Patrice Rushen - Pizzazz (Expanded Edition) 2LP

While I accept that much of my music taste sits in the niche interest category, I do love some things that I believe deserve near-universal adoration. For example, Chic - C’est Chic, the songs ‘What A Fool Believes’ (Doobie Bros) and ‘Do Anything You Wanna Do’ (The Rods), first two Big Star albums, first 3 Funkadelic records and the ‘78-‘84 run of albums by living legend Patrice Rushen.

Rushen began as a virtuosic jazz pianist but by her fourth LP had forsaken fusion for contemporary funk and disco sounds. Not exactly the same path Miles Davis would take, as Patrice writes heartwarming pop bangers, but she’s got a similar degree of iconic swag.

Strut Records 2022 reissue campaign of Rushen’s Elektra years have brought me so much joy. I opted for the CD Box Set, but the 2LP reissues are very spiffy. Today, Pizzazz is my favourite of her albums, but it’s a close race between all of them! - Nic

Patrice Rushen’s all-time classic 1979 album for Elektra Records

This album marked another progression in Rushen’s solo career as she broke through with the huge club hit ‘Haven’t You Heard’ and also featured on her LP cover with her trademark braids for the first time courtesy of stylist Sibongile Bradley and top photographer Norman Seeff.

The album showcased Rushen’s famed talent for bringing the right musicians together, mixing more experienced players like drummer James Gadson and Bill Summers with younger talent including bassist Freddie Washington and drummer “Ndugu” Chancler. The tracks themselves were more spacious than on ‘Patrice’, released 18 months earlier. “It was the confidence of feeling that we didn't need quite as much in the arrangements,” Patrice explains, “and the times were also changing in terms of what we liked, what we danced to and the kind of grooves that people responded to. With ‘Pizzazz’, we had the advantage of a rapport with radio and black press, which were both very powerful at the time.”

Alongside ‘Haven’t You Heard’, the album features many tracks that have become fan favourites over the years - the upbeat, carefree single ‘Let The Music Take Me’, the sweet ballad ‘Settle For Me Love’ and a memorable duet with Roy Galloway, ‘Givin’ It Up Is Givin’ In’.

Strut’s expanded reissue of ‘Pizzazz’ is packaged in full original artwork and featuring loud cut bonus 12” versions of the album’s singles ‘Haven’t You Heard’ and ‘Let The Music Take Me’, alongside a previously unreleased instrumental version of ‘Givin’ It Up Is Givin’ Up’. Package includes rare photos by Bobby Holland and a new interview with Patrice Rushen. All tracks remastered from the original tapes by The Carvery.  - Strut