Patti Austin is the vocalist on Rod Temperton’s “Turn On The Action,” which appears on Quincy Jones’ 1981 album The Dude. Austin’s smooth delivery had years of preparation, as she had been working with Jones since she was nine years old. Jones, who referred to Austin as his goddaughter, had nurtured her jazz roots, which gave her impeccable vocal control and a depth of interpretation in the lyrics. “Turn On The Action” was about the process of love, and Austin’s voice was coy and bold at the same time as she captured the complex feelings of a romantic invitation. She was in good company, as Jones had assembled Herbie Hancock, Paulinho da Costa, Greg Phillinganes and Louis Johnson amongst the song’s players. Michael Jackson, who Austin duetted with on “It’s The Falling In Love” from his 1979 Off The Wall album, did not sing backing vocals on “Turn On The Action,” but he did appear on the album’s title track.
Austin’s contributions to The Dude were some of her most successful moments, as she was also featured on the popular “Razzamatazz” and “Betcha Wouldn’t Hurt Me.” “Turn On The Action” was the simmering dance floor closing song on the album that was heard a bit on Black radio. The song was the pure definition of the lesser-known but excellent album cut, reserved for true fans willing to hear The Dude in its entirety. Austin’s For Ella, Vol. 2, was released in 2023. In 2024, Austin was honored with a lifetime achievement award from SFJazz.
