You won’t find a more renowned producer, songwriter and musician in the intersection of the soul and jazz music world than George Duke. Not only is he known under his own name with an impressive catalogue from the 60s on but also he’s known as a producer for amongst others Dianne Reeves, Rachelle Ferrell, Gabriela Anders, Natalie Cole, Phil Perry, or Anita Baker.
In 2004 George finally thought it was time to establish his own label Big Piano Music (BPM) and released the label’s debut album Face The Music. Yes, even for a veteran musician, who’ve seen and heard it all, there can be a first time.
Duke is his second release for BPM and is released by Dome Records in Europe.
It took me a while to get into the album as a whole. There are some songs I liked at once and others that at first listen were a little too smooth jazz like for my taste. But after continuous listen to Duke, I must admit all eleven song fall into place very well.
One of the songs I liked instantly is the flowing, Brazilian influenced groove of Sausalito. Just like my other favourite tune with Sausalito in the title (i.e. Camelle Hinds’ Sausalito Calling) this song has written summer all over it. With Christian McBride (bass), Airto Moreira (drums ) and Grecco Buratto (acoustic guitar) supporting George this really makes me long for a warm summer night.
The killer cut on Duke is the epic Hybrids with over 18 minutes length of time. Like George says “Hybrids is not for everybody” but if you like an improvisational jazz-funk groove that just builds and builds and lets you hear the fun the involved musicians (e.g. Sheila E., Ndugu, McBride, Moreira, Everette Harp, Gerald Albright) had while recording it, than Hybrids is a dream come true. Even though there are no lyrics to emphasise George message to Hybrids, you’ll certainly recognize it while listening i.e. that the song is a, er, hybrid of jazz, funk and even rock. “All of us are hybrids,” says George. “As human beings we are all mixed with something, we are all hybrids. Would that I could live long enough to see a day when people would realize this and laugh at the absurdity of prejudice against another because of skin color or ethnic origin.”
Other highlights include the soulful Somebody’s Body with vocals by George and a fine muted trumpet by Michael Stewart, the jazzy downtempo groove of No One with Rachelle Ferell on vocals, or the funky Trust with great piano play by George and a tight brass section.
We also get a good cover version of Stevie Wonder’s Superwoman. Although I could’ve done without the dated sample of “hear the drummer get wicked” at the beginning. And, yes, I would’ve prefered it if Eric Benet had sung the whole song instead of just two verses.
If the music on Duke isn’t enough for you, then you can also enjoy two vintage live performances on video. Sweet Baby and Shine On were recorded in 1983 at a gig in Tokyo, Japan, and are featured on the enclosed DVD.

Tracklisting of Duke:
Disc One: 1. Trust/ 2. I Wanna Know/ 3. Superwoman/ 4. No One/ 5. T-Jam/ 6. Somebody’s Body/ 7. Sausalito/ 8. Saturday Night/ 9. In Between the Heartaches/ 10. Hybrids/ 11. Homeland
Disc Two (DVD): 1. Sweet Baby (live)/ 2. Shine On (live) | released 2005 by BPM Records and Dome in the UK/Europe

For more infos visit georgeduke.com and domerecords.co.uk.

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