PATTI AUSTIN ~ The Ultimate Collection

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

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 stunning 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.