Bleep

Press Release

Strut reissue one of Patrice Rushen’s all-time classic albums forElektra Records with an expanded 2LP edition of ‘Pizzazz’ from1979.

The album marked another progression in Rushen’s solo career asshe broke through with the huge club hit ‘Haven’t You Heard’ andalso featured on her LP cover with her trademark braids for thefirst time courtesy of stylist Sibongile Bradley and topphotographer Norman Seeff.

The album showcased Rushen’s famed talent for bringing theright musicians together, mixing more experienced players likedrummer James Gadson and Bill Summers with younger talentincluding bassist Freddie Washington and drummer “Ndugu”Chancler. The tracks themselves were more spacious than on‘Patrice’, released 18 months earlier. “It was the confidence offeeling that we didn't need quite as much in the arrangements,”Patrice explains, “and the times were also changing in terms ofwhat we liked, what we danced to and the kind of grooves thatpeople responded to. With ‘Pizzazz’, we had the advantage of arapport with radio and black press, which were both very powerfulat the time.”

Alongside ‘Haven’t You Heard’, the album features many tracksthat have become fan favourites over the years - the upbeat,carefree single ‘Let The Music Take Me’, the sweet ballad ‘SettleFor Me Love’ and a memorable duet with Roy Galloway, ‘Givin’ ItUp Is Givin’ In’.

Strut’s expanded reissue of ‘Pizzazz’ features loud cut bonusextended 12” versions of the album’s singles ‘Haven’t You Heard’and ‘Let The Music Take Me’, alongside a previously unreleasedinstrumental version of ‘Givin’ It Up Is Givin’ Up’.