Pizzazz

Last updated
Pizzazz
Pizzazz.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 23, 1979
Recorded19781979
Studio Conway Recording Studios
(Hollywood, California)
Genre Disco, R&B, jazz funk
Length38:44
Label Elektra
Producer
Patrice Rushen chronology
Patrice
(1978)
Pizzazz
(1979)
Let There Be Funk: The Best of Patrice Rushen
(1980)

Pizzazz is the fifth album by American singer Patrice Rushen, released in 1979.

Contents

While she was attacked for leaving the jazz genre, Rushen was able to get a good fan base with an R&B/Pop audience. Rushen's profile in the R&B world continued to increase with Pizzazz, her second album for Elektra Records. Rushen drew on such influences as Earth, Wind & Fire, Minnie Riperton, Stevie Wonder, and The Emotions. Rushen was able get the R&B lover's attention with songs such as the funky opener "Let the Music Take Me," the soulful ballad "Settle for My Love," and the perky "Keepin' Faith in Love." Pizzazz received plenty of attacks from jazz critics, who accused Rushen of being a traitor, but from an R&B/Pop perspective the album is considered one of Rushen's most rewarding and essential albums.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]

The Boston Globe called Pizzazz a "really a good disco album, with a few non-disco numbers to break the monotony... The non-disco cuts are slower funk tunes which often recall Earth, Wind and Fire." [2]

Pizzazz was her second highest-charting album, reaching #39 in 1979. It features the hit single "Haven't You Heard." The single soared to the top of R&B radio playlists and is among Rushen's biggest hits.

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Let the Music Take Me"
  • Patrice Rushen
  • Sheree Brown
6:51
2."Keepin' Faith in Love"
  • P. Rushen
  • Angela Rushen
4:08
3."Settle for My Love"
5:15
4."Message in the Music"P. Rushen3:01
5."Haven't You Heard"
  • P. Rushen
  • Charles Mims Jr.
  • Washington
  • Brown
6:45
6."Givin' It Up is Givin' Up"
  • P. Rushen
  • Washington
  • A. Rushen
4:59
7."Call On Me"
  • P. Rushen
  • A. Rushen
  • Brown
6:48
8."Reprise (Message in the Music)"P. Rushen0:57

Personnel

Handclaps

Horns / Horn Contractors

Strings

Production

Charts

Chart (1980)Peak
position
Billboard Pop Albums [3] 39
Billboard Top Soul Albums [3] 11
Billboard Top Jazz Albums [3] 2

Singles

YearSingleChart positions [4]
US
Pop
US
R&B
US
Dance
1980"Givin' It Up Is Givin' Up"-47-
"Haven't You Heard"4275
"Let The Music Take Me"-50-

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References

  1. Kellman, Andy. Patrice Rushen: Pizzazz > Review at AllMusic. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  2. Simonds, Robert (6 Mar 1980). "Pizzazz". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 1.
  3. 1 2 3 "Patrice Rushen US albums chart history". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2011-09-03.
  4. "Patrice Rushen US singles chart history". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2011-09-03.