"Love Is Gonna Getcha" (03/20/1990) R&B Austin, Patti, GRP Records (USA)Personnel: Patti Austin, James "D-Train" Williams (vocals); Lee Ritenour, Mike Landau (guitar); David Nadien, Elena Barere, Arnold Eidus, Barry Finclair, Regis Iandiorio, Charles Libove, Louanne Montesi, John Pintavalle, Matthew Raimondi, Richard Sortomme, Marti Sweet, Gerald Tarack (violin); Jean R. Dane, Carol Landon, Sue Pray (viola); Richard Locker, Charles P. McCracken (cello); Deborah Henson-Conant (harp); Dave Grusin (harmonica, piano, keyboards, synthesizers); Nelson Rangell (alto saxophone); Ernie Watts (tenor saxophone); Greg Phillinganes (piano); David Paich (keyboards, synthesizer); Steve Pocaro (keyboards); Nathan East, Neil Stubenhaus (bass); Harvey Mason (drums); Michael Fisher (percussion); Robin Beck, Lani Groves, Rachele Cappelli, Shelton Becton, Bill Eaton, Casey Sissek (background vocals). Recorded at Sunset Sound Studios, Hollywood, California from November 14-17, 1992. Personnel: Patti Austin (vocals, background vocals); Lee Ritenour , Michael Landau (guitar); Deborah Henson-Conant (harp); Barry Finclair, Gerald Tarack, Marti Sweet, Louann Montesi, Arnold Eidus, John Pintavalle, Elena Barere, Regis Iandiorio, Charles Libove, David Nadien, Matthew Raimondi, Richard Sortomme (violin); Sue Pray, Jean R. Dane, Carol Landon (viola); Richard Locker, Charles McCracken (cello); Don Grusin (harmonica); Nelson Rangell (alto saxophone); Ernie Watts (tenor saxophone); Dave Grusin (piano, keyboards, synthesizer, background vocals); Greg Phillinganes (piano); David Paich (keyboards, synthesizer); Steve Porcaro (synthesizer); Harvey Mason, Sr. , Jeff Porcaro (drums); Lenny Castro, Michael Fisher, Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); Rachele Cappelli, Casey Sissik, James "D-Train" Williams , Jocelyn Brown, Lani Groves, Robin Beck, Shelton Becton, Bill Eaton (background vocals). Audio Mixer: Don Murray . Liner Note Authors: Dave Grusin; Patti Austin. Recording information: Sunset Sound Studios, Hollywood, CA (11/14/1989-11/17/1989). Photographer: Richard Corman. Unknown Contributor Roles: James "D-Train" Williams ; Michael Fisher; Bill Eaton. Arrangers: Dave Grusin; David Paich; Patti Austin. With apologies to Dianne Reeves, Patti Austin has always quite simply been the best jack-of-all-genre singers on the planet, crossing effortlessly from jazz to pop and R&B with a voice that's so sweet, rich, and lovely, it can't help but warm the heart. On the heels of her 1988 masterpiece The Real Me, her GRP debut packs a wallop of festive up tempo tunes, lite funk pop, torchy message songs, passionate ballads, and breezy tenderness -- all delivered with a truly Austin-tatious flair. Austin surrounds herself with some of pop jazz's best here, with GRP's 1990 roster well represented: Dave Grusin (whose production is flawless), Don Grusin (with whom she co-wrote the happy "Ooh Wee (The Carnival)"), Deborah Henson-Conant (whose harp adds punch to "In My Dreams"), Lee Ritenour, and Nelson Rangell (whose alto soars on the title cut). But as tantalizing as the music is, it is Austin who gives the collection wings with a powerful voice whose mood she so artfully modulates depending on the feel of the individual tune. Soft and tender on her own composition "In My Life," easy and lilting for "In My Dreams," and full of genuine excitement for "Through the Test of Time" and "Ooh Wee." An added bonus is the Oscar nominated "The Girl Who Used to Be Me," which gives Austin a chance to show her range, even if the tune is a bit schmaltzy. ~ Jonathan Widran
