Record Reviews

GEORGE DUKE ~ FACES IN REFLECTION PROMISING MUSIC 44103 (Barcode: 602517546479) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1973 Released: 2008 American keyboardist / composer George DukeFind albums by this artist first came to prominence in the late 1960s, when he recorded with the French violinist Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist, who was invited to record in the US following his festival appearances. The association with Ponty opened quite a few doors for Duke, eventually leading to his stint with Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, as well as his recording contract with the legendary MPSFind albums on this label label. He recorded 8 albums for the label between 1971 and 1976, of which this was the 3rd. Duke was a strange choice for MPS, as it concentrated mainly on presenting the European Jazz scene (the only exception was a series of albums recorded by Oscar PetersonFind albums by this artist), with strong Avant-Garde and later European Jazz-Rock Fusion, which was much more advanced that its American counterpart. Although Duke was closely associated with the US Jazz-Rock Fusion scene in the 1970s, playing with such prominent musicians like Stanley ClarkeFind albums by this artist, Billy CobhamFind albums by this artist and many others, his Fusion approach was strongly based on Blues, Funk and Soul, his “native” musical areas. Therefore his MPS recordings can be considered as some of the most commercial and accessible recordings ever released by this label. On this album Duke uses a trio (John HeardFind albums by this artist – bass and Leon Ndugu ChanclerFind albums by this artist – drums) and plays a wide array of synthesizers. He composed all but one of the tunes (the only composition, which isn’t his is by the Brazilian genius Milton NascimentoFind albums by this artist, and points towards Duke’s fascination with Brazilian music, which would flourish later in his career). There is no doubt about Duke’s brilliant technique as a player and his use of synthesizers is revolutionary at that time, but the compositions are definitely on the lighter side of Jazz and his vocals (however sparsely used) completely unnecessary. As much as I like Duke’s playing and many of his recordings, this is not one of his absolute highlights, even if it is much better that most of his later recordings starting from the 1980s and up to now. Nevertheless it is still a solid and enjoyable album worthy of being remembered. Of course many of his fans will enjoy this quality reissue with beautifully remastered sound and superb packaging.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

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GEORGE DUKE ~ THE COMPLETE 1970S EPIC ALBUMS COLLECTION SONY 886979303225 (Barcode: 886979303225) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion Recorded: 1977 - 1979 Released: 2012 American keyboardist / composer George DukeFind albums by this artist is definitely one of the most colorful, dynamic, brilliant and versatile musical personalities on the scene. With a career spanning five decades and activities covering such diverse sub-genres as mainstream Jazz, Jazz-Rock Fusion, Rock, Funk and Jazz-World Fusion, Duke made over the years an enormous impact on the development of contemporary music. Following a several years long association (early to mid 1970s) with the legendary German MPSFind albums on this label label, where Duke released his revolutionary early Fusion albums, he switched to the EpicFind albums on this label label (a subsidiary of ColumbiaFind albums on this label), where he recorded six albums between 1977 and 1979, all of which are included in this wonderful Box Set. The Epic recordings reveal Duke gradually moving away from the Jazz and even Fusion roots, replacing those by Funk and other popular music influences. Only the last album in this set ("A Brazilian Love AffairFind albums with this title") is different and presents Duke as a Jazz-World Fusion artist, with an obvious affinity for Brazilian music. On that album he is supported by several famous Brazilian musicians, including vocalist Milton NascimentoFind albums by this artist, percussionist Airto MoreiraFind albums by this artist, vocalist Flora PurimFind albums by this artist, guitarist Toninho HortaFind albums by this artist and many others, in addition to his American regulars. On all the albums he plays with an excellent group of musicians, which includes his long-time friend bassist Stanley ClarkeFind albums by this artist, drummer Leon Ndugu ChanclerFind albums by this artist, bassist Byron MillerFind albums by this artist, percussionist Sheila EscovedoFind albums by this artist and numerous others, including many brass players as well, which shows a clear influence of Earth, Wind & FireFind albums by this artist on Duke´s music at the time. Duke composed all the music on these albums (with very few minor exceptions) and he also utilizes his vocals, which is the most criticized issue regarding this music. As much as these albums were successful on the US market, they were treated with disrespect and sheer detest by his European and Japanese fans, who accused him of commerciality. The problem was of course, that this music should have not been compared to or judged by the same criteria as his earlier output, which was completely different stylistically. In retrospect this music still sounds great and lost nothing of its power and ingenuity, providing it is treated separately from Duke´s other output. The tunes are great, as are the performances, and one can´t resist the funky rhythms unless one is completely deaf or brain-dead. There are very few musicians, who display the same level of integrity and ingenuity as George Duke in everything they do over the years. He is the man and nobody can deny it!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

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MAYNARD FERGUSON ~ IT`S MY TIME / HOLLYWOOD BGO 1202 (Barcode: 5017261212023) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Funk Fusion Recorded: 1980 - 1982 Released: 2015 This is a reissue of last two albums by Canadian Jazz trumpeter / composer / bandleader Maynard FergusonFind albums by this artist released on ColumbiaFind albums on this label during his stint with the label: "It`s My TimeFind albums with this title" (1980) and "HollywoodFind albums with this title" (1982), which altogether produced fourteen fabulous albums. These albums feature some of the best American Jazz / Fusion musicians active at the time and mark Ferguson´s commercial success and popularity, well beyond the strict Jazz circles. Among the artists appearing on these albums are: bassist Stanley ClarkeFind albums by this artist (who also produced "Hollywood"), drummer Leon Ndugu ChanclerFind albums by this artist, percussionist Alex AcunaFind albums by this artist, guitarist Lee RitenourFind albums by this artist, keyboardist George DukeFind albums by this artist and many others. The music is a mixture of original compositions by Ferguson and the trombonist / composer / arranger Nick LaneFind albums by this artist and other musicians playing on these albums, Jazz standards, film themes, popular songs, all superbly arranged and executed by the Big Band / Orchestra, with soaring solos by Ferguson the guest stars. Although definitely on the lighter side of the Jazz spectrum, mixing Jazz with Funk, Rock and even Soul, the music was always tasteful and impeccably executed. Despite the cold and vilified reception by snobbish Jazz critics at the time, these albums despite their popular approach were by far more professional than most of the endless Bebop doodling American Jazz has to offer at the time. Ferguson´s piercing trumpet sound is still one of the most recognizable sounds in American Jazz and remains unparalleled to this very day. Personally I have always found the music of Ferguson to be both highly entertaining and artistically relevant, offering classy performances with stand the test of time with ease. Highly recommended!

Updated: 02/05/2020Posted: 02/05/2020

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