A 1969 single for United Artists titled "Family Tree" cracked the R&B Top 50.
in 1980. She sang lead vocals for Japanese koto player
's album in 1979.
on "Moody's Mood for Love" in 1980. She sang backgrounds for sessions by
.
Austin did vocals on
Quincy Jones'
The Dude LP in 1981, and was featured on the hit "Razzamatazz." She inked a solo deal on
Jones' Qwest label, and her 1982 LP
Every Home Should Have One included the number one pop hit (number nine R&B) "Baby, Come to Me," which got widespread exposure via the ABC soap opera
General Hospital. The follow-up single, "How Do You Keep the Music Playing," was the theme for the film
Best Friends. Both songs paired
Austin with
James Ingram. She continued recording for
Jones' Qwest label through the '80s, but couldn't recapture her pop or R&B success, despite working with several top producers, including
Jam &
Lewis in 1985.
Austin switched to GRP in 1990 and recorded
Love Is Gonna Getcha, with the singles "Through the Test of Time" and "Good in Love." She subsequently recorded
Carry On and
Live in 1991 and 1992.
Street of Dreams followed in 1999 and
On the Way to Love appeared in summer 2001. Her lovely tribute to
Ella Fitzgerald,
For Ella, appeared in spring 2002. Nearly five years later, Avant Gershwin was issued. After a decade on the jazz side of the fence,
Austin returned more to the pop side with 2011’s Sound Advice, produced by Greg Phillinganes.
–
Ron Wynn, Rovi