Released is the fourth studio album by the American singer Patti LaBelle. It was released by Epic Records on March 14, 1980, in the United States. The album featured the hits "I Don't Go Shopping", written by previous collaborator David Lasley and musician Peter Allen, and the title track, "Release (The Tension)", which was written by Allen Toussaint, who produced the entire album. The title track found some international success upon its release while "I Don't Go Shopping" was her first top 40 R&B charted single since 1977. Along with her frequent collaborator, James "Budd" Ellison, LaBelle lyrically co-wrote the last five songs on the album.
Track listing All tracks produced and arranged by Allen Toussaint.
Personnel Performers and musicians
Patti LaBelle – vocals Allen Toussaint – Yamaha electric grand piano, vocoder (3, 8), RMI Harmonic Synthesizer (8), acoustic piano (9) James "Budd" Ellison – acoustic piano Sam Henry Jr. – Fender Rhodes Edward Levon Batts – guitars, backing vocals Ron Smith – guitars David Barard – bass Herman "Roscoe" Ernest III – drums Miguel Fuentes – percussion Kenneth Williams – percussion Albert White – alto saxophone Carl Blouin – baritone saxophone Harold Deffies – baritone saxophone Paul McGinley – tenor saxophone James Rivers – tenor sax solo (1), alto sax solo (7) Jim Duggan – trombone Michael Genevay – trombone Jerome Verges – trombone Clyde Kerr Jr. – trumpet James Weber – trumpet Vernon Manuel – backing vocals Jay Van Hall – backing vocals
Technical
Patti LaBelle – associate producer, album concept James Budd Ellison – associate producer Skip Godwin – recording, mixing Danny Jacobs – recording, mixing Jack Skinner – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York City, New York) John Berg – art direction, cover design Andrea Klein – art direction, cover design Hiro 51 – photography Shelly Tryer Broomfield – fashion consultant Norma Harris – hair stylist
Charts + Chart performance for Released Chart (1980) PeakpositionUS World Albums (Record World) 96US Black Oriented Charts (Record World) 31US Top 100 Albums (Cashbox) 77US Top 75 R&B Albums (Cashbox) 29
References