – CBS Inc.

Notes
Released:  March 14, 1980
Genre:  Disco, R&B
Length:  40:20
Label:  Epic Records

© 1980