LUCIANA SOUZA — Duos III (2012) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Though Grammy-winning Brazilian vocal great Luciana Souza's third Duos recording marks the (approximately) ten-year anniversary of her Grammy-nominated Brazilian Duos, the trilogy concludes marvelously with duets by the singer and the lineup that appears on Duos II (2005): Toninho Horta, Romero Lubambo, and Marco Pereira. Traveling the world and playing in the duet format over the previous decade has helped Souza hone her ability with intimate yet lively voice-guitar conversations rich with clarity and eloquence. Stripping away the need for busier accompaniment, she and her cohorts eagerly embrace the core of each story and its sonic moment. With the exception of a sparse, plaintive meditation on Jobim's renowned "Dindi," most of the songs run from two-four minutes, allowing for quick guitar-vocal exchanges that make their point without dallying or overstating. The opening track, the easy flowing and breezy "Tim Tim Por Tim Tim," has a simple guitar line that allows the listener to zero in on Souza's dusky tones and expansive range. The snappy "Doralise" finds her voice fluttering through her higher register and daring the accompanying guitar line to keep up. She balances percussive tunes like that with the gentler sensuality and slightly mournful touches of tracks like "As Rosas Nao Falam" and the opening segment of the medley of "Lamento Sertanejo" and (the rollicking) "Maca do Rosto." No matter the tempo, no matter the tone chosen by each guitarist, Souza's voice on these classics of her native land are mesmerizing. Jonathan Widran
Tracklist :
1.    Tim Tim Por Tim Tim    1:32
 Haroldo Barbosa / Geraldo Jacques 
Acoustic Guitar - Toninho Horta 
2.    Doralice    2:06
 Antonio Almeida / Dorival Caymmi 
Acoustic Guitar – Romero Lubambo 
3.    Chora Coração    2:42
 Antônio Carlos Jobim 
Acoustic Guitar [7-String Guitar] – Marco Pereira 
4.    Pedra Da Lua    2:55
 J. Cascata / Toninho Horta 
Acoustic Guitar & Backing Vocals – Toninho Horta  
5.    Dona Lu    3:56
 Gilberto Gil 
Acoustic Guitar [7-String Guitar] – Marco Pereira
6.    Mágoas De Caboclo    3:39
 Leonel Azevedo / J. Cascata 
Acoustic Guitar [7-String Guitar] – Marco Pereira
7.    Eu Vim Da Bahia 2:42
 Gilberto Gil 
Acoustic Guitar [7-String Guitar] – Marco Pereira
8.    As Rosas Não Falam    4:02
 Cartola 
Acoustic Guitar – Romero Lubambo 
9.    Medley: Lamento Sertanejo (Forró Do Dominguinhos) / Maçã Do Rosto    3:45
 Djavan / Dominguinhos / Gilberto Gil 
Acoustic Guitar – Romero Lubambo 
10.    Inútil Paisagem    2:51
 Antônio Carlos Jobim / Aloysio de Oliveira 
Acoustic Guitar - Toninho Horta 
11.    Dindi 6:06
 Antônio Carlos Jobim / Aloysio de Oliveira 
Acoustic Guitar – Romero Lubambo 
12.    Beijo Partido    5:03
 Toninho Horta 
Credits :
Vocals, Vocalese – Luciana Souza 

TONINHO HORTA - Onced I Loved (1992) APE (image+.cue), lossless

More conventional straight jazz set, with some Afro-Latin and Brazilian flavor by Toninho Horta, this time paired with bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Billy Higgins for trio sessions. Horta's playing is competent and sometimes exciting, but it's the interaction of Peacock and Higgins that hold things together. by Ron Wynn
Tracklist :
1     Pica Pau 4:09
Toninho Horta
2     Lullaby of Birdland 5:50
George Shearing / George David Weiss
3     Stella by Starlight 6:07
Ned Washington / Victor Young
4     Waltz for Mariana 5:43
Toninho Horta
5     My Funny Valentine 6:25
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
6     Isn't It Romantic? 5:41
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
7     O Amor Em Paz (Once I Loved) 4:28
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
8     Footprints 4:19
Wayne Shorter
9     Tarde 5:07
Márcio Borges / Milton Nascimento
10     Minas Train 3:56
Toninho Horta
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – Gary Peacock
Drums – Billy Higgins
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar – Toninho Horta

TONINHO HORTA - Durango Kid (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On this excellent set, the Brazilian acoustic guitarist/singer Toninho Horta plays unaccompanied solos. Horta wrote or co-composed every song, and his program is full of rich themes, haunting understated vocalizing (often wordless), and melodic guitar. The atmospheric performances, which are as much folk as jazz, work both as background music and for close listening. Overall, this is one of Toninho Horta's better efforts. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Céu de Brasília (Sky of Brasilia) 4:28
Fernando Brant / Toninho Horta
2     Vento (Wind) 4:18
Toninho Horta
3     Diana 7:11
Fernando Brant / Toninho Horta
4     Across the Universe 4:45
John Lennon / Paul McCartney
5     Soccer Ball (Bola de Futebol) 5:14
Toninho Horta
6     Serenade/Ouro Preto 7:16
Toninho Horta
7     Dreaming About My First Love (Sonhando Com O Meu Primeiro Amor) 4:30
Toninho Horta
8     For My Children (Pras Crianças) 4:04
Toninho Horta
9     Waiting for Angela (Esperando Anginha) 4:51
Toninho Horta / Flora Purim
10     Durango Kid 5:31
Fernando Brant / Toninho Horta
Credits :
Toninho Horta - Guitar, Vocals

TONINHO HORTA - Durango Kid 2 (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Aquelas Coisas Todas (All Of Those Things) 4:29
Written-By – Toninho Horta
2    Canto De Desalento (Without Hope) 3:39
Written-By – Rubens Theo, Toninho Horta
3    Dona Olimpia (Mrs. Olimpia) 2:55
Written-By – Toninho Horta
4    Saudades Da Bahia (Missing Bahia) 3:46
Written-By – Dorival Caymmi
5    Aqui O (Check This Out) 3:50
Written-By – Fernando Brant, Toninho Horta
6    Liana 4:24
Written-By – Arnaldo P. Cruz, Toninho Horta
7    Pedra Da Lua (Moonstone) 4:32
Written-By – Cacaso, Toninho Horta
8    Viver De Amor (Living For Love) 4:20
Written-By – Ronaldo Bastos, Toninho Horta
9    Litoral (The Coast) 2:45
Written-By – Ronaldo Bastos, Toninho Horta
10    Bons Amigos (Good Friends) 3:29
Written-By – Ronaldo Bastos, Toninho Horta
11    Meu Canario Vicinho Azul (My Neighbor Blue Canary) 3:01
Written-By – Toninho Horta
12    Amor Infinito (Infinite Love) 2:06
Written-By – Toninho Horta
13    Falso Ingles (Broken English) 4:54
Written-By – Fernando Brant, Toninho Horta
Credits :
Guitar, Vocals – Toninho Horta

TONINHO HORTA - Serenade (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

With the exception of the final two songs, this set features Toninho Horta live as an unaccompanied acoustic guitarist/vocalist. Horta's singing, like that of Dori Caymmi, is so subtle and quiet as to be nearly under his breath. His guitar playing is melodic and lightly rhythmic, and makes him sound almost like the Brazilian Earl Klugh. The solo setting is perfect for Horta, who creates a haunting performance. "I Love You" and "Arirang" have Horta joined by Jack Lee on electric guitar, but the style of soothing music is the same as on the rest of this rewarding CD. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Liana 5:03
Written-By – Toninho Horta
2    Pilar 4:26
Written-By – Toninho Horta
3    Saudades da Bahia 4:18
Written-By – Dorival Caymmi
4    Soccer Ball 4:06
Written-By – Toninho Horta
5    Moon River 3:38
Written-By – Henry Mancini
6    Serenade 6:47
Written-By – Ronaldo Bastos, Toninho Horta
7    Gershwin 2:56
Written-By – Toninho Horta
8    Durango Kid 4:42
Written-By – Fernando Brant, Toninho Horta
9    Korean Moments 3:07
Written-By – Toninho Horta
10    Diana 7:58
Written-By – Fernando Brant, Toninho Horta
11    I Love You 7:31
Written-By – Cole Porter
12    Arirang 5:40
Written-By – Korean Traditional
Credits :
Acoustic Guitar, Voice – Toninho Horta (faixas: 1-12)
Electric Guitar – Jack Lee (faixas: 11-12)

TONINHO HORTA - To Jobim with Love (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Toninho Horta has been a reliable sideman and occasionally a leader in his lengthy career playing contemporary Brazilian music. The acoustic and electric guitarist has a quiet intensity that reflects the passion and verve of genius composer Antonio Carlos Jobim. This tribute to Jobim is quite laden with string charts, most done quite tastefully, rarely overarranged, and pleasantly emphasizing a flute section. Horta has an impressive complementary combo of pianist Dave Kikoski, bassist Gary Peacock, percussionists Paulo Braga and Manolo Badrena, special guests as saxophonist Bob Mintzer, harmonicist William Galison, trumpeter Glenn Drewes, Charles Pillow on oboe, John Clark on French horn, and several members of the large Horta family. Gal Costa sings in a choir, or individually for the CD's sweetest and beautiful moments - where flutes accent but do not swarm during a great take of "No More Blues," and the simple "Modinha" with only Horta's guitar where you clearly hear the depth of both artists' souls. Herat is an accomplished singer, heard in melancholy strains for "Without You," or in brighter spirits with wordless and worded lyrics for the sensual "Agua De Beber." And the hits keep on comin' with a no-frills take of "Desafinado" with strings and choral vocals melding beautifully, while the restraint of "Meditation" echoes the holding back on love until the right moment in time. Mintzer's cameos on Horta's original "Infinite Love" and the Paulo Horta/Donato Donatti tune "Promises I Made" show the neo-bop tenorman as a player who has his heart in the right place. Only during Horta's tiny notes on "Portrait in Black & White" and Kikoski's always brilliant pianistics for "If Everyone Was Like You" do the strings bury the solo instrumentalists. This is a good outing for Horta and friends, perhaps a tad self-indulgent or overproduced, but only by degrees. Those who are just discovering this Brazilian jazz giant should explore his discography, but this CD is a fine and satisfying entry point. by Michael G. Nastos  
Tracklist :
1     Agua de Beber 5:49
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
Arranged By [Basic Track Co-arranged By], Programmed By [Synthesizer Programming By] – Andre Dequech
2     Portrait in Black and White 5:44
Chico Buarque / Antônio Carlos Jobim
3     If Everyone Was Like You 5:15
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
Lead Vocals – Luisa Schiavon Horta
4     From Ton to Tom (Silent Song) 4:45
Toninho Horta / Hillary James
5     Cristiana 4:38
Toninho Horta
6     Meditation 4:35
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
7     No More Blues (Chega De Saudade) 6:08
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
Edited By [Pro-tools Editing] – Pat Thrall
8     Infinite Love 4:00
Toninho Horta
9     Promises I Made 4:54
Paulo Horta
10     Modinha 3:30
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
11     The Girl from Ipanema 0:40
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
Acoustic Guitar – Manuel Shiavon Horta
Edited By – Jack Lee
12     Without You 3:30
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
13     Desafinado 5:14
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Newton Mendonça
All Credits

TAMBA TRIO - Tamba Trio (1975) RM-2001 / Mp3

Recorded and released in the mid-'70s, this album finds the Tamba Trio taking the heart of their 1960s sound -- centered around a piano trio-styled groove with three-part harmony -- and combining it with '70s-style effects. The production style is very mellow and sweet with sonic treatments such as subtly shaded phase shifters and flangers that add a filmy, gauzy tinge to the arrangements. This is interesting in the sense that the charts -- written by Luiz Enca -- include other instruments played by notable guests that seem to reflect the sound of a piano trio in a mirror-like way, giving the entire set a gorgeously rounded, dreamy sound. Prime examples are in the seamless flow of tracks such as "3 Horas da Manha," "Visgo de Jaca," "Beira Mar," "Chorinho No 1," "Jogo Da Vida," "Sanguessuga," and "Beijo Partido" out of and into one another. Some of the guests on this album include Helio Delmiro, Ivan Lins, Toninho Horta, Joao Bosco, and Danilo Caymmi, who add depth, dimension, and plenty of vibe to an already lush set.
(This Comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our Blog ´O Púbis da Rosa´)

Há mais de 25 anos o Tamba Trio lançou 'Tamba', seu segundo LP pela RCA. Os arranjos, os experimentos e os timbres criados por Hélcio Milito, Bebeto Castilho e Luiz Eça permanecem modernos até hoje. A sonoridade destas gravações é, com certeza, objeto de desejo de muitas bandas atuais! Porém, antes tarde do que nunca, aqui está sua chance de beber direto da fonte. Notas do CD
Tracklist:
1        3 Horas Da Manhã 2:42
Written-By – Ivan Lins, Waldemar Correia
2        Visgo De Jaca 2:35
Written-By – Sergio Cabral
Written-By, Harmonica – Rildo Hora
3        Ou Bola Ou Bulica 2:12
Written-By – Aldir Blanc
Written-By, Guitar, Vocals – Joao Bosco
4        Beira-Mar 2:19
Written-By – Ivan Lins
5        Olha Maria (Amparo) 4:45
Bells – Hélcio Milito
Synthesizer [Arp Strings] – Luiz Eça
Written-By – A.C. Jobim
6        Chorinho No. 1 1:44
Written-By – Durval Ferreira
7        Jogo Da Vida 3:15
Written-By – Sidney Miller
Written-By, Guitar – Danilo Caymmi
8        Sanguessuga 3:47
Written-By – Fernando Brant
Written-By, Guitar – Toninho Horta
9        Janelas 1:38
Written-By – Ivan Lins, Ronaldo Monteiro
10        Contra O Vento 2:45
Written-By – Ana Borba
Written-By, Guitar – Danilo Caymmi
11        Beijo Partido 2:28
Written-By, Guitar – Toninho Horta
12        Chamada 2:10
Written-By – Helio Delmiro, Paulo Cesar Pinheiro
Créditos
Arranged By, Piano, Electric Piano [Fender Piano], Synthesizer [Arp], Vocals – Luiz Eça
Bass, Percussion, Flute [In C And G], Vocals [Solos] – Bebeto
Percussion, Drums, Vocals – Hélcio Milito
Guest Artists :
Danilo Caymmi, Rildo Hora, Toninho Horta, Helio Delmiro, Danilo Caymmi, Ivan Lins, João Bosco.

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