Patti Austin: The Best Of (1994)

The Best of Patti Austin isn't quite what it appears to be. Instead of compiling her big early-'80s hits like "Baby, Come to Me" and "How Do You Keep the Music Playing," the 16-track collection features her lesser-known late-'70s material for CTI Records, where she had only one notable hit in 1977 with "Say You Love Me." Despite the lack of hits, the compilation is actually quite enjoyable, featuring graceful versions of hits as diverse as "More Today Than Yesterday," "You Don't Have to Say You're Sorry," "Lost in the Stars," "We've Got Tonight" and "Another Nail for My Heart." It may not be the definitive Austin collection, yet it remains a good introduction to her style.