GEORGE DUKE

George Duke and George Benson had similar careers in the 80's - going pretty well in the first part of the 80's, both top instrumentalists, great vocalists and experiencing the career low point in the second half of the 80's getting drowned in the dated music settings. Duke experiments with synths, loops and effects. I suppose there are even no acoustic instruments here on the album, drums have the typical mid-late 80's sound. This does not help elevate the already pedestrian material. First better song comes with "Good friend", a female vocal sung romantic song. "So mean to me" has a good keyboard solo, for 80's. "Stand with your man" is an attempt at funk, lively bass. "The morning, you and love" is a radio-suitable ballad with a clean melody and flow. "African Violet" is the sole instrumental piece, moderately developed and calming.