I LOVE THE BLUES, SHE HEARD MY CRY

Impressive lineup on this record raises the expectations on the record quality and also raises questions on the cohesiveness. Legitimately, because Duke has always been a versatile keyboard player what we get here, is a usual mix of R&B, funk, fusion and even soul and blues. The fusion role has diminished with time, sometimes acting as accompaniment to a funk rhythm section. "Look into her eyes" has a fantastic rhythmic structure in the beginning, another nod to the drummer. We also hear more electrical guitar on the record that doesn't get in the way of keyboard though.

Most songs are under 4 minutes and given the number of ideas, Duke could have add more playing time to showcase playing abilities - let's go back to the second track whose end seem abrupt to me. "Sister Serene" is one of the best instrumental ballad, ironically written by Chancler (drummer). Duke certainly knows how to keep a low key on this one, adding warm electric piano touches and synths. "That's what she said" is one of the most balanced fusion Duke instrumentals, taking inspiration from Zappa (listen to the marimba parts), motivated guitar leads and keyboards. The black heritage comes with "Mashavu" and bluesy rocker "Rokkinrowl" with amazing Hendrixy vocal by Duke. Miles away from fusion but why not? The golden dish comes with the ambitious "Giantchild within us" that starts with a classical piano, adding marimba, transforming to prog-rock synth and then the drummer catapults the track with frenetic drumming into the fusion heights. Duke seconds with keyboard bass, piano and synths. Excellent and very memorable composition with a constant heartbeat of excitement! The ending is reminiscent of RTF. This song could have easily lasted for 10 minutes. After that we enter a jazz-funk and blues territory again. Strange as it may sound, despite many artistic directions, this album sounds like a lot of fun to all participants!