FACE THE MUSIC

One of the best late Duke albums comes with "Face the music". There is the groovy cozy feeling characteristic to all late GD albums. Secondly, it contains a couple of good compositions and moves. What should we think of the great "Creepin'" with unusual chord sequence, creepy feeling and kind of RIO vocals, maybe an idea from the Zappa times? We have excellent dynamic funk with perfect instrumentation on the 11-minute workout "Ten mile jog". Jazz purists may welcome the acoustic bass by Christian McBride on some tracks but it is also changed to the funky electric bass. Horn section play creatively, too. And the master itself, delivers some of the most motivated keyboard chops in his late career, be it on "Let's roll" with electric piano and with classic piano on "Chillin'". Most songs are long but not boring thanks to the lively instrumentation. Fusion fans will be pleased by several keyboard/bass/drums interactions although not at the very adventurous level. Recommended.