Search - Patti Austin :: Ultimate Collection

Sample of Styles

Armando M. Mesa | Chandler, AZ | 09/02/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Ultimate Collection contains some really good highlights from Patti's GRP catalog from the early 90's as well as some from her Qwest era. The live tracks are a unique treat. One live track in particular was the Jam & Lewis penned and produced track The Heat of Heat; This is a smoldering and sensual R & B cut (original studio version available on her import Gettin' Away With Murder c.d. only).The Heat of Heat is given a more intimate nightclub "live" flavor. The Ability to Swing is a wonderful, cool-jazz (swing) number that was originally written and performed by Thomas (She Blinded Me With Science) Dolby ! Patti gives this version of the tune the scatting vocal treatment.The rest of the tracks are casual light jazz listening material or contemporary adult pop. Few tracks are actual romance-ballads. This is a compact and good start for any collector unfamiliar with Patti's work; However, it is only a sample and does not contain the magnitude that her other projects have. It's a pleasant sampler..."

"PATTI AUSTIN ~ Lessons In Vocalizing (Or "How To Saaaaaaang

Kirk Douglas Provo | Halifax, NS, and Toronto, ON, CANADA | 05/23/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While this is a welcome look at part of the magnificent Patti Austin's recording output (specifically, her time with GRP Records in the 1990s), it is not to be mistaken for a comprehensive overview of this incredible performer's almost life-long career. Yet, the Voice is always first and foremost, with taste, diversity of style, and rare flexibility and strength, the singer's singer's "calling card".



Standouts are the never-before-released "Hold Me" (also recorded in a "throw-away" version by Tiffany), subtle, and soulful; the amazing "country-fied" duet "We Fell In Love Anyway" (with Cleve Francis); and rare live versions: "The Heat of Heat" (Jam & Lewis funk), "The Girl Who Used To Be Me" (from the film "Shirley Valentine"); and the rare, hard to find cuts like "You Who Brought Me Love" (with Johnny Mathis), "I'll Keep Your Dreams Alive" (with George Benson), and the funkiest version of "Soldier Boy" ever put to record (very 80s Soul II Soul production approach)!



However, as album's go - everything is fine here! Including the stunninng R&B of "Reach" (though the edited remix here is inferior to the album version on "That Secret Place"), the pop-soul of the perfect "Through The Test of Time", the feel-good "Love Is Gonna Getcha", the jazz-scat smoothness of "Ability To Swing", and composer/producer Rod Temperton ("Baby, Come To Me", "Rock With You", "Thriller")'s much over-looked funk opus "Givin' In To Love".



Patti Austin's talent shines as always."