Is Love Enough
(1997)
This album is quite musically diverse. There are some great moments, but in the end they don't hold the album together as a focused album. But the great moments are great I must say. The funk material is real funky, and the pretty tunes are real pretty. For some reason, at that time, I felt I needed to let it all out, you know, show my diversity again.
The lyrics overall, are meant to make one think. From "Is Love Enough" to "Whatever Happened To---," and "Love Songs" which I believe was the last recorded performance of my good friend George Howard, who I miss dearly.
I had been touring with Rachelle for some years by this time, and we had begun using a young drummer from Atlanta, John Roberts (Janet Jackson). This record also features Ndugu on drums and Byron Miller on bass - what else is new?
One personal highlight is "This Place Called Home" which features a duet with Dianne Reeves and Jonathan Butler. I love "Whatever Happened To---" with my buddy Dori Caymmi.
"Back In The Day" features some of my jazz buddies. On trumpet, Oscar Brashear; on percussion, Airto; on sax, Benny Maupin, and on trombone, Bruce Fowler.
"Kinda Low" and "Is Love Enough" was recorded like I used to record my old funk records. I think it was the first time Rachelle Ferrell had been exposed, one on one, to that kind of environment. She blossomed like a flower, and being a natural music explorer and seeker, decided she needed to put some more funk in her life. Oh lord, what have I done? Well, if it's in ya it's gonna come out - or your nose will grow!!
"How About You" features Norman Brown on guitar, a recent signed artist to Warner Brothers. He's a great young player.
I wrote the theme song for the Malcolm and Eddy show, along with its stars. It was such fun, that I decided to finish the song and put it on my CD. The song features Vesta and Lory Perry. Also featured are Gerald Albright on sax, Ray Brown on trumpet (Earth, Wind & Fire). 1997 is the year, and my old buddy Paul Jackson on guitar. I must also mention once again the brilliant playing of Ray Fuller - 1997 is the year.
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George Duke