Anything but Ordinary

Released in 1994, Anything but Ordinary represents a significant chapter in Patrice Rushen's career, marking her brief and tumultuous tenure with Hollywood Records. After the label shelved the project, it was rescued by Sin-Drome Records, finding a dedicated audience within the smooth jazz and urban adult contemporary markets. Sonically, the album is a departure from the raw funk and disco of her Elektra years, embracing the digital clarity and MIDI-heavy arrangements of the mid-90s. However, Rushen maintains her identity through complex chord voicings and a self-referential sense of humor, most notably on 'I Do,' which samples her own classic 'Forget Me Nots.' The inclusion of Sheena Easton on backing vocals and the cover of Duke Ellington's 'Caravan' highlight the album's dual nature as both a pop-R&B effort and a showcase for her jazz roots. While it lacked the commercial impact of her 1982 peak, it remains a critical favorite for its high production standards and Rushen's unwavering musicality.