Customer Reviews

Haven't You Heard: The Best of Patrice Rushen

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

I don't know why, but Rhino packages albums better than anyone else. The company has done a magnificent job of compiling the best of Miss Rushen, an extraordinary musical talent who soars as songwriter, instrumentalist, and performer. All of her great ones are here: the disco favorites "Haven't You Heard," and "Number One" (an instrumental wonder), the smooth and subtle "Remind Me" and "Feels So Real (Won't Let Go)", and "Forget Me Nots," a tune that "inspired" Will Smith's smash "Men in Black."

Other outstanding cuts are "Breakout!" "Givin' It Up is Given' Up, "Hang it Up" and "When I Found You."

There are not many on the current musical scene that have a fraction of Miss Rushen's skills. It is unfortunate that she, like so many other real musicians, seems to have been forgotten by record labels in their search for the next clone of Brittney Spears or The Backstreet Boys!

The only glaring issue with this disc is that it does not include the 7 minute 12" version of Patricia's biggest hit, "Forget Me Nots." (available on the reissue of that full album). But it is a great place to get all of her billboard dance hits, and then some. Track times:

1. hang it up (5:12)

2. When I found you (5:21)

3 haven't you heard (6:47)

4. Settle for my love (5:17)

5. Givin it up is givin up (5:03)

6. Look up (3:42)

7. Never gonna give you up (6:53)

8. Forget me nots (4:45)

9. Breakout (4:06)

10. Remind me (5:18)

11. Number one (4:58)

12. Feels so real (6:51)

13. Get off (6:20)

14. Watch out (5:24)

When people go on and on about the talent of Alicia Keys & India Arie, I wish they were also able to acknowledge the towering talent of Patrice Rushen.

Not only is she a prodigy who began playing the piano at age 3, but she has parlayed that talent into the r&b/jazz fields then used her talent to score several awards shows.

I usually buy "best of" compilation albums to get a feel for the artist and if I love what I hear, I try to buy all of their albums retroactively. Suffice it to say that after listening to this disc, I will absolutely be adding to my collection.

The standout tracks for me are: Haven't You Heard, Settle For My Love, Look Up!, Forget Me Nots & Remind Me.

Patrice Rushen is the BOMB and the young 'uns I mentioned above could definitely learn at her knee (esp Ms. Keys to preserve her longevity).

Back in the early 80s, R&B began it's long downhill slide into being overrun by jerri-curled synthesizer bangers and all booty and no talent female "singers." Patrice Rushen's music shone through during this dismal era. Check out the ending and fade-out of the uplifting "Haven't You Heard" and it's equally pleasing followup "Never Gonna Give You Up." Sadly, true talent like Miss Rushen, Deneice Williams, etc. did not get their due recognition due to underpromotion and the trash that cluttered the airwaves of the era, but this CD rectifies that injustice in part.

Couldn't be any better. I love Patrice!!. This one of my favorite cds. Though I was not born at the time all of these songs were coming out ( 1985), I love all of these songs. Bought this cd to hear the original " Remind Me" sampled by Mary J. Blige. Favorites besides the hit "Forget Me Nots" include the disco " Haven't You Heard", "Settle for my love", my personal favorite " Givin it up is givin up" and "Look up!".

This is a great 'sampler' of Patrice's music, and it would be great if ALL (including her early jazz work! ) of her albums were reissued on CD because 'The Best Of Patrice Rushen' only scratches the surface of her talents. Kudos to Rhino Records for releasing a nice product. I wish that Patrice's earlier jazz albums on Prestige ('Prelusion', 'Shout It Out', and 'Before The Dawn') could be released in thier entirety, but until then get this CD for starters!

For all those hip hop fans, let's go to school..How many have sampled Patrice? Do your homework. She is so underrated in my opinion. She certainly has not gotten her due in this generation. Patrice has always been one to reckon with and she DIRECTS BANDS, WRITES SCORES...etc..etc... Learn my children and add this one to the collection!

I have been a longtime fan of Ms.Rushen. So when I heard about this CD. I couldn't wait to buy it. She's such a wonderful multi-talented singer. She is still going strong with going as far as doing the theme song for the Steve Harvey Show. My favorite song is Remind me. So run out and get this CD. It seems good talented artists are a dime a dozen these days.

A worthy insight into the world of the multi-talented Patrice - it's a gem throughout with each track having it's own merits

What we need now is the re-issue of classics "Pizzazz", "Posh" & "Shout It Out" and the rest of this fine composers catalogue

this woman is multi-talented period.the songs her voice her keyboard playing and the rich textures in the arrangements still hold up.from the title cut forget me nots,you remind me etc.. still sound fresh.it's a shame more folks don't know this genius cuz her songs have been sampled to death.but for folks who know her she is badd!!!!!!