So Real: The Complete Elektra Recordings 1978-1984

The Patrice Rushen revival is in full swing with definitive reissues of her classic albums and a global Tik Tok dance craze around her best-loved hit, ‘Forget Me Nots’. Now, Strut present her complete Elektra recordings in one essential 5CD set on ‘So Real’.

After a series of acclaimed soul-jazz albums for prestige Records, Patrice came to Elektra as the label branched out from its trademark soft rock sound to hone a roster catering to the burgeoning “sophisticated R&B” audience during the late ‘70s, at the tail end of the disco boom. Pulling together a tight team of musicians and studio craftsmen that she had worked with and respected through writing and performing sessions in L.A., including her mentor Reggie Andrews and producer Charles Mims, Patrice combined intricate, punchy big band arrangements with her new role as lead vocalist on Patrice in 1978. The album set the template for a series of classic recordings, bringing soulful style and musicality to dancefloors. Pizzazz (1979) ushered in the huge club hit ‘Haven’t You Heard’ and classic tender ballad ‘Settle For My Love’, before Posh and the infectious single ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ a year later. Then in 1982, the landmark album Straight From The Heart and the worldwide crossover success of ‘Forget ME Nots’ following a self-funded PR campaign. Now ended her time with Elektra in 1984, a more stripped back, synth-led affair led by ‘Feels So Real (Won’t Let Go)’ and the reflective ‘To Each His Own’. 

As well as through covers, samples and regular use in films, TV and ads (most famously in the film ‘Men In Black’ and on George Michael’s ‘Fastlove’), Patrice’s music has endured over the years as each new generation discovers her recordings. “So much of what happened with these records happened years after they had come out as people discovered them,” Patrice explains. “And that’s the biggest compliment of all, that the music is still being played. It’s kinda cool.”

‘So Real’ features all five of Patrice’s Elektra albums  in their expanded editions including 12” versions, instrumentals and unreleased takes from the original sessions. A 32-page booklet features complete lyrics and new interviews with Patrice and the set has been fully remastered by The Carvey from the original reel to reel tapes. 

Tracklist

CD 1: ‘Patrice’ (1978)
1.Music of The Earth
2. When I Found You
3. Changes (In Your Life)
4. Wishful Thinking
5. Let’s Sing A Song of Love
6. Hang It Up
7. Cha-Cha
8. It’s Just A Natural Thing
9. Didn’t You Know?
10. Play!
11. Music of The Earth (Danny Krivit Edit)
12. Hang It Up (12” Version)
13. Play! (12” Version)

14. Didn’t You Know? (Extended Version)

CD 2: ‘Pizzazz’ (1979)
1.Let The Music Take Me
2. Keepin’ Faith In Love
3. Settle For My Love
4. Message In The Music
5. Haven’t You Heard
6. Givin’ It Up Is Givin’ Up
7. Call On Me
8. Reprise (Message In The Music)
9. Haven’t You Heard (12” Version)
10. Let The Music Take Me (12” Version)
11. Givin’ It Up Is Givin’ Up (Instrumental Version)

CD 3: ‘Posh’ (1980)
1.Never Gonna Give You Up (Won’t Let You Be)
2. Don’t Blame Me
3. Look Up!
4. I Need Your Love
5. Time Will Tell
6. The Dream
7. The Funk Won’t Let You Down
8. This Is All I Really Know
9. Look Up! (12” Version)

CD 4: ‘Straight From The Heart’ (1982)
1.Forget Me Nots
2. I Was Tired of Being Alone
3. All We Need
4. Number One (Instrumental)
5. Where There Is Love
6. Breakout
7. If Only
8. Remind Me
9. (She Will) Take You Down To Love
10. Forget Me Nots (12” Version)
11. Breakout (12” Version)
12. I Was Tired of Being Alone (12” Version)
13. Number One (12” Version)

CD 5: ‘Now’ (1984)
1.Feels So Real (Won’t Let Go)
2. Gone With The Night
3. Gotta Find It
4. Superstar
5. Heartache Heartbreak
6. Get Off (You Fascinate Me)
7. My Love’s Not Going Anywhere
8 Perfect Love
9. High In Me
10. To Each His Own
11. Get Off (You Fascinate Me) (12” Version)
12. Get Off (You Fascinate Me) (Instrumental)
13. Feels So Real (Edit)
14. Feels so Real (Won’t Let Go) (Dub Version)

Soundwave

https://youtu.be/GUVV1gWOMGM