Anything but Ordinary
Patrice Rushen · 1994
53 min · 10 tracks · jazz
A vibrant blend of jazz fusion and soul, underpinned by intricate grooves and heartfelt melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
I Do — This track opens the album with an infectious groove that highlights Rushen's signature blend of jazz and R&B influences, setting the tone for the project.
-
→
Anything but Ordinary — The title track encapsulates the album's essence with its rich instrumentation and introspective lyrics, showcasing Rushen's growth as a songwriter.
-
→
What’cha Gonna Do? — This song features an engaging call-and-response dynamic that exemplifies Rushen's ability to fuse complex musical ideas with accessible melodies.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends intricate grooves with strong musicianship, though its cohesion is somewhat uneven.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of syncopated rhythms across all tracks, creating a lively and engaging groove.
- The arrangement often layers multiple instruments, with a prominent use of keyboards and brass that adds depth to the sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady groove for relaxed evenings
- intricate musicianship detail hunting
- smooth flows for dinner parties
- reflective moments with friends
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy dance tracks
- prefer short, standalone songs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1994, 'Anything but Ordinary' was Patrice Rushen's first album in nearly a decade, following her successful tenure in the late '70s and '80s. At this point, she was transitioning from a mainstream artist to one who would explore more personal and experimental sounds. This album marks a significant moment as it reintroduced Rushen to a new generation of listeners while retaining her unique style.
- Stylistic neighbors
- George Duke· Chaka Khan· Herbie Hancock
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 I Do 6:27
- 2 Tell Me 4:47
- 3 What’cha Gonna Do? 5:33
- 4 I Only Think of You 4:18
- 5 My Heart, Your Heart 5:24
- 6 Anything but Ordinary 5:59
- 7 Top of the Line 4:57
- 8 State of Mind 5:44
- 9 Caravan 5:11
- 10 Be With You 5:34
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.