Prelusion / Before the Dawn (1974) is an amazing debut album from musical prodigy Patrice Rushen; one of the premier pianist / keyboardists in popular music of all time. It has Joe Henderson, Hadley Caliman, Oscar Brasher, and George Bohanon on windwards, Tony Dumas on bass, Lee Ritenour on guitar, Leon Chancler on drums, and of course Patrice on keys. The title track is the standout for me. Featured on Questlove’s compilation CD “Babies Making Babies”, the track is steeped heavily in the jazz fusion of the era with a sensual feel and timeless appeal despite its namesake. One has to wonder what direction her career would have taken if she stayed with jazz but the nature of music and all things is to move forward and evolve. “The goal of the artist is to create the definitive work that cannot be surpassed.” - George Bernard Shaw. And with this song, she may have done just that. 

-J After Dark

                  "Without music, life would be in error.” - Friedrich Nietzsche

                                   …the song “Heather” illuminates this aphorism like the sun after the long good night. 

Composed by Master Drummer Billy Cobham, as were all the songs off the masterpiece of jazz fusion that is Crosswinds (1974), this song like the album marks an evolution of jazz from its hard bop roots, to its eighth note mastery, to its futuristic ethereal sound. One has to look no further than the album cover to realize what the artist was attempting here : something otherworldly, something heavenly. 

I vividly remember the cover of that vinyl album my father then owned. Like another Master Drummer Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, I can tell my life story through album covers and music. “Heather” is ethereal. A beautiful melodic tune that transports its listener to a place beyond borders that truly is timeless. It has Billy Cobham on drums and percussion, John Abercrombie on guitar, the Brecker Brothers on woodwinds, George Duke on keys, John Williams on bass, Lee Pastora on Latin percussion, Garnett Brown on trombone. The song has been sampled by The Souls of Mischief - “’93 til Infinity” and Kanye West featuring Consequence - “’03 til Infinity”. 

The song has a particular sentimental meaning for me. I met a girl once who shared the track’s name and matched its delicate and elegant nature in every way. A chance encounter, sparked by a conversation that involved this song, that turned would be strangers into lifelong friends.

-J After Dark