(October 6, 2021) It turns out that Patrice Rushen’s “Remind Me” is one of Alex Isley’s favorite songs. And if the famous surname isn’t enough to let you know that the singer/songwriter knows a good tune when she hears it, the quality music that Isley has released over the past few years – both as a solo artist and as a collaborator with industry heavyweights – is a sure fire tell.
The daughter of Isley Brothers guitarist Ernie Isley went into the studio to cut a version of “Remind Me” that pairs her with musical chameleons Butcher Brown. Pairing that kind of creativity can’t help but give us something that both honors and is faithful to the original while also managing to include some unique Butcher Brown flourishes. Butcher Brown is a quintet that is equally conversant in styles ranging from hip-hop, R&B, funk and jazz. For this cover of Rushen’s classic, the band leans heavily into the R&B and jazz lanes on a track that ends with a sultry saxophone solo by horn player and MC Marcus “Tennishu” Tenney.
Meanwhile, Alex Isley gives listeners a treat as she showcases her smooth, sensual and mature vocal take on Rushen’s 1982 classic. This a collaboration that is prepared for any occasion and in this case the occasion was Patrice Rushen’s birthday, which happen to fall on the tune’s Sept. 30 release date. Check out the Alex Isley/Butcher Brown collaboration here.
By Howard Dukes
