Soul II Soul: Jazzie B Keeps On Movin'

JAZZIE B SAT near one corner of the crowded North Hollywood sound studio, watching the musicians casually file into the room and take their places on the triple-tiered stage. Across the floor stood Patrice Rushen, examining her keyboards. Gathered behind her was the 20-plus-piece band she'd put together at Jazzie's request, players whose studio credits ran the gamut of 70s and '80s soul, gospel and R&B, from George Duke to Smokey Robinson to Andrae Crouch. Hanging out at the top of this makeshift pyramid was Earth, Wind & Fire's three-piece horn section. Jazzie B shook his head, the dreadlocks framing his face shimmered like a bamboo curtain, and he smiled.