Customer Reviews

Face the Music

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the ONE for George. The CD where he has total freedom to do whatever he wants to do and you hear it in every single track. He picked the BEST musicians in the business and went wild! Black Messiah is a pretty smooth tune with an old feel from the old "smoky room" jazz club days, Chillin is an awesome song with a nice "tap your foot rhythm"...My Piano clearly demonstrates why he is the "Master of the Game", Let's Roll is too much for the normal ear...you will not believe your ears. The balance of this CD is as exceptional as the beginning. The most noticable quality of this CD is, of course, the unbelievable musicianship and how this band he assembled ignited some of his most exceptional piano playing.

This was GOOOOODDDD! Man, I'm glad he's producing under his own label. This is a must for any jazz enthusiast.

It's taken me well over ten listens to this album to appreciate
just how FANTASTIC every cut on "Face The Music" is!The opening
"Black Messiah" showcases slow burning funk using acoutsic bass
and Duke's understand GRAND piano playing.And that "understatement" carries over into a series of long,superbly
crafted funk such as "Ain't It Funky Now","Let's Roll" and a
fantastic nod to his elaborate MPS days on "Another Way To look
At It".As as always a certain Brazillian flavor touches several
of these numbers.You'd think that after all these years Duke
would start to run out of steam but he's only getting better!

Perhaps its because George recorded this one on his own independent record label. Who knows... However, had I not been out to LA (where I heard it played often) I would not have even know about the CD as it has gotten no airplay on any stations in the New York area. At least I have not heard anything yet! What a shame. The world of Jazz has been so tired and boring lately and this is the shot in the arm it needed. Cool and funky innovative grooves throughout with some nice contemporary jazz songs. It's a shame I don't hear it in NY. Also, I was a little disappointed with the liner notes - no copyright date information or the kind of information you would like to see on each song, but overall, a really a great CD to add to your collection.

This CD really highlights George Duke's mastery of the piano. A lot of folks tend to make the mistake of dismissing George as "multi-keyboardist/producer/songwriter". On this CD,the brother just plays the piano! The band on this CD is pretty tough, too. Especially Christian McBride, who contributes some serious basslines and solos to this effort. It's good to see real musicianship returning to the music industry....

Duke's best album in years is the first release on the musician's own BPM (Big Piano Music) label. Freedom from major label expectations has rejuvinated Mr. Duke. His playing is livlier (especially on the brazilian/gospel piece "My Piano" and the smooth, but funky "Let's Roll"), and the smooth instrumentals "Guess You're Not The One" and "Chillin'" are commercial, yet have more than enough soul to successfully avoid being "wallpaper music." Musicianship is top-notch throughout, especially the creative use of the acoustic bass to add character to these smooth/funky/fusion compositions (the bass solos are definitely worth checking out).
Other winners on this set include "Close To You", the only all-out vocal piece on this album, the humorous "Creepin'" and the frantic closer "Ten Mile Jog". A big thumbs up also to Mr. Duke for creatively sampling an old Cannonball Adderly monologue in the opening soul-jazz smoker "Black Messiah, Part Two". Fans of Duke's smooth jazz work and albums from his days as an MPS recording artist (early 1970s) are in for a treat.

This album (CD) is an eclectic mixture from Ole School Funk, like Ain't It Funky Now and Creepin' to acid-funk jazz with songs like Another Way To Look At It to straight acid-jazz with Ten Miles Jog.

Duke begins with a hip live performance of The Black Messiah (Part II). My personal favorites are the mesmerizing sounds of Chillin' and Let's Roll (Dukes tribute to 9/11). These transcendental songs remind me of "Look What We Started" from Illusions and "Sunrise" from the Snapshot CD's - spellbinding.

The accompaniment of Christian McBride on acoustic bass and John Roberts and Lenny Castro on percussions add an incredibly hypnotic dimension to Dukes non-accoustic raptures.

There's a little bit of something on this album (CD) for everyone.

Face the Music is a George Duke mosaic that expresses the many diverse facets of a great artist's soul! There's soul, there's jazz, there's latin, there's blues and even a touch of the old Zappa in this chapter. George is one of the GREAT jazz/fusion keyboardists whose performance is solidly supported by Chris McBride and Little John Roberts who build a pocket SO deep their keencaps are surely scratched raw. Every track is different and interesting, something for EVERYONE! This is truly great music! Excuse me, I gotta go listen to it AGAIN!

George is very good at creating diverse CDs. This one is no different. He always combines a refreshing mellow touch with some funky "down and dirty" material. Always full of pleasant listening surprises. However, I wish he'd do better at ensuring announcements of his new material are widespread! I just "happened" on this one by surfing the web! Anyway, get this one! You won't be disappointed.

I discovered George Duke's latest offering when he stopped by KJLH radio station to promote the CD. I'm glad I tuned in that morning! Duke outdid himself on this one. The music is a testament to his profound skills and talent as a musician, composer, producer, and performer. I am loving "Face the Music!" Definitely add it to your CD collection!You won't be disappointed.

I love George Duke and didn't realize he had a new release. His work prior to this cd is Cool, which I enjoyed very much. Some critics thought it was scattered, but I thought it was diverse and really enjoyed the eclectic-ness of the cd. This cd has much more uniformity and carries jazz or jazzy elements from track to track. The music is the focus, moreso than the lyrics, Hence...Face the Music! Check it out...I'm sure you will enjoy it.