The fusion movement has a lot in common with a tropical
storm: it rages fiercely in its early phases but becomes less wild later on,
yet still blows a gale. In the eye of the storm that tore its path through the
various musical styles and genres as from 1960 is George Duke, who entered into
creative and stormy partnerships with such artists as Frank Zappa, Miles Davis
and Jean-Luc Ponty. The rainbow colours with which Duke chose to tint this
album are taken less from the paintpots of fusion jazz and rock, and rather
more from the black, natural colours of rhythm and blues.
Next to a relaxed love groove ("Say That You
Will") we find a polyphonic vocal number with solos ("Sunrise"),
which conjures up the nostalgic atmosphere of Motown, now on the decline. Then
there is snappy funk in all manner of variations, such as "Party Down,"
which swings trendily along but then comes over unfiltered and dry as a bone.
In "Follow The Rainbow," genial musicianship,
expert arrangements and a special feeling for resonance amalgamate to create a
tightly-knit sound which is ever fresh and easy-going.
Recording: 1979 at Westlake Recording, Los Angeles, by Kerry
McNabb and Electric Lady Studios, New York, by Dave Palmer
Production: George Duke
Side 1
1.
Party Down
2. Say
That You Will
3.
Funkin’ For The Thrill
4.
Sunrise
5.
Festival
Side 2
6. I Am
For Real
7.
Straight From The Heart
8.
Corine
9.
Pluck
10.
Follow The Rainbow
PLUS - George Duke Liberated
Fantasies 180 GRAM AUDIOPHILE ANALOG MASTERED LP
180 Gram Pressing! Analogue Remastering (AAA)!
The closing album in this MPS set continues George Duke's
tendency to couple his fusion world with accessible R&B songs. Once again
he shows a discernable vocal development. In "Tryin' And Cryin'" the
Californian together with rock singer Napoleon Brock overlay multiple vocal
tracks. On "Seeing You" Duke lays on a glaze of soulful tenderness,
whereas "What The..." is 30 seconds of frivolous funning around.
"Back to Where We Never Left" is a witty gem in which Duke bundles
his pool of synthesizers into a united groove, whereas "I C'n Hear
That" shows off synth and marimba tonal colors in dialogue, with the bass
riffing on the bottom.
The album flows into the final bend carrying along the
sonorous richness of Brazil. "After the Love" plays with the
languorous erotic colors of the tropics, whereas all the band members are
allowed to shine on the epic circa ten minute title track with its hot samba
flair: the rhythm section with "Ndugu", Al Johnson, and Airto
Moreira's percussion arsenal, Daryl Stuermer with his rock interludes on
guitar, and Duke himself with inspired virtuosity on all sorts of synths and
keyboards.
Features
180g Audiophile Pressing
Analogue Remastering (AAA)
Liner notes and a picture of the original master tape box
Made in Germany
Musicians
George Duke vocals,
keyboards, synthesizers
Embamba bass
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler drums, 'Roto-Toms,' vocals on "Liberated Fantasies"
Napoleon Murphy Brock lead
vocals on "Tryin' & Cryin'," background vocals on "Seeing
You" and "Liberated Fantasies"
Janet Ferguson Hof background
vocals on "Seeing You," voice of "Amanda"
Bonnie Bowdon Amaro vocals
on "After The Love" and "Liberated Fantasies"
David Amaro acoustic
guitar on "After The Love"
Daryl Stuermer guitar
on "Tryin' & Cryin'" and "Liberated Fantasies"
George Johnson guitar
on "Don't Be Shy"
Ruth K. Underwood voice
of riddle in "What The..."
Rashid Duke vocals
on "What The..."
Emil Richards marimba
on "I C'n Hear That"
Airto percussion
on "I C'n Hear That," "After The Love" and "Liberated
Fantasies"
Selections
Side One:
Don't Be Shy
Seeing You
Back To Where We Never Left
What The...
Tryin' & Cryin'
Side Two:
I C'n Hear That
After The Love
Tzina (excerpts from Act II Scene II)
Liberated Fantasies
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