Released: October 1979
Pizzazz was easily Patrice Rushen’s most successful album to date. It rose to #11 on the R&B albums chart and even #39 on the pop side of things. Can’t say the actual material here justifies the lofty positions, though. At least not more so than Patrice from the previous year.
The Super Good Stuff
“Haven't You Heard” is one of the best disco songs ever made combining a swirling rush of strings with a piano hook to die for. And the bass man is thumping. Bless Freddie Washington.
Rushen’s lyrics are a delight as she sings about “an ad listed in the classifieds”. No degree required, she’s “just looking for the perfect guy.”
And for the jazz snobs out there, she gives a delightful electric keyboard solo starting at around the 3:30 mark during the song’s epic breakdown that slowly builds back up to swirling heights. It may be disco, but Patrice was still gonna give you that jazzy inflection.
Best news for Patrice was that this was a genuine hit for her as “Haven’t You Heard” reached #7 R&B and nearly cracked the pop top 40 (#42). Also was #5 on the disco chart good measure. That last fact probably didn’t make the jazz critics happy.
The other standout song (although not as good as “Haven’t You Heard”) is the ballad with DJ Rogers, “Givin' It Up Is Givin' Up”. It is the first unequivocally good Rushen ballad.
The Disco and Funk
Want mindless disco? “Let the Music Take Me” is here just for you. It manages to not be useless thanks to a fine Rushen electric piano solo. Of course, if Patrice sits down for a piano solo it’ll always be at least fine.
“Call on Me” does a much better job channeling the disco groove, although it lacks the keyboard solo. So that’s a downer. “Message in the Music” is slow groover… and a sho nuff filler track.
The R&B
“Keeping the Faith in Love” is Rushen’s first flirtation with copping Earth, Wind & Fire’s style. The results are good, but she’d much better at it.
Le sigh, another sleepy Rushen ballad in “Settle for My Love”. Thank goodness one day she would figure out to make these things dreamy instead of sleepy.
ALBUM GRADE: C+
This album is mostly harmless and inoffensive pop-funk. Aside from “Haven’t You Heard” nothing truly breaks out and grabs your attention. But like I said, harmless and inoffensive. And there are catchy hooks, so in the moment you’ll enjoy most of this even if afterwards only a couple songs will stick in your mind.
Song Scores
Let the Music Take Me: 5/10
Keeping the Faith in Love: 7/10
Settle for My Love: 5/10
Message in the Music: 6/10
Haven't You Heard: 8.5/10
Givin' It Up Is Givin' Up: 7/10
Call On Me: 6/10