Customer Reviews

Straight From the Heart

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a classic soul LP that is just this side of flawless (some of the production is dated) but it is also a classic that somehow got lost since it was released just months before the Jackson Juggernaut known as "Thriller". While Rushen had been a regular fixture on the Soul/R&B charts since the late 70's, "Straight From The Heart" was her first real pop crossover success and it's easy to see why; the hits are here in all their glory "Forget Me Not's" (this song will NEVER sound old)the full length version of "Remind Me" complete with it's jazzy, cymbal accented intro and electric piano solo, and the positively gorgeous "Where There Is Love", possibly the prettiest melody she's ever composed. The closer, "(She Will)Take You Down To Love" is a stunning, acoustic guitar driven ballad with a hint of danger that nicely rounds out this classic. If you can find it, get the original 9 song LP (I own 2 copies) since the 12" versions don't really enhance the album. This is a brisk pleasure from start to finish.

"Straight From The Heart" is for the most part synthesized,
uptempo and very contemporary but Patrice's appealing mixture of
keyboards and live musicians make this album a through and though delight!"Forget Me Nots" does really some up much of
this album's sound with "I Was Tired Of Being Alone",the Stevie Wonder-like "All We Need" and the instrumental "Number One" being in the same vein."Breakout" is a clavinet-driven funk-rock
ditty while the wistfully jazzy "If Only" and the nearly acoustic
ballad "Remind Me" and the more electric slow groove "Where Is the Love" offer a change of pace.12" remixes are added to
make this interesting to collectors but if you want to get into
Patrice Rushen this is WITHOUT QUESTION where to go first!

Patrice Rushen is a genious and this album Straight From The Heart is a must have classic. Of course the unforgettable Forget Me Nots is here but it seems as every song is unforgettable. From All We Need to the magnificent Remind Me to the incredible Where There Is Love, Patrice Rushen keeps the jams comin. And if you REALLY want to jam just put on that Number One, a very great instrumental that keeps you movin. Patrice Rushen was one of the greats that got lost in the shuffle even though her songs are easily recognizable. I'd advise anybody who loves great music to go get this album ASAP! You won't be disappointed trust me! Masterpiece

Patrice is the best!!. I bought this cd along with her greatest hits. This cd really shines. I am only 18 years old. This cd came out 3 years before my time. When i bought the cd I was truly amazed. Of course, I liked the hit " Forget Me Nots" ( this song will never become old, I jam every time I hear it) but there are also other favorites of mine on here also such as: I Was Tired of Being Alone, All We Need, Where there is love( a true gem) and my favorite, favorite that was never released as a single according to my research , " Remind Me". A true classic!

This CD, originally released in 1982, in my opinion represents her best work,really showcasing her versatility. From being able to make you get up and dance (consider Will Smith's using Forget-Me-Nots for his Men-In-Black rap), to soothing love songs (Remind Me, my personal favorite on the CD, is a gem that deserved much more attention than it ever received) this CD provides a little something for everyone. She even gives a taste of her instrumental ability with the upbeat groove Number One. These songs combined with a strong supporting cast make for a CD that is extremely listenable; one you can put on and just let it play. Every artist has that one album that features them at their best. For me, this was the one for Patrice. While she has gone on to do some fine other work, including a jazz recording with a group known as "The Meeting", and being musical director for the "Comic Aid" specials, this for me will always be the one she's known for.

One of the most prolific and underrated musicians out there, Patrice Rushen has had a stellar career contributing her funk to the likes of Stanley Clarke, Jean Luc Ponty, and George Duke among others. This is an all around artist who actually writes, plays multiple instruments and sings. Not some pop "diva" bolstered to fake stardom by millions of dollars from the Big 5, or even constant radio airplay. Patrice Rushen is the real deal funkateer that many true musicians respect. If you don't know, you had better ask somebody! ! !

Yet another album (see my preceding review) that's just made the vinyl-to-CD transition in my collection. The ballad "Where There Is Love" and the stomping "Breakout!" are both worth checking out but the real meat here is to be found on the club hit "Forget Me Nots", sampled in recent times by both Will Smith ("Men In Black") and George Michael ("Fastlove"), the incredible instrumental "Number One" (a huge favourite among the dance & rare groove set for years) and of course, the beautiful mid-tempo ballad "Remind Me" with its sick electric piano solo - also sampled, this time back in the 90s by Faith Evans ("Fallin' In Love") and 'referred to' by Mary J Blige ("You Remind Me").

This is one gem of an album. Patrice Rushen has always been vastly underrated in my opinion, both as a vocalist and a keyboard player and if you don't believe me, check this one out and see for yourself. It's a solid set of 80s jazz influenced funk, r&b and soul.

And once again, surprisingly, the five bonus tracks - 12" mixes of "Forget Me Nots", "Breakout!" & "Number One", and single (or radio) versions of "Forget Me Nots" and "Breakout!" - though while perhaps a tad superfluous, are all welcome additions and make a great album just that little bit better. "Remind Me" is one of my favourite 'quiet storm' tunes of all time and I would've bought this CD for that song alone. Lucky then that there's so much more on offer here

Production by Charles Mims, Jr & Patrice Rushen is as clear as a bell. Another solid classic.

I enjoyed this cd to the max! Just took me back to the days when I had the parachute pants, Jheri Curl (Which probably explains my baldness today!), and sported Vans (checkerboard shoes)! Patrice would come on and the block party would go nuts!!!

I first heard "Straight From the Heart" from Patrice Rushen when I was 2 years old, I could'nt believe that somebody could 'jam' so hard!! Of couse when one person thinks about Patrice Rushen they think of 'Forget Me Nots' but what about 'All We Need' and (one of my personal favorites on the album)'Where There is Love'(among others). Incredibly,this album is nothing but hits! I'll tell you "Straight From the Heart" is one of the eighties' best. I like the album, hope you do too! BY THE WAY.. I'm only 15 years old!

Straight from the Heart has been my introduction to Patrice Rushen. I fist read about her in a Prince fansite. So, curiousity took the best of me and I listened to a few audios in the web. At that point, I decided to search for any of her CDs that I could find. This is the only CD I found in a brick-and-mortar store. Patrice is so talented in many genres like funk, R&B, and jazz. The sweet and silky voice she has is very relaxing and has this aura of confidence.