In 1974, a reputable jazz label released a debut album by a young, prodigal pianist where all of the songs are her originals and boasted sax icon Joe Henderson as a sideman. That Prestige Records album is Prelusion and that young keyboard whiz is Patrice Rushen.
Recorded a month shy of Rushen’s twentieth birthday, Prelusion showcases so much technical prowess, feel and composing sophistication from a teenager, it felt like the beginning of the long and fruitful music career that actually transpired (and continues to the present day).
Each of the five songs is a revelation. “Shortie’s Portion” is snappy, heady post-bop and Rushen’s piano solo is full of energy, passion and virtuosity. Henderson’s signature expressions follow, but even after his veteran performance, nineteen-year-old Rushen still belonged in the same room with him. Oscar Brashear is next, and his trumpet makes it three for three in standout individual presentations.
Rushen’s capabilities extend to writing through-composed, symphonic jazz pieces like “7/73,” suggesting that even back then the classically-trained Rushen had in-depth understanding of orchestral music and arrangement, able to adapt such concepts into a smaller group setting while also leaving space for delicate solos from her, Hadley Caliman (flute) and George Bohanon (trombone).
The taut, funky number “Haw-Right Now” showcases Rushen’s prime electric piano skills, which at this time was very evocative of Herbie Hancock and hints to how well Henderson might have fit into a funk-jazz unit like the Head Hunters. Returning to an all-acoustic format — this time down to a piano/bass/drums trio — “Traverse” swings as Rushen shows hints of McCoy Tyner, Bill Evans and others refined into her own piano language. Bassist Tony Dumas gets his turn to take a solo and stand out.
“Puttered Bopcorn,” with lead lines played on a Moog synthesizer and its knotty funky rhythm arranged by the drummer Leon ‘Ndugu’ Chancler, pointed the way toward the crossover jazz that Rushen would increasingly embrace on her way to ever more accessible music.
By her the time she had switched over to Elektra Records and recorded her fourth album in 1978, Patrice Rushen had largely crossed over into RnB music, and became known as a RnB singer more than a jazz piano player. It’s no criticism however, because she’s good at that, too. She’s also written film scores, acted as musical director, done countless session dates, and has long been a music educator. She’s just too diversely talented to keep it confined to one area.
Nonetheless, actual jazz records under her name are rare, which make such records more appreciated. Five decades hence, Prelusion continues to be more than some artifact of its time, it’s the auspicious introduction of a precocious, enormous talent.
Prelusion was remastered and re-released in 2024 by Concord Music Group.
*** Patrice Rushen CD’s and vinyl on Amazon ***
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