GRORGE DUKE – 1977-1984 (9 Albums, Japanese Remasters 2014) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

George Duke - From Me to You

George Duke was never a myopic jazz purist -- the keyboardist/singer/producer/composer always had a healthy appreciation of soul, funk, and rock. Nonetheless, instrumental jazz was his main focus prior to 1977. It was in 1977 that Duke placed jazz on the back burner and made vocal-oriented R&B his top priority. The album that marked this change of direction was From Me to You, which was the first of two R&B-oriented releases that Epic put out for the artist in 1977 -- the second was the superb Reach for It. This LP contains a few noteworthy fusion instrumentals, including the driving "Up on It" and the contemplative "Seasons." But From Me to You is an R&B album more than anything, and Duke lets the funk prevail on vocal-oriented tracks like "Sing It" and "Carry On" (which he revisited when he produced Flora Purim's Carry On LP in 1979). Occasionally, this album is excellent, although most of the time, it is merely decent -- on From Me to You, Duke doesn't wear the soul/funk hat as confidently as he did on subsequent R&B-oriented projects like Reach for It, Don't Let Go, and Follow the Rainbow. This record is a bit uneven, although it has more plusses than minuses and is worth hearing if you're among Duke's hardcore fans. Alex Henderson

Tracklist :
1. From Me to You (Duke) - 1:45
2. Carry On (Duke) - 4:36
3. What Do They Really Fear? (Duke) - 4:28
4. 'Scuse Me Miss (Duke) - 3:37
5. You and Me (Duke) - 3:41
6. Broken Dreams (Duke) - 2:50
7. Up on It (Duke) - 9:05
8. Seasons (Duke) - 5:45
9. Down in It (Duke-Clarke-Sembello-Chancler) - 1:22
10. Sing It (Duke) - 4:10
Credits:
George Duke - keyboards, vocals, percussion (5)
Stanley Clarke - acoustic bass (1,8), electric bass (7,9)
Byron Miller - electric bass
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums
Mike Sembello - electric and acoustic guitars
Diane Reeves - vocals (5,6)
Maxine Willard Waters, Julia Tillman Waters, Jessica Smith - background vocals

George Duke - Reach for It 

By 1977, the jazz content of George Duke's albums had decreased considerably, and soul and funk had become his main priorities. Reach for It has more to offer from an R&B standpoint than a jazz standpoint, though the fusion it does contain is first rate -- including the Latin-influenced "Hot Fire" and "Lemme at It" (an aggressive gem that's in a class with some of the keyboardist/pianist's best work with the Billy Cobham/Duke Band). Reach's heavy R&B content resulted in Duke facing the same accusation as George Benson, Patrice Rushen and other improvisers who moved away from jazz in the '70s -- that he was a sellout. But none of this CD's R&B content comes across as contrived or formulaic. In fact, Duke is downright inspired on the haunting "Just for You" and the Parliament-influenced title song. Even so, it's always regrettable when a gifted improviser pretty much abandons jazz -- and Duke is a prime example. It should be stressed that the high rating awarded this CD is primarily from an R&B standpoint -- and that those strictly interested in hearing Duke playing jazz would be better off investing in earlier efforts like Faces in Reflection. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1. The Beginning (Duke) - 1:50
2. Lemme at It (Duke) - 4:14
3. Hot Fire (Chancler) - 5:31
4. Reach for It (Duke) - 4:54
5. Just for You (Duke) - 4:28
6. Omi (Fresh Water) (Duke) - 4:50
7. Searchin' My Mind (Duke) - 3:12
8. Watch Out Baby! (Duke-Chancler-Sembello-Clarke) - 5:25
9. Diamonds (Duke) - 6:45
10. The End (Duke) - 1:07
11. Bring It on Home (Duke) - 4:25
Credits :
George Duke - keyboards, vocals
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums, remo roto toms, timbales, vocals (4,8)
Charles Icarus Johnson - guitar, vocals (4,9)
Deborah Thomas, Dee Henrichs, Sybil Thomas - vocals
Manolo Badrena - congas, bongos, percussion
Mike Sembello - guitar (8)
Raul de Souza - trombone (6)

George Duke - Don't Let Go

With a hot funk band and a big hit, "Reach for It," behind him, George Duke appears mostly in his persona as R&B star on this ebullient package of sometimes Latin-inflected '70s funk. The centerpiece is a self-parodic bit of shuck and jive called "Dukey Stick," which became a number four hit single on the R&B charts (at his gigs, Duke used to flaunt a gaudy, lit-up, perhaps phallic wand, the "Dukey stick," during this number). The percussion section is pretty potent, staffed by Leon "Ndugu" Chancler and Sheila Escovedo in her pre-pop star days; they even get a Latin workout of their own simply titled "Percussion Interlude." While some of Duke's considerable keyboard and electronic prowess breaks through now and then, this album is mainly aimed at the R&B market, as the preponderance of soul vocals indicates. As such, it is a cut or two above the routine fare of the time, though not as infectious as its predecessor Reach for It. Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist :
1. We Give Our Love (Duke-Chancler-Miller-Johnson) - 4:33
2. Morning Sun (Duke) - 4:15
3. Percussion Interlude (Chancler-Escovedo) - 2:02
4. Dukey Stick (Duke) - 6:07
5. Starting Again (Duke) - 4:30
6. Yeah, We Going (Chancler) - 3:41
7. The Way I Feel (Duke) - 4:45
8. Movin' On (Duke) - 4:23
9. Don't Let Go (Duke) - 3:26
10. Preface (Duke) - 1:30
11. The Future (Duke) - 3:28
12. Dukey Stick Part 1 (Duke) - 3:35
13. Dukey Stick Part 2 (Duke) - 4:43
14. Dukey Stick (12" Single Version) (Duke) - 8:07
Credits :
George Duke - keyboards, vocals, narration
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums, narration (4), timbales
Byron Miller - bass, narration (4)
Charles "Icarus" Johnson - guitar, narration (4)
Sheila Escovedo - congas, percussion, nrration (4), vocals
Josie James, Napolean Murphy Brock - vocals
Petsye Powell, Pattie Brooks - background vocals
Roland Bautista - rhythm guitar (9)
Wah Wah Watson - Hot Licks (1)
Carol Shive - violin
Jody Geist - viola (10)

George Duke - Follow the Rainbow

When George Duke made the transition from jazz instrumentalist to R&B star in 1977, he received both negative and positive reviews. R&B-oriented publications tended to provide favorable reviews-even glowing ones-whereas much of the jazz media routinely trashed soul/funk efforts like 1979's Follow the Rainbow. To many jazz critics, Duke was a sellout-a virtuoso who had forsaken creativity and was pandering to the lowest common denominator in order to enjoy financial security. But truth be told, jazz musicians don't have the market cornered on creativity. Follow the Rainbow is, in fact, a creative album, and it's an album that has very little to do with jazz. The LP includes a few fusion instrumentals, including the Brazilian-flavored "Festival." But 90% of Follow the Rainbow is devoted to R&B, and anyone who judges it by those standards instead of jazz standards will have to agree that Duke is triumphant on sweaty funk tunes ("Party Down," "I Am for Real") as well as mellow soul ballads and slow jams like "Say That You Will," "Straight From the Heart," and the Earth, Wind & Fire-influenced "Sunrise." This album is consistently excellent, but it isn't recommended to jazz snobs -- only those with a healthy appreciation of 1970s soul and funk will enjoy this album. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1. Party Down (Duke-Champlin) - 3:10
2. Say That You Will (Duke) - 3:06
3. Funkin' for the Thrill (Miller) - 4:03
4. Sunrise (Duke) - 4:45
5. Festival (Duke) - 6:43
6. I Am for Real (May the Funk Be with You) (Duke) - 5:19
7. Straight from the Heart (Duke) - 3:53
8. Corine (Duke) - 6:02
9. Pluck (Duke) - 4:48
10. Follow the Rainbow (Duke) - 1:28
11. I Am for Real (May the Funk Be with You) (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:35
12. Pluck (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:25
Credits :
George Duke - vocals, keyboards
Byron Miller - bass, vocals (3)
Ricky Lawson - drums
Charles Icarus Johnson - guitar
Sheila Escovedo - percussion, vocals
Napolean Murphy Brook, Lynn Davis, Josie James - vocals
Everybody - narration

George Duke - A Brazilian Love Affair

George Duke had been fairly visible in the R&B world thanks to funk gems like "Reach for It" and "Dukey Stick" when he ventured to Rio to record A Brazilian Love Affair, a superb date employing such greats as singers Flora Purim and Milton Nascimento and percussionist Airto Moreira. Although not the return to instrumental jazz some hoped it would be, this heartfelt effort does contain its share of jazz-influenced material. From a jazz standpoint, the CD's most noteworthy songs include Nascimento's "Cravo e Canela," the charming "Brazilian Sugar," "Love Reborn," and the exuberant "Up from the Sea It Arose and Ate Rio in One Swift Bite." Meanwhile, Nascimento's vocal on the ballad "Ao Que Vai Nascer" is a fine example of Brazilian pop at its most sensuous. But however one labels or categorizes this music, the album is clearly a labor of love from start to finish. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1. Brazilian Love Affair (Duke) - 7:23
2. Summer Breezin' (Duke) - 4:49
3. Cravo e Canela (Nascimento-Bastos) - 3:06
4. Alone-6AM (Duke) - 1:07
5. Brazilian Sugar (Duke) - 5:34
6. Sugar Loaf Mountain (Duke) - 4:10
7. Love Reborn (Duke) - 4:28
8. Up from the Sea It Arose and Ate Rio in One Swift Bite (Duke) - 5:24
9. I Need You Now (Duke) - 4:43
10. Ao Que Vai Nascer (Nascimento-Brant) - 3:31
11. Caxanga (Nascimento-Brant) - 4:10
12. Brazilian Love Affair (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:52
Credits :
George Duke - piano, synthesizers
Milton Nascimento, Simone, George Duke - lead vocals
Byron Miller, Jamil Joanes - bass
Roberto Silva, Ricky Lawson - drums
Chico Batera, Airto Moreira, Sheila Escovedo - percussion
Toninho Horta, Roland Bautista - guitar
Raul de Souz, Bill Reichenbach - trombone
Jerry Hey - trumpet, flugelhorn
Larry Williams - alto saxophone
Lucinha Lins, Zeluiz, Flavio Faria, Lucia Turnbull, Flora Purim, Josie James, Lynn Davis - vocals
Murrey Adler - string contractor

George Duke - Master of the Game

Although George Duke first made his mark as a jazz instrumentalist, late-1970s classics like Reach for It, Don't Let Go, and Follow the Rainbow made it clear that he could also be an expressive R&B singer. But he didn't want to handle all of the lead vocals himself; so during that period, his role was that of a producer/keyboardist/songwriter who was more than happy to share the lead vocals with Lynn Davis, Josie James, and others. Davis enjoyed a lot of exposure on R&B stations when, in 1979, Duke featured her on "I Want You for Myself," the haunting single that made Master of the Game one of his best-selling albums. Her charismatic performance makes the listener wonder why she never had a solo career; the talent was certainly there. This album contains a few jazz fusion instrumentals (including the Latin-flavored "Dog-Man"), but it's an R&B release first and foremost -- and those who like Duke as an R&B artist will find this album to be enjoyable, if less than essential. "I Want You for Myself" and the mellow, Stylistics-influenced "Every Little Step I Take" are gems, but most of the other selections are merely decent instead of excellent. On the whole, this album isn't in a class with Reach for It, Don't Let Go, or Follow the Rainbow, which are arguably his most essential R&B-oriented albums. But it has more pluses than minuses and is worth having in your collection if you're a serious fans of Duke's late 1970s/early 1980s output. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1. Look What You Find (Duke) - 4:45
2. Every Little Step I Take (Duke) - 3:49
3. Games (Escovedo-Duke) - 3:14
4. I Want You for Myself (Duke) - 6:38
5. In the Distance (Duke) - 2:24
6. I Love You More (Duke) - 3:06
7. Dog-Man (Duke) - 4:40
8. Everybody's Talkin' (Duke) - 4:19
9. Part 1 - The Alien Challenges the Stick (Duke-Miller-Lawson-Myles) - 2:27
10. Part 2 - The Alien Succumbs to the Macho Intergalactic Funkativity of the Funkblasters (Duke-Miller-Lawson-Myles) - 6:59
11. I Want You for Myself (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:55
12. Every Little Step I Take (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:43
Credits :
George Duke - vocals, keyboards
Byron Miller - bass
Ricky Lawson - drums
David Myles - electric guitars, sitar, 6 & 12 string acoustic guitars, Ovation
Sheila Escovedo - percussion, drums
Napoleon Brock, Lynn Davis, Josie James - vocals
Jerry Hey - trumpet, flugelhorn
Ray Obeido, Roland Bautista - guitar
Gary Herbig - alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute, piccolo
Bill Reichenbach - trombone, bass trombone
Fred Washington - bass (3)
Gary Grant - trumpet (7)

George Duke - Dream On

On his R&B-oriented records of the late '70s, George Duke often shared the lead vocals with such band members as Lynn Davis, Josie James, and Napoleon Brock, but none of them are employed on 1982's Dream On, which finds him handling most of the lead vocals himself. And that isn't a bad thing, because Duke is a soulful and charismatic singer -- there is no reason why he shouldn't hog the microphone on his own albums. Unfortunately, he doesn't have a lot of first-rate material to work with on this competent, if uneven and unfocused, LP. Dream On isn't a bad album; sleek R&B ballads like "I Will Always Be Your Friend," "Let Your Love Shine," and "You" are pleasant, but they aren't remarkable, and while Dream On simmers, it never burns and never explodes. Even "Son of Reach for It (The Funky Dream)" -- a sequel to Duke's 1977 smash "Reach for It" -- isn't all that exciting. The best thing on the record is a remake of the mellow soul ballad "Someday," which he had previously recorded for 1975's I Love the Blues, She Heard My Cry. Again, Dream On isn't a disaster, but it isn't one of Duke's more impressive albums either. This LP is strictly for completists. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1. Shine On (Duke) - 5:13
2. You (Duke) - 4:39
3. Dream On (Martin-Pilate) - 4:02
4. I Will Always Be Your Friend (Duke) - 3:28
5. Framed (Duke) - 3:20
6. Ride on Love (Duke) - 5:26
7. Son of Reach for It (Miller-Duke-Chancler-Johnson) - 4:26
8. Someday (Duke) - 3:53
9. Positive Energy (Duke) - 3:35
10. Let Your Love Shine (Duke) - 4:31
11. Shine On (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:53
12. Ride on Love (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:58
Credits :
George Duke - lead vocals, piano, keyboards
Byron Miller - bass
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums
Paulinho da Costa - percussion
Mike Sembelo, Charles "Icarus" Johnson - guitar
Carl Carlwell, Sybil Thomas, Dee Hendricks, Deborah Thomas, Flora Purim, Jean Carn - background vocals
Jerry Hey, Gary Grant - trumpet, flugelhorn
Bill Reichenbach - trombone
Larry Williams - saxophone
Strings:
Charles Veal,Jr. - concertmaster
Rosemary Veal - contractor
Mari Botnick, Bonnie Douglas, Henry Ferber, Ron Folsom, Franklin Foster, Bob Sanov, Carol Shive, Dorothy Wade, Ken Yerke, Sheldon Sanov, Paul Shure, Endre Granat, Arnold Belnick, Marcia Van Dyke - violin
Rollice Dale, Denyse Buffum, Virginia Majenski, Barbara Thomason - viola
Julie Buffun, Paula Hochhalter, Dennis Karmazyn, Danny Rothmuller, Nils Oliver - cello

George Duke - Guardian of the Light

Coming to the close of his tenure with Epic records, Duke's great work seemed to be overshadowed by bunk. At the same time, he was becoming an in-demand producer with assignments from Jeffrey Osborne, Phillip Bailey, and Deniece Williams filling his schedule. Guardian of the Light reflects that strain. Released in 1983, Guardian of the Light also had the added baggage of a hard-to-follow concept of a fictional character's mystical exploits. This being George Duke, although the idea is odd, he was sure to get some good songs done here. It doesn't come easily however. Despite the good intentions, "Light," "Shane," and "Reach Out" differ little from the melodically challenged songs that typified his post-Brazilian Love Affair efforts. That being said, Guardian of the Light does include a classic. The gorgeous and soaring "You (Are the Light)" has Duke giving a particularly strong vocal performance. Duke also does one of his best Rhodes solos on the track as well. "Born to Love You" is also very affecting. This album closes with the rock-influenced and surprisingly effective "Fly Away." This effort is worth seeking out for its highs, but the middling work does seem to win out here. Jason Elias
Tracklist :
1. Overture (Duke) - 1:38
2. Light (Duke) - 3:23
3. Shane (Duke) - 3:14
4. Born to Love You (Duke) - 3:10
5. Silly Fightin' (Duke) - 5:07
6. You (Are the Light) (Duke) - 4:16
7. The War Fugue Interlude (Duke) - 1:13
8. Reach Out (Duke) - 4:57
9. Give Me Your Love (Duke) - 4:19
10. Stand (Duke) - 2:14
11. Soon (Duke) - 2:43
12. Celebrate (Duke) - 3:54
13. Fly Away (Duke) - 4:03
14. Reach Out (12" Single Version) (Duke) - 6:54
Credits:
George Duke - vocals, keyborads
Louis Johnson, Byron Miller - bass
John Robinson, Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums
Michael Sembello, Charles Fearing, Johnny McGhee - guitar
Paulinho da Costa, Steve Forman - percussion
Craig Harris - vocorder programming
Jeffrey Osborne, Lynn Davis, Portia Griffin, Patti Austin,
George Duke - background vocals
Jerry Hey, Gary Grant - trumpet, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet
Larry Williams - tenor saxophone
Lou McCreary - trombone
Lynn Davis, Rachelle Fields, Portia Griffin, George Duke - handclaps
Strings:
Paul Shure, Charles Veal - concert master
Murray Adler, Israel Baker, Brenton Banks, Sherrill Coltrin Baptist, Bonnie Douglass, Assa Drori, Reginald Hill, Karen Jones, Nathan Ross, Sheldon Sanov, Robert Sushel, Mari Botnick, Henry Ferber, Ron Folsom, Franklin Foster, Bob Sanov, Carol Shive, Dorothy Wade, Ken Yerke, Endre Granat, Arnold Belnick, Marcia Can Dyke, Charles Veal, Jr - violin
Rollice Dale, Denyse Buffum, Virginia Majenski, Barbara Thomason, Allan Harshman, Myer Bello, David Schwartz - viola
Douglas Davis, Raymond Kelley, Jan Kelley, Earl Madison, Julie Buffum, Paula Hochhalter, Dennis Karmazyn, Danny Rothermuller, Nils Oliver - cello
George Del Barrio - string conductor

George Duke - Rendezvous

 Most of this album consists of the same general early 1980's danceable R&B funk fare and pop balladry that marked the rest of his catalog around this time, most of it on the smoother side. But on "Better Ways" George Duke throws down some truly NAS-TAY funk-rock with a scathing message and "Ipanema Lady" heads back to sunny Rio. Then again "Got To Get Back To Love", "Take It All" and the synth-spiked "Secret Rendevous" aren't bad period funk either, if a little commercial. Warning: NOT FOR JAZZ LISTENERS! But everyone else (especially fans of 80's funk) enjoy!  Andre S Grindle
Tracklist :
1. Got to Get Back to Love (Duke) - 5:31
2. Stay Awhile (Duke) - 2:59
3. Secret Rendezvous (Knight) - 4:53
4. Thinking of You (Duke) - 4:10
5. Take It On (Duke-Anderson) - 3:55
6. She Can Wait Forever (Leib) - 4:01
7. Better Ways (Duke) - 4:25
8. Your Life (Duke) - 2:49
9. Ipanema Lady (Duke) - 3:41
10. Secret Rendezvous (Single Edit) (Knight) - 4:11
Credits:
George Duke - vocals, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Clavinet, keyboards, Moog & ARP synthesizers, electronic drums, programming
Ernie Watts, Gary Herbig - tenor saxophone
Jerry Hey, Gary Grant - trumpet, flugelhorn
Chuck Findley - flugelhorn
Bill Reichenbach - trombone
Larry Williams - flute, piccolo
Mike Sembello - guitar, background vocals
Paul Jackson, Charles Fearing - guitar
Stanley Clarke - piccolo bass
Nathan East, Byron Miller - bass
Steve Ferrone - drums, hi-hat
John Robinson, Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums
Paulinho da Costa - percussion, background vocals
Lynn Davis, Josie James, Oscar Castro-Neves - background vocals