Patrice Rushen | Patrice
Patrice Rushen | Patrice (Self-Titled)
By Randy Holmes
On Patrice Rushen's 1978 self titled debut Elektra Records project, her first of five albums she recorded for the famed record company, and fourth overall, after recording three straight ahead jazz oriented albums for another legendary record company, Prestige Records, she delved right into the world of funk, R&B, disco overtones, and a then burgeoning genre now known as Smooth Jazz. She wisely chose the best musicians the west coast has to offer to help her shape one of the finest albums in her illustrious and successful career. (Just Google her name and read down the list .... but just make sure you have the time to do so first). Those musicians include Earth, Wind & Fire's Al McKay, session monsters Paul Jackson, Jr., Abraham Laboriel, Sr. and Marlo Henderson on guitars, the legendary session drummer James Gadson, master percussionists Paulinho Da Costa and Bill Summers, the Seawind Horns, longtime bassist used on many of her recordings throughout her career, and still to this day utilized, "Ready" Freddie Washington on bass guitar, and the soulful legendary background vocalists consisting of Syreeta Wright, Seawind's Pauline Wilson, Jim Gilstrap, Stephanie Spruill, Roy Galloway, Oren and Maxine Waters of the famed Waters family of session vocalists, and Sheree Brown. Let's take a closer at this "master stroke of art" from none other than the multi-instrumentalist "Masteress" herself, Ms. Patrice Rushen. This impressive major label debut was co-produced by Patrice, Charles Mims, Jr. and Reggie Andrews (Whom later went on to produce most of The Dazz Band's Motown Records output, along with another session great, drummer, Leon "Ndugu" Chancler).
Opening track, the funky and Latin tinged, "Music Of The Earth", we hear the festive upbeat tempo of the rhythm section, particularly the slick and distinctive guitar licks of Al McKay, excellent horn and string arrangements, along with the combined lead vocals of Patrice, Pauline, Roy, and Syreeta. Percussion master, Paulinho Da Costa's performance, is the one of the many stand out ingredients that held this tasty track together as he bongo'd, triangled, and shooked via the "shaker" during the last few bars of this song. Smoking ! On "When I Found You", the opening Flugelhorn lines of session greats, Oscar Brashear and Raymond Lee Brown, set the tone of this mellow silky smooth song. Patrice's lead vocal performance slides and glides alongside the lovely string accompaniment, as well as her softly tinkling the electric piano. What stood out the most on this particular song, to me at least, is the bass trombone low registered notes played during the last few bars, and they come courtesy of another session great, Maurice Spears. The background vocals of Jim, Roy and Syreeta, supporting Patrice's sweet harmonious lead vocal, is nothing to sneeze at either, as they themselves sound just as beautiful. Great song ! .... and Quiet Storm radio ready as well ! We clearly hear the Stevie Wonder "Higher Ground" inspired groove on "Changes (In Your Life)" with Patrice throwing down those funky chops on the Clavinet. "Ready" Freddie's fat and round bass notes cuts through the melody like soft butter, as well as the fuzzed guitar phrasings of Marlo Henderson. Sprinkle that with the ever so funky licks of Al McKay on rhythm guitar, you have a party extravaganza on your hands. Plus, if you were to double that with the steady back beat of Mr. Gadson on drums, along with the church like vocal vamps of the background singers consisting of Roy, Stephanie, Syreeta and Patrice, you'll be shouting down the aisles !
"Let's Sing A Song Of Love", takes us on a disco drenched twirl, acid jazzy, funky romp with Patrice's electric piano holding center stage. She magnificently tinkle the ivories that will, at times, remind one of the stylings of another colleague of hers, Ramsey Lewis, though Patrice's sound here is undoubtedly her own.The horns and the grooving rhythm section will certainly make you want to get up and dance. Once again, the combined lead vocals of Jim, Sheree, Oren, and Roy mesh very well together as they bob and weave in and out of the melody. Now we're back on a funk trip with"Hang It Up", as Patrice performs on the acoustic piano as her main keyboard of choice here. You can truly hear the fire and drive in her playing as Patrice's fingers glides across those 88 keys with ease and finesse ! Her Fender Rhodes performance adds a nice dimension to the hand claps and vocal fills that'll certainly have you swaying. You can't forget those horns, they too add great support and depth to this head bopper, as does the African percussion sounds which comes courtesy of Bill Summers. Now we take things a little easy with the wonderful Brazilian-esque feel of "Cha Cha". Patrice's lead vocal, as well as her layered background vocal performance, is gentle and soothing as a clear sunny day. Her vocal tone is very light and airy, and does not overwhelm you, which is executed just right. The track itself consisting of the"rhythm kings", Al and Marlo on guitars, James Gadson on drums, the dream combination of Bill and Paulinho on percussions, and the great bass playing of "Ready" Freddie, will have this song on the repeat mode in your CD player.
On "It's Just A Natural Thing", the sounds Earth, Wind & Fire will certainly come to mind. Yet again, Patrice takes those "elements", if you will, and make them totally her own. This time around, she get to flex her musical diversity by playing more than just the keyboards. She magnificently plays the drums, guitar (lead and rhythm mind you), percussion, and the ever so so funky Clavinet keyboard. She certainly held her own musically on this funky feel good feet mover.Yet again, the combined lead vocals of Patrice, Jim, Maxine and Oren Waters, and Stephanie Spruill add that "spit and glue", that truly brought this song home. "Didn't You Know", hey, what can I say about this marvelous, beautiful string arranged track. This song should be inducted into the "Slow Jam", "Top R&B Ballad", "Quiet Storm" Hall Of Fame, hands down. Patrice, once again, whom never ceases to amaze me, consistently and confidently, plays the bass guitar, celeste, percussion, drums, of course, the electric piano, and sing lead vocal, ..... and what a great lead vocal it is ! Paul Jackson's lightly plucked acoustic guitar, the harmonious and ear pleasing background vocals of Sheree, Roy, Syreeta and Patrice, the fantastic baritone horn performance of Clay Lawrey, coupled with the sweet Flugelhorn sound of Raymond Lee Brown, and the wah wah'd electric guitar of Marlo Henderson, are the joys that made this song endure the test of time, and would certainly work at Urban Adult Contemporary radio in 2011, some 33 years later after it's release. A lot of love songs today you won't play again after 33 minutes, but this song here !?!? Pssst ! You'll play for an eternity !! GUARANTEED !
Visit Patrice's Official Website at : www.patricerushen.com
You can also purchase this CD at Amazon.Com : http://www.amazon.com/Patrice-Rushen/dp/B00008BNUE/ref=sr_1_12?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1294705022&sr=1-12
Happy Listening !
Randy Holmes
The Urban Music Scene
Posted by Administration at 1/13/2011 9:30 AM 
Categories: Funk, Rhythm and Blues, Old School Soul, Videos, Cjazz
Tags: 70s Music
Categories: Funk, Rhythm and Blues, Old School Soul, Videos, Cjazz
Tags: 70s Music
Looks like you are an expert in this field, good post and keep up the great work, my buddy recommended me your blog.
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Hi Andre,
Thank you very much for your kind comments ! I really appreciate it ! ... Hey, I'm just a die hard music lover just like everyone else !
Peace !
Randy Holmes
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