Is Tasty a good place to start with Patti LaBelle?

Yes, Tasty is recommended as a starting point for new Patti LaBelle listeners. A vibrant mix of soulful ballads and upbeat grooves showcasing LaBelle's powerful vocal range and dynamic stage presence. Released in January 1978, Tasty came after Patti LaBelle's successful self-titled album in 1977, marking her growth as a solo artist post-Labelle. This album solidified her status in the R&B genre as she transitioned to more mainstream pop influences while retaining her soulful roots.

Tasty works well if you're into steady mid-tempo groove throughout, for lively gatherings and uplifting sing-alongs with friends.

How many songs are on Tasty?

Tasty has 9 tracks, running approximately 48 minutes.

Tasty

Patti LaBelle · 1978

48 min · 9 tracks · rhythm and blues

A vibrant mix of soulful ballads and upbeat grooves showcasing LaBelle's powerful vocal range and dynamic stage presence.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Save the Last Dance for Me Start here — This track highlights LaBelle's ability to convey deep emotion through her vocal performance, transforming a classic into a soulful anthem of longing.
→
Monkey See - Monkey Do — With its catchy chorus and playful lyrics, this song exemplifies LaBelle’s knack for blending humor with infectious melodies, making it a fan favorite.
→
I See Home — The closing track encapsulates the essence of self-discovery and belonging, showcasing LaBelle's vocal prowess in a poignant and reflective manner.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album blends upbeat grooves with soulful ballads, highlighting LaBelle's vocal range and dynamic arrangements.

What we noticed

Tracks like 'Monkey See - Monkey Do' and 'You Make It So Hard (To Say No)' feature prominent brass sections, adding a vibrant energy to the arrangements.
The pacing shifts notably in the latter half, with 'Quiet Time' and 'I See Home' offering slower, more introspective moments that contrast with earlier tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo groove throughout
for lively gatherings
uplifting sing-alongs with friends
warmth for cozy evenings

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced immediate hits
seek experimental or avant-garde sounds

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Established LaBelle's reputation in R&B after her successful debut.
Themes: post-group identity· emotional balladry
Career context: Released in January 1978, Tasty came after Patti LaBelle's successful self-titled album in 1977, marking her growth as a solo artist post-Labelle. This album solidified her status in the R&B genre as she transitioned to more mainstream pop influences while retaining her soulful roots.
Stylistic neighbors: Gladys Knight· Aretha Franklin· Chaka Khan