Released: October 1978
Here we see the full emergence of the classic Patrice Rushen sound after the chrysalis album that was Shout It Out.
On Patrice, her whispery sincere vocals either reveal themselves as bubbly or pleading depending on the song’s need. We have (I think), the first appearance of mean bass player Freddie Washington, who would appear on every subsquent Rushen release through the 1980s. We gets often rich percussion. Lots of horns and strings that augment the sound when needed.
Importantly, Rushen produced lyrics to the music that were not formulaic R&B/pop tropes. They’re not the most profound things you’ve ever heard, but she and her co-writers had a way of taking the usual subjects and making them more than just baby, baby, baby, oooh how I love you, baby baby baby.
You’d get love songs, but it would be phrased and worded interestingly. And Rushen’s love songs were most effective when hitting upon yearning or longing, emotions that her voice was particularly adept at conveying.
The Funk
Rushen got her first hit with “Hang It Up” (#16 R&B). The song is a wee bit clunky, but in the end serves its purpose as a funky chantin’ jam just fine.
(Also just wanna say that in looking at the liner noters for this album I learned that Syreeta Wright sang backup vocals on this! I feel vindicated after all these years cuz I swore that the hook on “Hang It Up” had a high-pitched part that sounded so much like her and now I know it is her!)
“Changes (In Your Life)”. Now that’s my jam. Pulsating synth and a rollicking electric guitar rolling with some peppy whoa ooh oh ooh oh backing vocals. “Music of the Earth” is a quintessential piece of Rushen’s late 70s blend of jazzy funk. My other jam is “Play!” Pure nonsense and fun.
Hey, it’s Patrice first disco-ish song! “Let's Sing a Song of Love” is a fine enough groover especially if you want a cruise ship song. Rushen also delivers a sterling piano solo.
Perfunctory late 70s funk, thy name is “It's Just a Natural Thing”.
The R&B
Okay, so earlier, I wrote about Rushen’s way of making distinct love songs. Well, “When I Found You” is the most stereotyical love song you’ll get out of here. It’s a quiet unremarkable ballad. She’d get much better at these kind of songs.
The lyrics gets better on “Wishful Thinking”, but the music has trouble keeping up as its even more unremarkable than “When I Found You” despite its acoustic guitar. “Didn't You Know?” maintains the unremarkableness.
Okay, finally slow one I can work with. “Cha-Cha” is not full on R&B or soul, but an island flavored two-stepper. Guess that’s why it works.
ALBUM GRADE: C+
A generous C+ cuz I think the album’s main problem (but also saving grace) is that the really good stuff is mixed up with the average and mediocre. So, the album never really catches fires, but it never gets bogged down either.
Song Scores
Music of the Earth: 7.5/10
When I Found You: 6/10
Changes (In Your Life): 7.5/10
Wishful Thinking: 4/10
Let's Sing a Song of Love: 7.5/10
Hang It Up: 7/10
Cha-Cha: 6.5/10
It's Just a Natural Thing: 5/10
Didn't You Know?: 5/10
Play!: 7.5/10