Patrice Rushen’s debut LP gets an audiophile update…
Patrice Rushen – Prelusion – Prestige/Jazz Dispensary # CR0076 – 1974- stereo -180 gm vinyl – ****
(Patrice Rushen – acoustic & electric piano, clavinet, ARP synthesizers; George Bohanon – trombone; Oscar Brashear – trumpet, flugelhorn; Hadley Caliman – flute, alto flute, soprano sax; Joe Henderson – tenor sax; Tony Dumas – electric & “blitz” bass; Ndugu – drums; Kenneth Nash – percussion)
Pianist, Patrice Rushen, has been on the jazz & R&B scene for a half century. She was a child piano prodigy, and attended the University of Southern California, earning a music degree. Since then, Patrice has spread her musical wings in a wide range of motifs, including forays into singing, film composition, and education (both at the Berklee School of Music and the USC Thorton School of Music).
Rushen served as music conductor and arranger three times for the Grammy Awards, and has been nominated as well for Grammys for her own R&B compositions.
The boutique audiophile LP label, Jazz Dispensary, as part of their Top Shelf Series, is giving her debut Prestige issue, Prelusion, a long overdue re-release. Using the original master tapes for the vinyl lacquers, and pressed on 180 gm vinyl, the acoustics are superb. This was Rushen’s debut album for Prestige, recorded when she was only 20 years old. Prestige thought so highly of her talents that they used their major roster talent to back her.
The horn section of Oscar Brashear and George Bohanon; saxophonists Hadley Caliman and Joe Henderson(!), along with Tony Dumas on bass and Ndugu on drums, shows that Patrice had arrived as a major talent at such a young age.
Rushen wrote all the tracks, and handled the arrangements. What immediately stands out 50 years later, is her sophistication and maturity, both as a composer and pianist. Here she bridges straight ahead jazz, funk, and electronic motifs. There are ventures into emerging modal, and open free expression.
“Shortie’s Portion” has a great ensemble horn section, while “7/73” has generous solos provided for band members on its 12+ minutes. “Haw-Right Now” has a funk blend, and Rushen’s electric piano runs are met with response by the horns. Joe Henderson enters avant territory, and Tony Dumas’ electric bass fills out the bottom end.
“Traverse” has the horns sit out, while Patrice and the rhythm section are featured on a straight ahead jazz composition. The closer, “Puttered Bopcorn,” lets Rushen play with electronics, utilizing her ARP synthesizers.
It’s a special treat to revisit Patrice Rushen’s emerging talents on her debut album. Hearing her leading a band of veterans, playing her own songs had to be an exciting opportunity for her. Now five decades later, in remastered audiophile quality vinyl, listeners get to hear the magic once again.
—Jeff Krow
Tracklist:
Side 1:
Shortie’s Portion
7/73
Side 2:
Haw-Right Now
Traverse
Puttered Bopcorn
