Labelle

Labelle performs vanguard music in many ways. Few are the groups or individual artists today who consciously combine an explicitly political stance with sock it to 'em music. They see their purpose thus: "We're moving minds, it's action time."

This uncompromising, educational attitude finally paid off after 14 years of scuffling when Nightbirds hit the top of the pops last spring. Phoenix, almost too aptly entitled, is in the same good groove, but suffers slightly because of its similarity to its predecessor.

Once again Labelle's basic band is augmented by Allen Toussaint and most of The Meters and things cook until they melt. But "Slow Burn," and "Good Intentions," songs of exhortation/inspiration by Nona Hendryx, are thematically very close to "Space Children." And "Cosmic Dancer" and "Phoenix" are rather like "Nightbirds."

However, "Far As We Felt Like Going" shares and even extends the exuberant sexuality of "You Turn Me On", (also from Nightbirds), while "Messin' With My Mind" continues to serve notice that these women just aren't taking any more shit. So be careful, but not too.