Search - George Duke :: Cool

Cool
George Duke
Cool
Genres: Jazz, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (13) - Disc #1

George Duke wears shades on the back cover and calls his latest recording Cool, but "Busy" and "Scattered" might better fit this wild potpourri of R&B, pop, jazz, gospel, and Brazilian sounds. It feels as if he's takin...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: George Duke
Title: Cool
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Warner Bros / Wea
Original Release Date: 9/19/2000
Release Date: 9/19/2000
Genres: Jazz, Pop
Style: Smooth Jazz
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 093624766025

Synopsis

Amazon.com
George Duke wears shades on the back cover and calls his latest recording Cool, but "Busy" and "Scattered" might better fit this wild potpourri of R&B, pop, jazz, gospel, and Brazilian sounds. It feels as if he's taking a stand against the unwritten modern music biz rule that homogeny sells records, as each tune genre hops gleefully, capturing yet another facet of the keyboardist-producer's spirited personality. He goes into a Curtis Mayfield falsetto to sing us his autobiography on the retro-soul-minded "Marin City," and returns to that voice on "Ancient Source," an ode to the music of Africa featuring exotic chants and offbeat percussion. Once we have the background, Duke plays comedic social observer ("Wake Up, Smell the Coffee"); corny, hopeless romantic ("She's Amazing," sung soulfully with Chante Moore); a traveler to the joyous part of Rio ("If You Will," which features Duke's Rhodes dancing over samba grooves, vocal choruses, and the solo voice of Flora Purim); spiritual leader (playing keys behind the gospel group Anointed on "Never Be Another"); and adviser to the lovelorn with stars in their eyes on "If He Ain't Mr. Right (Then He's Mr. Wrong)." Some of the tunes are catchy and fun, but few measure up to his vast catalog. More effective is Duke's Quincy Jones-like flair for inviting too many musicians to the party and then making the most of each invitee. It's always been clear, however, that Duke is a far superior keyboardist than vocalist, and it's unfortunate that most of his best solos here come midway through vocals that don't always catch fire. Two of the all-instrumental pieces--especially the meandering ambient piece "At a Glance"--fall short, but the brassy, snappy "Whatever It Takes" keeps the focus where it should be, on his melodic playing. More of this would create the cool Duke aspired to. --Jonathan Widran

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CD Reviews

Once again-Master of the GAME!
Edward Saunders Jr. | Nashville, TN USA | 10/09/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This artist is once again on top of his form! He displays his more than capable handling of different musical genres on this CD. He is a hopeless romantic, but that is good! I sometimes wonder if music critics realize that music is entertainment and should please try and remember that.... Back to George---all of the cuts are nice and have many different rhythms and melodies to pick up on as you listen to this CD again and again! Another great effort from the Big Poppa!!!!!ed saunders jr.Nashville, TN"
ANCIENT SOURCE - THE SIX MINUTE EARGASM
sweetears | Salt Lake City | 10/03/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"George has assembled some of the best musicians and vocalists for this project and used them suitably for every composition. I like the fact that he is singing more as his voice moves in very distinctive waves that combined with his own keyboard playing are highly complimentary and even more so with the female vocalists on this cd. I can only say that when I picked up this cd and I listened to Ancient Source I thanked George and I thanked God for George (spirituality is everywhere!). This song is filled with surprise elements and it makes me dance with joy each and every time I listen to it. It is EARGASMIC! If the music is predictable and there's no real experience within why bother, right? All I can say is "You Go George." Musically it is all over the place and its warm, cool, intense and spacious. George has done it all during his career and his experience reflects itself in every song. There should be several r&b hits on this cd, particularly "Never Be Another" (oh my God!), along with some very good instrumentals "Whatever It Takes" (y'all heard any really good horns lately). It will take more than one listen however, and that's a good thing; that's what classics are made of."