| Before the Dawn | |
| Type: | Album |
| Artist: | Patrice Rushen |
| Cover: | PRBeforeDawn.jpg |
| Released: | 1975 |
| Recorded: | August 1975 |
| Studio: | Fantasy (Berkeley, California) |
| Genre: | Jazz |
| Length: | 36:58 |
| Label: | Prestige |
| Producer: | Reggie Andrews |
| Prev Title: | Prelusion |
| Prev Year: | 1974 |
| Next Title: | Shout It Out |
| Next Year: | 1977 |
Before the Dawn is the second album by jazz/R&B musician Patrice Rushen; while 1974's Prelusion was essentially a straight-ahead record with fusion references, 1975's Before the Dawn was essentially a fusion album. With this album, Rushen brings a fusion of R&B, pop, and rock elements to her jazz foundation.
The album included the song "What's the Story," which was the only song that did not have a jazz artist's sound; it had a more funk tune which featured singer Josie James. This would later be compared with songs from her follow-up albums as it showed great resemblance to her work as an R&B singer with Elektra Records. However, everything else on the album, is instrumental jazz — although instrumental jazz is mindful of R&B, pop, and rock. The album was a clear step for Rushen as it showed her entrance to R&B music and exit from jazz music.
Her next album was Shout It Out, her last with Prestige Records.
All tracks composed and arranged by Patrice Rushen.