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JJ 11/75: George Duke – The Aura Will Prevail

Fifty years ago, Roger Dean approved of the tonal variety and of the Frank Zappa cover in Duke's 'crude pop' record but didn't hear enough improvisation. First published in Jazz Journal November 1975

Most of this LP is crude pop, with mediocre vocals and uninteresting backing. In some of the instrumental sections (e.g. Dawn) Duke does make some use of his piano technique, and of a variety of tone colours (on the many keyboards) available. But there is no improvising of substance. The most individual track is Zappa’s Echidna, with intermittent fast bars of quavers in 5/8, played nearly unanimously by drums and Duke on keyboards including Moog bass. But even on this track there is a very weak continuation to this strong opening, and no develop­ment.

Discography
Dawn; For Love; Foosh; Floop de Loop; Malibu; Fools; Echidna’s Arf; Uncle Remus; The Aura
Duke (keyboards/synthesisers); Leon Chancler (dm/vcl); Alphonso Johnson (bs); Airto Moreira (perc); Sylvia St. James, Kathy Woehrle, Gee Janzen (vcl).
(MPS BAP 5064 £2.50)

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