The Spirit's in It
Patti LaBelle · 1981
37 min · 9 tracks · rhythm and blues
A vibrant fusion of soul and R&B, highlighted by powerful vocals and rich instrumental arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Spirit’s in It Start here — The title track serves as a powerful opener, showcasing LaBelle's dynamic vocal range and setting the thematic tone with its message of resilience and empowerment.
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Love Lives — 'Love Lives' stands out for its smooth melody and heartfelt lyrics, becoming one of LaBelle's signature songs that highlights her capacity to convey deep emotion through music.
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Over the Rainbow — LaBelle's rendition infuses a classic standard with her unique style, transforming it into a soulful anthem that showcases her vocal agility and emotional depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong vocals and arrangements but lacks a cohesive narrative across its tracks.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features a strong, rhythmic groove and layered vocal harmonies, setting a vibrant tone.
- Each song showcases LaBelle's powerful vocal range, often building to climactic moments in the choruses.
- Several tracks incorporate call-and-response elements, engaging the listener and enhancing the live performance feel.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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 emotional flow
- uplifting anthems for gathering
- cathartic vocal expressions throughout
- reflective moments with friends
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced instant gratification
- seek short standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified Patti LaBelle's status as a leading soul artist.
- Themes
- gospel-infused anthems· personal storytelling· uplifting resilience
- Career context
- Released in 1981, The Spirit's in It was Patti LaBelle's fifth solo studio album following her successful 1977 self-titled debut. At this point in her career, she was solidifying her status as a leading figure in R&B, coming off the heels of the acclaimed album, Travelin' Light. This record showcased her vocal prowess and ability to blend genres while appealing to a wide audience.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Gladys Knight· Aretha Franklin· Chaka Khan
Tracklist
- 1 The Spirit’s in It Start here 5:49
- 2 Here You Come Again 3:02
- 3 Love Lives 2:52
- 4 I Fell in Love Without Warning 3:12
- 5 Boats Against the Current 4:03
- 6 Rocking Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu 4:25
- 7 Family 4:22
- 8 Shoot Him on Sight 5:30
- 9 Over the Rainbow 3:43
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Sweet Sensation
Stephanie Mills
Shares the same gospel-infused anthems and personal storytelling with emotional depth.
I Feel for You
Chaka Khan
Features powerful vocals and an uplifting vibe, blending soul with contemporary R&B elements.
Neither One of Us
Gladys Knight & the Pips
Explores themes of resilience and personal storytelling through soulful melodies and rich harmonies.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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