Expansion Records

Patti Austin – (Ooh-Wee) He’s Killing Me / We’re In Love

Label: Expansion / CTI

Format: 7" Vinyl Single (45 RPM)

Catalog Number: EXS007 Release Year: 2018 (Original tracks 1977/1980)

Side A: (Ooh-Wee) He’s Killing Me

Taken from her 1977 album Havana Candy, this is a quintessential "Modern Soul" floor-filler. It features a bubbling, rhythmic arrangement and Patti's incredibly controlled, soulful vocal. It is a favorite on the UK soul scene for its "Uptown" energy and sophisticated groove.

Side B: We’re In Love

Taken from the 1980 album Body Language, this track is a masterclass in mid-tempo sophistication. It features a lush, orchestral arrangement that became the hallmark of the late-period CTI sound. While the A-side is for the dancers, the B-side is a "connoisseur’s" choice for late-night listening.

Fascinating Collector’s Facts & Figures

1. The CTI "High-End" Production

Patti Austin’s records on CTI (Creed Taylor Inc.) are legendary for their high-budget production values.

• The Fact: The sessions featured the absolute elite of the New York jazz scene, including Eric Gale on guitar and Will Lee on bass.

• The Figure: Because Creed Taylor focused on audiophile quality, these tracks have a "width" and "depth" that makes them sound massive on modern sound systems.

2. The 7-Inch Rarity

"(Ooh-Wee) He’s Killing Me" was a massive club track in the UK, but finding it on a high-quality US or UK 7-inch "stock" copy from 1977 is notoriously difficult.

• The Scarcity: Most copies found today are the "Promo Only" versions, which often show significant wear.

• The Expansion Impact: EXS007 utilized the original master tapes to provide a clean, punchy 45 RPM cut that captures the intricate percussion and bass work far better than the original compressed radio edits.

3. The "Quincy Jones" Connection

Though these tracks were on CTI, Patti’s work here laid the groundwork for her massive 80s success on Quincy Jones’s Qwest label.

• The Detail: You can hear the "Quincy influence" in the way the vocals are layered and the rhythmic "snap" of the tracks. Collectors prize this record because it captures Patti just before she became a global pop superstar with "Baby, Come to Me."

4. The Iconic CTI Label

Expansion took great care to recreate the CTI Records orange/tan label design.

• The Visual: For jazz and soul purists, the CTI logo is a symbol of artistic excellence. Having this on a 7-inch format—when CTI was primarily an LP-focused label—is a major draw for collectors.

Technical Specs for Collectors

• Mastering: Remastered for 45 RPM to emphasize the "dancefloor" frequencies. The drum kit and bass on the A-side have been EQ'd to provide the "thump" necessary for modern club environments.

• Tempo: Side A sits at roughly 112 BPM, making it the perfect transition record to bring a room up from mid-tempo soul into high-energy funk.

Collector's Tip: Patti Austin is the perfect record to pair with Nancy Wilson (EXS041) or Gwen McCrae (EX7001). If you are playing a set that focuses on "The Great Divas of Soul," this record provides the perfect rhythmic momentum to keep the floor moving.