ILLUSIONS

Duke continues with contemporary R&B/smooth jazz on this album, which fares slightly better than "Snapshot". He even adds 4 or 5 good instrumentals that sound inspired. The music flows nicely, is subdued but not dull and at least keyboard performance is convincing. So where's the catch? After hearing the album, you won't remember much of it as there aren't any compositional strengths despite production and playing experience. To me, instrumentals stand out and so some instrumental performances in the vocal tracks such as the upbeat and powerful "Life and times". From instrumentals, let's mention the atmospheric advanced piano licks in "Money", the reflective "No greater love". Good but little to find for progressive ears.