Search - George Duke :: Jazz Moods: Round Midnight

Love Songs & Late Night

F. Hagan | Raleigh, North Carolina, USA | 05/31/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"George Duke is an extremely difficult musician to classify. There isn't a style of piano or keyboard that he hasn't worked with, and stylistically he has played everything from classical to Brazilian jazz and all points in between. He is the modern embodiment of the music industry, having worn the shoes of a composer, an arranger, a producer, and once in awhile, a vocalist. Often times George Duke's musical stylings are the instrumental stuff of Barry White lyrics, best embodied by warm fireplaces, glasses of wine, welcoming blankets, and late nights involving two. It's wholly appropriate that George Duke is the subject of the album "George Duke: Jazz Moods - `Round Midnight (Epic/Legacy)" -- his music both inhabits that idea and receives its mail there.



This is not a recording that swings, at least not in the most conventional or dance oriented sense. The first four tracks are slow tempo and pure mood, all conveying ideas of romance and intimacy. This reviewer's pick is the funky "Stay Awhile," but there is an intoxicating, intimate charm in "Sweet Baby," "Love Reborn," and Just For You." "Love Reborn" is an instrumental cut from one of George's Brazilian jazz albums, but doesn't pulse like a samba.



"Corine" conveys the thoughtful contemplation of one who is beloved and "You (Are the Light)" is absolute romantic devotion that deserves roses and a bubble bath. This reviewer particularly likes "Summer Breezin'," a wonderful piece of modern bossa nova, but is quick to also give appreciation to the equally reflective final three tracks on the album, "I Need You Now," "Thinking of You," and "Lady," all of which are consistent love inspired pieces of modern jazz given an incredible treatment on various keyboard and piano styles with a light percussion line. The vocals that appear throughout all have the subdued R&B romance of some of the greatest funk recordings.



George Duke is late night personified by intimate emotional expressions of passion and deep commitment. He is contemporary styling poured through a jazz tumbler with a splash of funk that leaves a listener tingling like a bottle of red wine. In the world of jazz, he is a singular romantic force.

"

VERY Redundant

Andre' S Grindle | Bangor,ME. | 06/15/2004

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I am not giving one star to the music (all of whitch is excellent) but to two important things:for one this is one of
at least a dozen George Duke 'best-of's' available worldwide while even two of his greatest Epic albums (especially 1977's
brilliant 'From Me To You) remain out of print on a major label.
That's not to mention that all of his phenomenal funk-fusion albums for MPS/BASF in the mid 1970's are either unavailable or
have never BEEN on CD ('Feel' and 'Faces In Reflection' should be) and that right there makes this album a absolute waste of
record store space!Also the FBI has apparently 'write protected'
this CD so it cannot be burned off;making it pure,crass censorship that I doubt Duke himself advocated!I'm just glad that
Wounded Bird has reissued George Duke's 1975 Solo Keyboard Album
on CD this year because that is the KING of forgotton classics
to me and deserved a MASSIVE revisit!Anyway avoid this!"