Patti Labelle - Timeless Journey (2004)

Patti LaBelle's soul has been on display for the world to see and hear since the 1960s, and four decades later, she shows no signs of fading. There could be no truer title for her umpteenth album; TIMELESS JOURNEY mines epochs of soul music and mixes them together, letting LaBelle's unique, wavering-yet-commanding voice carry each song.

LaBelle has always personified the ultimate empowered woman, in charge of her world and herself, a spirit suffused through her music. TIMELESS JOURNEY positively exudes this attitude, opening with the anthemic "More Than Material." She shows her ability to hang with the young lionesses when Floetry drops by for the sweetly doleful "Hear My Cry." LaBelle shifts naturally into gospel-folk on the sublimely beautiful "2 Steps Away," then picks up the pace to dance the night away on "When You Smile," a tribute to Celia Cruz that features a host of guest stars, including Carlos Santana. Although LaBelle earned her legendary status a long time ago, TIMELESS JOURNEY finds her far from retiring.~Timeless Journey Review by AllMusic