Heroes & Gods

by Rahsaan Patterson

Overview

There's never a bad time for a new Rahsaan Patterson album, but 2019 is uniquely appropriate, as it's the singer's 35th year in the entertainment industry. Moreover, the release of Patterson's last proper LP is creeping toward its eighth anniversary, consequently his longest period of silence by far. Patterson seemed to be touring for most of the break, however, and presumably spent a good amount of time sketching and sharpening the material that makes up Heroes & Gods. Like his two most recent albums, Bleuphoria and Wines & Spirits, it communicates many emotions relating to intimacy and continually switches up sounds, like a lovingly personalized 60-minute mixtape that prioritizes quality over flow. Working most frequently with Jamey Jaz and Derrick Walker, both of whom have been supporting him for over 20 years, Patterson references bygone eras crossing several decades while twisting contemporary sounds, grounded as ever in gospel and soul, and throws in a couple of stylistic curveballs. The idiosyncratic set is out of time and modern at once. Patterson has the nerve to cover Luther Vandross' "Don't You Know That," and does so with a masterfully sensitive touch that exudes all the delight and affection of the original. The songs that immediately precede and follow it are so well-made that they resemble skillful updates of classics. The lusting slow jam "Break It Down," featuring Lalah Hathaway on lead synthesizer and co-writer Joi Gilliam on background vocals, slips and slides like it was built to follow Mtume's "You, Me and He." The devotional ballad "Sent from Heaven" moves back another decade, durable enough to pass as a composite of Earth, Wind & Fire and Ashford & Simpson. As much as these and other highlights recall some of the greats, the stylish falsetto-wielding tenor who made them can't be confused with anyone else. ~ Andy Kellman

Product Details

Release Date:	05/17/2019
Label:	SHANACHIE
UPC:	0016351584724

Tracks

1. Catch Me When I Fall
2. Wonderful Star
3. Silly, Love, Fool
4. Rock and Roll
5. Break It Down
6. Don't You Know That
7. Sent From Heaven
8. Wide Awake
9. Soldier
10. Oxford Blues
11. Sweet Memories
12. I Try
13. Heroes and Gods

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Rahsaan Patterson   Primary Artist,Vocals,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Jairus Mozee   Guitar,Keyboards,Bass
Lalah Hathaway   Lead
Jamey Jaz   Bass,Key Bass,Keyboards
Affiliates   Featured Artist
Rachelle Ferrell   Vocals (Background)
Cornelius Mims   Bass
Errol Cooney   Guitar
Derrick Walker   Drums,Percussion
Joi Gilliam   Vocals (Background)
Lua Crofts   Vocals (Background)
Mikelyn Roderick   Vocals (Background)
J.D.   Featured Artist
Craig Brockman   Keyboards

Technical Credits

LaToiya Williams   Composer
Jamey Jaz   Composer,Producer,Programming,Drum Programming
Erik Reichers   Mixing
Luther Vandross   Composer
Jairus Mozee   Composer,Producer,Drum Programming
Lorien Babajian   Design
D-Loc Walker   Producer
Rahsaan Patterson   Composer,Producer,Programming,Drum Programming,Executive Producer
Rachelle Ferrell   Composer
Gene Grimaldi   Mastering
Derrick Walker   Composer,Programming
Trina Broussard   Composer
Joi Gilliam   Composer
David Lombard   Executive Producer
Davel "Bo" McKenzie   Producer,Programming
Sam Trump   Horn Arrangements
Davel McKenzie   Composer
Craig Brockman   Composer