Tasty (Expanded)

by Alex Henderson In the late '70s, anyone who expected Patti LaBelle's solo albums to sound a lot like her work with the trio Labelle was bound to be disappointed. From the minute she went solo, it was obvious that she was determined to forge ahead, and that her solo recordings weren't going to sound anything like her work with Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash. No one is going to mistake Tasty, Patti LaBelle's second solo effort, for Nightbirds, Phoenix, or Chameleon. All of the things that the Labelle trio was known for -- cosmic lyrics, socio-political observations, and an aggressive rock edge -- are missing from this 1978 LP. Compared to Phoenix or Chameleon, this record seems safer and less dangerous. But then, Tasty wasn't supposed to sound like Phoenix or Chameleon; so comparing LaBelle the solo artist and Labelle the group is comparing apples and oranges. Tasty may not be as daring or as cutting-edge as Nightbirds, but it's a solid, heartfelt soul-pop outing. The Philadelphian is passionate and inspired on material that ranges from the salsa-influenced "Teach Me Tonight (Me Gusta Tu Baile)" and the exuberant "Eyes in the Back of My Head" to the gospel-drenched ballad "Quiet Time." LaBelle also provides a few covers, all of which are interesting. The Drifters' "Save the Last Dance for Me" is transformed into an up-tempo Latin-flavored disco-soul workout, while LaBelle's cover of Boz Scaggs' "You Make It So Hard (To Say No)" is much more R&B and a lot less pop than the original version. As a solo artist, Patti LaBelle has had her ups and downs; Tasty is, without question, one of her finest solo efforts.