Before the Dawn (Patrice Rushen album)

Before the Dawn is the second album by jazz/R&B musician Patrice Rushen; while 1974's Prelusion was essentially a straight-ahead record with fusion references, 1975's Before the Dawn was essentially a fusion album. With this album, Rushen brings a fusion of R&B, pop, and rock elements to her jazz foundation.

The album included the song "What's the Story," which was the only song that did not have a jazz artist's sound; it had a more funk tune which featured singer Josie James. This would later be compared with songs from her follow-up albums as it showed great resemblance to her work as an R&B singer with Elektra Records. However, everything else on the album, is instrumental jazz — although instrumental jazz is mindful of R&B, pop, and rock. The album was a clear step for Rushen as it showed her entrance to R&B music and exit from jazz music.

Her next album was Shout It Out, her last with Prestige Records.

Track listing

All tracks composed and arranged by Patrice Rushen.

1. "Kickin' Back" - 7:27
2. "What's the Story" – 5:15
3. "Jubilation" - 6:05
4. "Before the Dawn" - 8:30
5. "Razzia" - 9:41

Personnel

• Patrice Rushen – acoustic piano, electric piano, clavinet, synthesizers, tambourine, cabasa
• Lee Ritenour – guitars
• Charles Meeks – bass (1, 2, 4, 5)
• Tony Dumas – bass (3)
• Leon "Ndugu" Chancler – drums (1, 2)
• Harvey Mason – drums (3, 4, 5)
• Nate Alfred – percussion (1, 2, 5)
• Kenneth Nash – percussion (3, 4)
• Hadley Caliman – tenor saxophone (1, 2)
• George Bohanon – trombone (1, 2, 4)
• Oscar Brashear – trumpet, flugelhorn (1, 2, 4)
• Hubert Laws – flute, alto flute (3, 4)
• Josie James – vocals (2)
• Nate Alfred, Reggie Andrews, Thelette Bennett, Josie James, Charles Meeks, Charles Mims, Patrice Rushen, Evelyn Wesley, Jimmie Lee Wesley, Brenda White and Martha Young – handclaps (2)

Production

• Reggie Andrews – producer, remixing
• Charles Mims – special production assistance
• Skip Shimmin – engineer, remixing
• Patrice Rushen – remixing
• David Turner – mastering
• Phil Carroll – art direction, design
• Phil Bray – photography

References