2008 Woodie Awards
Dukey Drops!
Review of Jazz Funk lengend's new CD
Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: Life & Leisure
The prophecy of the Second Coming has finally been fulfilled. The jazz funk, R&B messiah George Duke is back with his tenth studio album "Dukey Treats." I guess it's purgatory for all you rock and rap non-believers… For all you seeking redemption from being eternally damned from jazz heaven, convert now (unless you want to end up in your thirties with a head full of brain mush). It's your choice.
But for all you loyal jazz fusion saints, your faithfulness has finally been rewarded. Every track is a Godsend that blossoms into wonderful funky, grooved out productions reminiscent of 60s and 70s soul through Duke's eyes.
The first track, "Everyday Hero," is the first song that saves us all from becoming zombified youth void of artistic expression. With the snazzy synthesized melodics in the background and hypnotizing vocals from George Duke, the end result is a numbed out body filled with goosebumps.
"I Tried To Tell You" takes a more sedative smooth jazz approach. The relaxed ambiance radiated from the piano's tone captures the very heart and soul of the listener. The song is breathtaking, to say the least.
Other great moments include "Listen Baby," a slow ballad with a melody and rhythm similar to The Temptations, and "Are You Ready," a song with an intro and chorus that would feel right at home on a Donny McClurkin album.
Other less than amazing tracks to look for are "Sudan," "Mercy," "Dukey Treats" and "Images of Us," which features vocals from Josie James, drums from Little John Roberts and acoustic guitar from John Lee Johnson.
Overall, the album is memorable, if not Duke's most creative and daring project yet. And, as a mental note, this isn't his last appearance in the limelight. As he said in an interview with Amazon.com, "It's about time for me to do some funk. I mean some real funk."
But for all you loyal jazz fusion saints, your faithfulness has finally been rewarded. Every track is a Godsend that blossoms into wonderful funky, grooved out productions reminiscent of 60s and 70s soul through Duke's eyes.
The first track, "Everyday Hero," is the first song that saves us all from becoming zombified youth void of artistic expression. With the snazzy synthesized melodics in the background and hypnotizing vocals from George Duke, the end result is a numbed out body filled with goosebumps.
"I Tried To Tell You" takes a more sedative smooth jazz approach. The relaxed ambiance radiated from the piano's tone captures the very heart and soul of the listener. The song is breathtaking, to say the least.
Other great moments include "Listen Baby," a slow ballad with a melody and rhythm similar to The Temptations, and "Are You Ready," a song with an intro and chorus that would feel right at home on a Donny McClurkin album.
Other less than amazing tracks to look for are "Sudan," "Mercy," "Dukey Treats" and "Images of Us," which features vocals from Josie James, drums from Little John Roberts and acoustic guitar from John Lee Johnson.
Overall, the album is memorable, if not Duke's most creative and daring project yet. And, as a mental note, this isn't his last appearance in the limelight. As he said in an interview with Amazon.com, "It's about time for me to do some funk. I mean some real funk."
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