Patrice Rushen

“Shout It Out”

The LP Shout It Out was my first Patrice Rushen experience (1973) (1976). After listening to just a few chords of “The Hump” I knew immediately the party was on. The thing that made this song was the rhythm, keys, funky bass and sweet vocals of Patrice.  The title track “Shout It Out” (look below) you feel the presence of Tom Scott’s sax street beat sound. I believe this cut could have been used as a soundtrack in one of those 70’s action tv shows.

My favorite selections are “Stepping Stones”, “Yolon” and Sojourn; they remind me so much Sunday afternoon Black College radio (the old WFRN at Fisk University). The sounds were great to study by or just hanging in the park. I became a fan of Patrice’s vocals on “Let Your Heart Be Free”; that voice is so innocent and sweet.

Moving on thru the tracks she gets all Herbie and Dukey on you with “Roll with the Punches” and “Let There Be Funk” two uplifting funky cuts with a lot of bottom. Some of the personnel accompanying Patrice on this marvelous project are:

Bill Summers - Percussion

Tom Scott - Saxophone

Al McKay - Guitar

James Gadson - Drums

Charles Meeks –Vocals & Bass

Maxie Waters - Vocals

Josie James – Vocals

Shout It Out has been reissued on cd and now is available to purchase. This is a great gem to add to your music collection.

Jerry “The Mouse” Clark

Mellow Madness Music

www.mellowmadness.net

Correspondent for The Urban Music Scene