Personnel: Patti LaBelle (vocals); Eddie Martinez, Ray Parker, Jr., Wah-Wah Watson (guitar); Emilio Castillo, Lenny Pickett (tenor saxophone); Stephen "Doc" Kupka (baritone saxophone); Kurt McGettrick (bass saxophone); James R. Budd Ellison (piano, keyboards, ARP synthesizer); David Rubinson, Tom Coster (ARP synthesizer); James Gadson (drums, percussion); Scott Mathews (drums); Jos‚ Chepit¢ Areas (congas, timbales); Leon "Ndugu" Chancler (congas, percussion).
Recording information: Wally Heider Studio, San Francisco, CA.
Director: James R. Budd Ellison.
Illustrator: Guy Fery.
Photographer: Lock Huey.
Arrangers: David Rubinson; Eddie Martinez; James R. Budd Ellison; Labelle.
While Patti LaBelle was the vocal force behind the group bearing her name, Nona Hendryx was providing the material that Patti would use to deliver her energetic sound. Of the eight numbers presented, Hendryx is credited with six. "Get You Somebody New" stayed on the Billboard R&B charts for nine weeks, peaking at number 50. "Isn't It a Shame" only managed to peak at a disappointing number 18 after 15 weeks on the charts. The drama, compassion, and delivery easily justify its worthiness as a number one song. However, it remains a popular composition. While LaBelle were heavily costumed, to say the least, songs like the psychedelic "Get You Somebody New" fit the trio's extravagant look, whereas numbers like the sensusous "Come into My Life," the breathtaking "Isn't It a Shame," and the gospel-propelled title track "Chameleon." bring on a stark contrast, but a welcome one. On every level of creativity, LaBelle, the group, are as diverse as these selections. ~ Craig Lytle