Duke
(2005)
My second CD on BPM has some great moments. The package also contains a DVD of two songs from my 1983 Live in Japan DVD. The album is made up of some songs that were previously destined for other projects but for some reason or other did not make. Nevertheless I knew these songs contained something special, at least for me anyway. Howard Hewett, Kim Johnson, and my new bg singer in my touring band, Shannon Pearson, handle the majority of the bg vocals.
"Trust" was originally written and produced for a relatively unknown singer who was recording an old school album. When that album was not released, I took the original track and began replacing the synth instruments with real players, starting with Teddy "oh so steady" Campbell. Alex Al-bass and Jubu-guitar round out the rhythm section which I think speaks for itself. I originally had a full vocal lyric, but decided in the end to let my piano do the talking, with the vocals simply stating the title - Trust
"I Wanna Know" was also written for the same old school project mentioned above, however I decided to sing this one. By the way the lead instrument is not a guitar, but Native Instruments Prophet V virtual synth running through Native Instruments Guitar Rig.
"Superwoman" - was originally produced and arranged for Eric Bene for the Living Single soundtrack. Having always liked the arrangement, when it didn't make the album I decided to redo the track for my album but featuring me on the piano. I sampled Eric's bg vocals and there you have it. It's a great song written by one of this generations most talented songwriters, Stevie Wonder.
"No One" was originally written for Anita Baker. She had asked me to write her a song that was similar to "No Rhyme No Reason". When the track was finished I called Rachelle Ferrell and had her write the lyrics, sing the demo, and then submitted the song to Anita. However, Anita decided not to record the song. Later, I remembered that the demo was in my tape library, so I decided to record an instrumental version of the song with bg vocals in the Chorus, and replace the basic synth instruments with real players. Christain McBride plays upright bass along with Everette Harp-sax, Oscar Brashear-trumpet, Paul Jackson and Ray Fuller on guitar.
"T-Jam" was written for the Tavis Smiley PBS radio show. I met him at an induction of Al Jarreau into the Hollywood Star Walk Of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard. I told him that he should call me sometime to write a theme song for one of his shows. The next day he called, I wrote the theme song and due to the overwhelming response, I have included a longer version on this album. Soloists include Hubert Laws-flute, Evertte Harp-alto sax, Oscar Brashear-trumpet, Shiela E-perc, and Christian McBride-bass. This song was nominated for a Grammy but did not win.
"Somebody's Body" was one of my new songs - I think it's an interesting story that I've actually experienced (in my youth). Teddy Campbell on drums is absolutely amazing on this track. Jubu & PJ lay the right guitar parts down, and Michael "Patches" Stewart plays harmon mute as only he can.
"Sausalito" is a nice little Brazilian groove with Airto on drums and percussion. I grew up very close to this small town, played my first gigs there as a young musician, attended grammar school close by, took out my first date and had regular doctor visits in Sausalito. The lyrics represent what I felt about the city during those days - I have a lot of great memories.
"Saturday Night" is a jazzy "stepper" tune. I had recently lost my mom and wanted to do something for her that I thought would make her smile. She liked to dance, so I give you "Saturday Night".
"In Between The Heartaches" is a great Burt Bacharach song. Again, this was an arrangement originally written for Dionne Warwick but didn't make the album. I always loved the arrangement, so I took it and re-recorded the tracks using a Rhodes lead.
"Hybrids" track was recorded some years ago but never finished. Yeah, it's another long one, 18:26. Ndugu, Byron, Shiela E and Airto round out the Rhythm Section. The idea was to have a simple chromatic melody that would recur from time to time on my cue, everything else was improvised. Once again Jef Lee Johnson gets the call to begin the tune. I took the track and orchestrated it at a later date. It's called Hybrids because the journey that this tune takes is a hybrid of many different styles, feelings and sounds. Are you ready for the trip?
Steve Wilson and "Patches" work really well together on this tune.
"Homeland" brings my buddy Jonathan Butler back to the studio - I just love the way he plays guitar! This is an African/Brazilian groove with some bebop here and there. It's a great tune to play live because the groove is so open.
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George Duke