Remind Me: The Classic Elektra Recordings 1978-1984 CD

Given the stone-cold-classic status of Patrice Rushen's disco-era recordings on Elektra, it's little surprise to see Strut offering up this superb retrospective of that key period in her career. Naturally, the big club hits are present - "Feels So Real (Can't Let Go)", "Haven't You Heard", "Number One" and "Forget Me Nots" - but it's the quality of the lesser celebrated cuts and album tracks that most impresses. For proof, check the sharp horns and good grooves of "Look Up (Extended Version)", the breezy boogie bounce of "Never Gonna Give You Up (Won't Let You be)" and the electric piano solo-laden seductiveness of "Remind Me (LP Version)". There's naturally plenty of sweet slow jams to savour, too, those to our ears these pale in comparison to Rushen's dancefloor-focused output.

Pete Haigh