Before the Dawn (Patrice Rushen album)

Before the Dawn is 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 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 had a more funk tune which featured singer Josie James. This 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. However, everything else on the album, is instrumental jazz — although instrumental jazz 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, her last with Prestige Records.

Track listing
All tracks composed and arranged by Patrice Rushen.


 * 1) "Kickin' Back" - 7:27
 * 2) "Jubilation" - 6:05
 * 3) "What's the Story" – 5:15
 * 4) "Before the Dawn" - 8:30
 * 5) "Razzia" - 9:41

Personnel

 * Patrice Rushen – acoustic piano, electric piano, clavinet, synthesizers, tambourine, cabasa
 * Lee Ritenour – guitars
 * Charles Meeks – bass (1, 2, 4, 5)
 * Tony Dumas – bass (3)
 * Leon "Ndugu" Chancler – drums (1, 2)
 * Harvey Mason – drums (3, 4, 5)
 * Nate Alfred – percussion (1, 2, 5)
 * Kenneth Nash – percussion (3, 4)
 * Hadley Caliman – tenor saxophone (1, 2)
 * George Bohanon – trombone (1, 2, 4)
 * Oscar Brashear – trumpet, flugelhorn (1, 2, 4)
 * Hubert Laws – flute, alto flute (3, 4)
 * Josie James – vocals (3)
 * Handclaps on "What's the Story" – Nate Alfred, Reggie Andrews, Thelette Bennett, Josie James, Charles Meeks, Charles Mims, Patrice Rushen, Evelyn Wesley, Jimmie Lee Wesley, Brenda White and Martha Young

Production

 * Reggie Andrews – producer, remixing
 * Charles Mims – special production assistance
 * Skip Shimmin – engineer, remixing
 * Patrice Rushen – remixing
 * David Turner – mastering
 * Phil Carroll – art direction, design
 * Phil Bray – photography