Patti Austin-Every Home Should Have One (1981)

ORIGINAL POSTING DATE: January 18, 2012

I must be really missing the 80's post-disco music a lot, considering how much I've gotten attached to Patrice Rushen's "Straight From The Heart" CD again. And that brings me to another Pat—Patti Austin, that is, who had been recommended to me many moons ago by a blog follower all the way over in The Philippines who totally adores her. I've actually known about Patti for years, but it was only because of her memorable duet she performed with contemporary soul legend James Ingram on "Baby, Come To Me". Besides that romantic radio favorite, I know practically nothing else about Patti's music. So as I'm doing with Julia Fordham, HUE AND CRY, MATT BIANCO, Dianne Reeves, Lory Bianco, and even Patrice Rushen too, I'm basically starting from the ground up with Patti Austin's discography as well. Perfect coincidence that her debut, "Every Home Should Have One", would contain the aforementioned "Baby, Come To Me". Played that one first just for memory's sake. Still sounds as good as it did when I first heard it on the radio in my childhood years. Then it was on to the new 'oldies' starting from the very top. Those oldies would quickly became a bag full of delicious goodies—especially the dreamy dance number, "Love Me To Death", the groovy Middle Eastern disco jam, "The Genie" and the terrific jazz explosion that is "Oh No, Margarita"—both vocally and instrumentally. Yep, I had to mention that 'J' word again; I just can't help it. I know I'm like a thousand miles away from catching up to the rest of the old-school generation when it comes to Patti Austin, but it's finally nice to get in a complete listen to one of her albums and to enjoy something other than the unforgettable duet that she's so famous for:

1. Do You Love Me?
2. Love Me To Death
3. The Way I Feel
4. Every Home Should Have One
5. Baby, Come To Me
6. The Genie
7. Stop, Look, Listen
8. Symphony Of Love
9. Oh No, Margarita
10. The Island