Search - Patti Austin :: On the Way to Love

R&B from a Mature Perspective

MusicLover#1 | Maryland, USA | 06/28/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a simple joy. A great voice, warm and smooth, matched with the same producer that worked with today's leading pop-jazz artist like Al Jarreau, and quality production. It is not a home run, but the music doesn't try and be trendy and lets Ms. Austin stand in front of slinky grooves, tender adult love songs and interesting songs that deliver on repeated listening. Patti has fun on the bouncy "Girlfriend" and teases on the slow burn on a song like "Let Me Be Me," a slow burn R&B and jazz-influenced song. Listen to the largely vocal version of "Loves Been Kind to Me Lately" at the end of the record to find out why her voice is so well loved by those in the know. This record may not be a classic like her "Real Me" albumn, her early QWEST pop albumns, or Patti's earlier CTI records. This CD creates a stronger R&B and jazz vibe, however, that should please long-time fans of her GRP label work and anyone who likes the modern smooth jazz and adult R&B music so popular on the radio. I give it 3 and a half stars for quality and 1 star for the return of a classic singer. We will round down for now, next record we round up!"

"What Can I Say?..."

L. Kelsey | Riverside, CA. United States | 03/05/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I liked this album a lot. I find it a return to the R&B/Pop world that Patti explored in the '80's with such albums as "Every Home Should Have One," "Gettin' Away With Murder," and the self-titled "Patti Austin." Patti sounds very soulful on "If You Really Need Me," "Let Me Be Me," "Tell Me Why" and "Southern Rain." "Girlfriend" is a tune you hum later after you hear it, singing the refrain, "got your back covered." My favorite song though is "What Can I Say," a sunny day, top down on the ride jam about a love that kinda catches one off guard. I love Patti's voice, period, so I've bought most of her CD's over the years. She seemed to be exploring her jazz roots on such CD's as "In and Out of Love" and "Street of Dreams," and they were very good, but nothing that grabbed me like this one did. So when I'm feeling a little down, I pop this in the player and get carried away and a little happier. And with the world being what it is today, I like being "ON THE WAY TO THAT FEELING" of joy that I get when I listen to this CD."

A WELCOME RETURN WITH A WINNER

Reginald D. Garrard | Camilla, GA USA | 07/07/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After years of floundering semi-successfully, Patti Austin has come back with a nice blend of soul, jazz, and pop. Austin shows a depth that is missing today in the overabundance of carbon copy-sounding ingenues. The eleven tracks strongly showcase the vocal prowess of the under-appreciated Austin. Strong cuts are "Girlfriend," "Love's Been Kind to Me Lately," and "Playin' Around." Prior to purchasing this CD, I had read the Austin returned to Quincy Jones' guidance. My information was incorrect, but producer Paul Brown surrounds Austin with talented assemblage of musicians (James Ingram, Siedah Garrett, Boney James, and others). While not as satisfying as the Q-produced recordings, this is still the work of an accomplished vocalist.Hopefully, sufficient airplay will be given and the singer will ascend to the ranks of superstardom that she so richly deserves."