"Heroes & Gods 2.0" by Rahsaan Patterson is Sublimely Reimagined by Quentin Harris
By: Steve V. Rodriguez
How do you make a work of art better? You reimagine it! That is exactly what producer Quentin Harris did to Rahsaan Patterson’s “Heroes & Gods 2.0” out now on Shanachie Records. The original album by the same name minus the 2.0 was released in 2019 and by all accounts is considered Patterson’s best work to date.
Rahsaan Patterson has solidified himself in R&B history as one of the greats conjuring up the likes of Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Babyface and even Marvin Gaye. All of these artists, including Patterson have traveled the decades with their art due to their brilliant sense of musicality while producing timeless projects. The music isn’t ensconced in one particular period or style and is always punctuated by a robust range in voice.
It would be easy to call “Heroes & Gods 2.0” a remix album but that would not be honoring the acute attention Quentin Harris gave to the project. Reimagining is exactly what he did to deliver an already brilliant R&B album filled with melodies, lyrics and rhythms to a robust 2.0 that keeps the party going and slides onto the dance floor.
Harris takes every song from “Heroes & Gods’ and reimagines it into pure bliss! Starting with the title track, “Catch Me When I Fall”, which is a bouncy intro filled with layers of Patterson’s luscious vocals and reimagines it with even more layers while giving it an infectious groove.
“Wonderful Star” (Reimagined) keeps the sultry and whispery vocals from the original but adds some staccato beats and delicious piano chords. Later, Harris transitions the track into a 70’s disco trance reminiscent of a Donna Summer/Giorgio Morodor classic.
“Don’t You Know That” (Reimagined) is an infectious jam conjuring up Babyface in all his glory filled with heavenly layers like only Patterson can deliver.
“Sent from Heaven” (Reimagined),- Both versions are exactly stated in the title…pure heaven. Sultry and groove driven like a classic Teddy Pendergrass gem, the reimagined version gets some initial thumping beats and amps up the synths. The result echos a sublime horn section making the 2.0 version even dreamier!
“Wide Awake” (Reimagined) is the ‘Nasty’ of the album focusing on Patterson’s full range of vocals on this track from deep to funky falsetto all held together by a pretty funky synth arrangement, courtesy of Quentin Harris. Can we say Janet meets Prince!
“Soldier” (Reimagined) keeps the strength and simplicity of Patterson’s vocals about fighting like a soldier for a longterm relationship while adding a driving baseline that conjures up the fan favorite, “Killer” by Adamski featuring Seal.
“Sweet Memories” (Reimagined) may be the most House Club track on 2.0 while still preserving Patterson’s reflective lyrics about moving on from a love, while all that’s left is the sweet memories we choose to hold onto.
In the end “Heroes & Gods 2.0” is a brilliant reimagined counterpart to the original. It’s obvious that Harris took careful consideration and craftsmanship to reimagine Patterson’s album and at times even accentuates deeper meaning out of Patterson’s lyrics through inspired musical choices. If “Heroes & Gods” was reflective and indulgent to the soul, 2.0 comes at the right time when we all want is to get out, dance and rejoice. Bravo Gentleman! “Heroes & Gods 2.0” by Rahsaan Patterson and Quentin Harris is available for download wherever you get your music.
