| Before the Dawn | ||||
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| Studio album by Patrice Rushen | ||||
| Released | 1975 | |||
| Recorded | August 1975, Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
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| Label | Prestige | |||
| Producer | Reggie Andrews | |||
| Patrice Rushen chronology | ||||
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| Allmusic | link |
Before the Dawn was the second album by jazz/R&B singer Patrice Rushen. While 1974's Prelusion was essentially a straight-ahead record with fusion references, 1975's Before the Dawn album 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 has a more funk tune which features singer Josie James. The 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. Everything else on the album, however, is instrumental jazz — although instrumental jazz that 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, which would be her last with Prestige Records.
All tracks composed and arranged by Patrice Rushen