Patrice Rushen - "Stepping Stones"

From her 1977 Album "Shout It Out", the last of her pure JAZZ collections prior to her "pop" success, "Stepping Stones" is one of her better improvisational performances.

Written by long-time Rushen collaborator Charles Mims, the song features Patrice playing an ethereal lead line accompanied by easy percussion and a steady bass line.

While this song could be the fore-runner of todays Smooth Jazz, Rushen shows her chops with an OUTSTANDING improvisation on the Fender Rhodes starting at the 3/4 point of the song and going out with the fade tag.

This is TRULY one of the best songs on her most focused jazz/funk album and it is one of my personal favorites.

Musicians are:

Patrice Rushen: mini-Moog, electric piano, vocals
Al Mckay: guitar
Charles Meeks: bass, vocals
James Gadson: drums
Bill Summers: percussion
Roy Galloway, Maxine Waters: vocals plus horns

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Patrice
• Rushen
• Stepping
• Stones
• Shout
• It
• Out
• Jazz
• Funk
• Fusion
• Smooth
• 1977

[FAMUCHOLLY]

Mine too.

And yes, I loved her straight-ahead jazz side as well.

[mychel67]

I want to... Thank GOD for my 3 brothers, Kendall, Reggie and Marlon, for "MAKING ME LISTEN TO JAZZ" at the age of 9 years old.... It's been a LIVE LONG LOVE AFFAIR since 1975!!! Love Y'all To Pieces... Lil Sis

[fede4real]

@teedaraidah same here..well I love so many of her songs but this is definately in her top 3,bass line,chord and tempo changes,winds arranging final solo...awesome piece of music.

[roybyrd3]

She is a lady that was way ahead of her time! I had a huge crush on her during my college days but as she was in Cali and I was in Va....alas, our paths never crossed! LOL This is some of her finest music and I wish she'd do something like this to revisit her roots!

[MrRickyTee]

What many don't apreciate is that Jazz is her real gift one of the best keyboard soloists I've ever heard . Whilst I love her pop stuff as well for me its her jazz works that are the most inspiring.

[jefferydollison]

Love this song...Really, Thanks for posting it.

[teedaraidah]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!! not too many people are familiar with "pre-pop" Patrice. from when i first heard it in 1978, stepping stones remains my all-time favorite Patrice Rushen tune!