Patrice Rushen: Prelusion (1974) + Before the Dawn (1975)

The lineup features the top jazz/fusion artists at the time (Bob James, Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour, George Benson and other fusion heavyweights) so it has a mix of R&B, funk and jazz. The disco-funk songs are bearable but the most of the lyrics lower them down to the level of mindless, shake-yo-booty type grooves. The instrumental cuts and level of top-notch musicianship are what keeps this album from becoming just another pop-jazz outing that I would have given only two stars.
But I'll still give this album four stars simply because "What's Goin' On". This one cut alone is worth a extra star. This version features the same tight rhythm section featured on George Benson's "Breezin'" and "In Flight" albums. Although the song is supposed to be a somber tune, Harvey Mason's arrangement turns into an upbeat, finger-snapping joy. Harvey is kind enough to let George and Jorge do their thing while he sits back and keeps a solid groove going. I dare say that this song was probably intended for a George Benson album but was dropped for some reason or another. Regardless, this is the best remake of the old Marvin Gaye classic.
In any case; it's certainly worth checking out. -- (Amazon.com)
Tracklist:
01. Shortie's Portion (8:42)
02. 7/73 (12:32)
03. Haw-Right Now (8:00)
04. Traverse (10:53)
05. Kickin' Back (7:35)
06. What's The Story (5:15)
07. Jubilation (5:58)
08. Before The Dawn (8:18)
09. Razzia (9:41)
Personnel:
Patrice Rushen - keyboards, tambourine, cabasa
Joe Henderson - tenor saxophone
George Bohanon - trombone
Oscar Brashear - trumpet, flugelhorn
Hubert Laws - flute
Hadley Caliman - flute, alto flute, soprano saxophone
Lee Ritenour - guitar
Charles Meeks & Tony Dumas - bass
Harvey Mason & Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums
Nate Alfred & Kenneth Nash - percussion
Josie James - vocals on What's The Story
Prelusion / Before the Dawn
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Terence Blanchard: Jazz In Film (1999)

Terence Blanchard covers classic motion picture scores with an expressive jazz trumpet and approach to straight-ahead jazz on the 1998 Sony Classical release Jazz In Film. Scores by Duke Ellington (Anatomy of a Murder), Quincy Jones (The Pawn Broker) and Jerry Goldsmith (Chinatown) are immersed in the world of jazz and resurface complete with Blanchard's imprint and eloquent style that is reminiscent of mid-'60s Miles Davis. Accompanied by contemporary jazz masters such as Kenny Kirkland, Joe Henderson and Donald Harrison, the set features the precision and emotional flair Blanchard is known for. His interpretations of Goldsmith's score from Chinatown and Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver remain true to the original compositions. However, Blanchard's jazz execution develops and adds another dimension to the psychological turmoil their themes explore. His masterful use of a jazz ensemble with an orchestra to exemplify the music of such great composers as Elmer Bernstein (Man with the Golden Arm) exudes maturity and surpasses the excellence of his previous scoring efforts on the jazz-flavored score for Eve's Bayou. ~ Paula Edelstein, All Music Guide

Tracklist
1 A Streetcar Named Desire 7:55
2 Chinatown 8:23
3 The Subterraneans 9:08
4 Anatomy Of A Murder 8:25
5 The Pawnbroker 7:03
6 Taxi Driver 7:13
7 Degas' Racing World 7:57
8 Man With The Golden Arm 4:14
9 Clockers 8:01
Jazz In Film (Film Score Anthology)
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