This 1998 CD reissues keyboardist
Patrice Rushen's first two recordings as a leader except for one selection (
"Puttered Bopcorn") from the first date that was left out due to lack of space. Twenty at the time of the earlier set,
Rushen showed a great deal of potential for the future, potential that (at least in the jazz world) was unfortunately never realized.
Rushen is heard on the
Prelusion album heading a septet that includes tenor-saxophonist
Joe Henderson (the most memorable soloist), trumpeter
Oscar Brashear, trombonist
George Bohanon and
Hadley Caliman on reeds; the music is essentially advanced hard bop with touches of fusion. The later date has a similar group (without
Henderson) and with guest spots for flutist
Hubert Laws and guitarist
Lee Ritenour. The R&B-ish vocal by
Josie James on
"What's the Story" hints at where
Rushen would be going in the future: straight to the pop market. So overall this CD, which should have served as a bright beginning for the young keyboardist, is practically the artistic high point of
Patrice Rushen's erratic career. ~ Scott Yanow
![Slipknot [Reissue]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0016861865528_p0_v2_s90x140.jpg "Slipknot [Reissue]")
