Search - George Duke :: Dukey Treats

This is probably the legendary jazz virtuoso's best album i

Micki Zackary | Bombay, India | 09/30/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The veteran keyboard/piano Master and producer (Anita Baker, Regina Belle, Rachelle Ferrell, Dianne Reeves, Marilyn Scott, Flora Purim...) returns with a very solid offering.

This is an album that is closest to his late 70's Epic albums (Reach for It, Dukey Stick etc..).

He surrounds himself with friends old and new on this set, including Sheila E. on percussion and backing vocals, a full horn section (including Michael "Patches" Stewart on trumpet and saxophonist Everette Harp), Jef Lee Johnson and Ray Fuller on guitars, and vocalists DeeDee Foster, Josie James, and Lynn Davis, as well as guest appearances by Leon "Ndugu" Chancler, Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Wah Wah Watson, Lenny Castro on percussion, Christan McBride, Wayman Tisdale amd Michael Manson on bass and vocalists Rachelle Ferrell, Lynne Fiddmont, Teena Marie, Terry Dexter, Howard Hewett, Jonathan Butler.

A crowd-pleaser with a warm personality, he also has a serious side, and the dozen new songs here show the breadth of his artistry and awareness.

Tracks like "Everyday Hero" and the slowish masterpiece "Dukey Treats" have that P Funk tinged sound.

"Mercy" is a classic Jazz Funk style groove with a wicked instrumental break and keyboard solo following the vocal duet.

The complex instrumental "Images Of Us" is slightly more leftfield but is another Jazz Funk groover.

The gentler "I Tired To Tell You" and "Listen Baby" contrast with the frenetic Funk, as does the EWF sounding "Are You Ready".

Also on the mid-tempo side check "Somebody Laid It On Us" or the message based "Sudan", an indictment of the horrors of Darfur.

This is probably the best George Duke album for some time.

My favourite tracks: "Images Of Us", "Everyday Hero" and "Listen Baby".

"Dukey Treats" debuts at # 1 of The Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz chart and # 192 of The Billboard 200 Chart.

Issue Date: 2008-9-13

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Duke Puts the "Fun" Back In Funk

John L. Hughes, Jr. | Nashville, TN | 08/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On DUKEY TREATS, George Duke gives up the funk old-school style, complete with real live horns, fancy synth runs and good old-fashioned playing and singing just like back in da day. Highlights include the George Clinton tribute "A Fonk Tail", the "Dukey Stick"-like title track, "Mercy" (with its Sly and The Family Stone-like vocal interplay), and the excellent Earth, Wind and Fire knockoff "Are You Ready". Duke's old funk band from the 70s make appearances on these high quality tracks. You can't go wrong with Sheila E, Napolean Murphy Block, Byron Miller, Josie James, Lynn Davis and Ndugu Chancelor.



However, the biggest surprise here is the smooth ballad "Listen Here". On this gem, Duke taps his inner Ronald Isley/Marvin Gaye muse and delivers his best recorded vocal performance ever. And the trumpet fills by Michael Patches Stewart add icing to this already-tasty cake.



The set ends with "Images of Us", a sparkling instrumental that would fit right at home with Duke's classic 70s MPS albums.



Excellent throughout (except for the needless remix of "Creepin'"), DUKEY TREATS is a worthy addition to the Duke legacy."

It's Time For The Dukey Stick Again!

Andre S. Grindle | Brewer Maine | 09/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"George Duke's recording on his own BPM label have proven to be his most artistically successful period since his heyday on Epic Records. His recordings for the label so far Face the Music and Duke have been funky and original outings with Duke and his "merry men of jazzy funk" doing what they do best. And besides someone needed to lead the pack in offering a needed alternative to the Weather Channel-like "smooth jazz" that was everywhere for a couple decades,and Duke always did it with bells on. On this recording Duke assembled a group of vocalists he's worked with over the years from cousin Rachell Farrell to Howard Hewett. The great part is they provide the perfect backround and never intrude on the groove. The beauty part is along with his newer players Duke has also baught Sheila E,Ndugu Channcler and Napoleon Murphy Brock back into the fold-officially forming a new version of the classic George Duke Band. But it's all about the songs anyway so you get some great stuff. The album is filled from top to bottom with some fierce funk produced to perfection in "Everyday Hero",the title track,the P-Funk narrative "A Fonk Tail" and "Mercy". Of interest to fusion lovers will were also considered the topical "Sudan",the instrumenal extravaganza "Image Of Us" and even "Somebody Laid It On Us"-that and "Sudan" are great topical songs,showing not only George Duke hasn't forgotton the great funk message songs modern R&B often neglects but illustrating with a good hearted feeling how our local and global problems are closer related then we think. The ballads 'I Tried To Tell You","Listen Baby" and "Right On Time" are the finest Duke has done in years and showcase a smokier quality in his singing. Two more variations on classic funk in the slightly more programmed sounding "Creepin'" and the melodic EWF style "Are You Aready" add up to a well rounded set you can enjoy from beginning to end and will make you hungry for Duke's next recording."