George Duke has no ILLUSIONS when it comes to making good music. Packed with soul, jazz, R&B and funk, this latest collection of strong and diverse songs proves him to be truly a master of fusion. He succeeds not only in melding musical genres, but also in conveying a message of substance with an alluring style.
ILLUSION's songs speak from real life. From "Buffalo Soldiers," which honors the plight of African-Americans who served in the Civil War, and "C'est La Vie" (which warns, "Keepin' brothers down/It's gonna come back around"), to the romantic title track and the flirtatious "411," Duke writes from the heart. Each song sounds different, especially "Life And Times" which features an amazing array of talent, including James Ingram, Marvin Winans and Rachelle Ferrell among others. Another highlight is hearing the exquisite Dianne Reeves sing "Your love ain't all that, and you're getting kinda fat," on the melancholy "So I'll Pretend."
Yet for all the different subjects explored, the songs are held together with a deep groove. On the few instrumental tracks, Duke proves himself to still be a soulful improvisor. Whether he's playing over record scratches or strings, hip-hop rhythms or quiet storm beats, ILLUSIONS captures the sound and the soul of George Duke.
