Patrice

Patrice Rushen pivoted from jazz-focused instrumental work to a songwriter and singer with this breakthrough debut. The record includes the distinct bassline of Hang It Up, a piece which functioned as a dance floor staple and a masterclass in genre fusion.

Elektra Records provided a home for this refined, sophisticated style that defined the late seventies. The audio balances rhythmic exactness with lush orchestration, marking the precise moment when jazz players started to command the soul and disco charts.