REACH FOR IT

"Reach for it" continues in the Duke's transformation towards (good) funk with Latin elements. The transformation took a couple of years luckily and both or all three Duke fan camps (fusion, Latin, funk) could fine their share of songs.

This album starts on an ambitious note with no less than three instrumentals - an overture, rocking ARP led fusion number suitable for 1977, before letting out fire out of canon on the Latin irresistible "Hot fire" where percussions share duties with the drummer but the drummer seems to play drums as if it were percussions. The title track is perhaps the most commercial number so far with Clarke's type of bass playing - I guess it's the keyboard bass- in fact it is the main instrument in this song. Out of two other instrumentals ("Omi" and "Diamonds"). the latter is brilliant thanks to its changing rhythms and typical Duke soloing but also warm vocals.