Description
Labelle – Nightbirds – 180 Gram Marmalade Vinyl Record
Vinyl Me, Please
Issued by Vinyl Me Please as part of their Essentials series with a VMP
Recorded At Sea-Saint Studios, New Orleans
50th anniversary edition of Labelle’s 1974 funk opus
(AAA) Lacquers cut from tapes by Ryan Smith, Sterling Sound.
Pressed on exclusive 180g marmalade vinyl
Listening notes booklet by Sasha Geffen. Art print by Jean Pierre Consuegra
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Labelle’s Nightbirds (1974) is a landmark album in the history of soul, funk, and R&B, representing both a commercial breakthrough and a cultural statement for the trio of Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx, and Sarah Dash. Produced by the legendary Allen Toussaint, Nightbirds is most famous for its hit single “Lady Marmalade”, but the album as a whole is a fusion of funk, disco, and rock with socially conscious lyrics that tackle themes like sexuality, empowerment, and racial identity.
This album is often credited with pushing the boundaries of soul music and helping to redefine the role of women in popular music, particularly by embracing bold expressions of female sexuality and independence.
Nightbirds blends funk, soul, R&B, and rock, with influences from New Orleans jazz and disco. It features tight rhythm sections, groovy basslines, and prominent horn arrangements, all of which are hallmarks of producer Allen Toussaint’s style.
Labelle’s powerful, gospel-infused harmonies are central to the album, with each member contributing vocally in ways that showcase their individual strengths while blending seamlessly as a group. Patti LaBelle’s soaring lead vocals are particularly notable, but the harmonies from Hendryx and Dash add layers of depth to the songs. The album also marked a shift in sound for the group, moving away from their earlier doo-wop and traditional soul roots into a more futuristic, funk-laden aesthetic. This helped position Labelle as pioneers in the emergence of disco and glam rock influences in soul music.
Key Tracks
“Lady Marmalade”: The album’s standout track and biggest hit, “Lady Marmalade” is an infectious blend of funk and disco, built on a memorable bassline and irresistible groove. The song’s provocative chorus—“Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?”—was bold and controversial, but its celebration of female empowerment and sexuality resonated with audiences. It became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains one of the most iconic songs of the 1970s.
“What Can I Do For You?”: This track is a standout for its infectious rhythm and socially conscious lyrics, which touch on themes of community and activism. It combines gospel-influenced vocals with a funky rhythm section, creating a call-and-response feel that showcases the group’s vocal chemistry.
“Nightbird”: The title track is a sultry, soulful ballad that highlights the group’s more introspective side. The smooth production and emotional vocal delivery add depth to the album, contrasting with the high-energy tracks.
“You Turn Me On”: A funky, uptempo track driven by its groovy bassline and punchy horn sections. Patti LaBelle’s vocal power shines through on this track, as she belts out lines full of sensuality and swagger.
“It Took a Long Time”: This song offers a more reflective, soulful sound, with gospel influences shining through. The track reflects on perseverance and triumph over hardship, a theme that resonates deeply with Labelle’s journey as both artists and Black women in the music industry.
Female Empowerment and Sexuality: Nightbirds is celebrated for its bold expressions of female sexuality, particularly on “Lady Marmalade,” which discusses the life of a prostitute without judgment, focusing instead on her empowerment and independence. The lyrics of the album embrace themes of freedom, sexual liberation, and the complexities of womanhood, all set against the backdrop of funk and soul.
Songs like “What Can I Do For You?” reflect a sense of activism and social responsibility, calling on listeners to contribute to the collective good. This theme of empowerment extends beyond just personal freedom, speaking to broader societal issues, especially within the Black community during the 1970s. While much of the album deals with empowerment and independence, it also touches on themes of love and vulnerability, as seen in tracks like “Nightbird” and “It Took a Long Time.” These songs explore the emotional side of relationships, balancing the assertiveness of tracks like “Lady Marmalade.”
Allen Toussaint’s production is a key element of Nightbirds, with his New Orleans-influenced sound bringing together tight rhythms, horns, and a smooth blend of funk and soul. The production is polished but still retains a sense of grit and rawness, which allows the group’s powerful vocals to shine. The use of horn sections, synthesizers, and percussion gives the album a modern (for its time), almost futuristic feel, positioning Labelle ahead of their peers in terms of sound. The funk basslines and disco grooves on tracks like “Lady Marmalade” and “You Turn Me On” reflect the emerging trends of the time, while the incorporation of rock and gospel elements shows the group’s versatility.
Nightbirds was a commercial and critical success, peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 chart and receiving widespread praise for its bold approach to funk and soul. The success of “Lady Marmalade” helped propel Labelle into the mainstream, making them one of the first Black female groups to cross over into rock and disco markets. The album’s exploration of female empowerment, sexual liberation, and social consciousness made it a groundbreaking work in terms of its message, particularly in the context of the 1970s, when Black female artists were often constrained by industry expectations.
Labelle’s combination of funk, soul, and rock helped lay the groundwork for future artists, especially in the way they blended genres and addressed themes of race, gender, and power. Their fashion sense, too—glamorous, futuristic, and bold—was influential in shaping the visual aesthetic of the era, especially in the world of disco and glam rock.
Lady Marmalade was later covered in 2001 by Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mýa, and Pink for the film Moulin Rouge!, bringing the song to a new generation and re-establishing its place as a timeless anthem of female empowerment.
Nightbirds is a bold and genre-defying album that pushed Labelle into the mainstream, blending funk, soul, and disco with socially conscious lyrics and unapologetic expressions of female empowerment. The album’s mix of powerful vocal performances, Allen Toussaint’s expert production, and the group’s fearless embrace of their sexuality and independence make Nightbirds a timeless classic. Its influence can still be felt today, not only in the music industry but also in the realms of fashion and cultural representation.
Track Listing
Lady Marmalade
Somebody Somewhere
Are You Lonely?
It Took A Long Time
Don’t Bring Me Down
What Can I Do For You?
Nightbird
Space Children
All Girl Band
You Turn Me On
