George Duke – Guardian Of The Light (150g, Japanese Edition)
RARITY - SEALED
Vocals, Piano, Keyboards [Rhodes, Prophet V, Clavitar Solo, Korg Poly Six, Mini-Moog, Melodiom, Sennheiser & Roland Vocoder]: George Duke [click here to see more vinyl featuring George Duke]
Backing Vocals: Lynn Davis (A4-5, B2), Jeffrey Osborne (A4-5, B3), Portia Griffin (A4-5, B1), Patti Austin (B2)
Bass: Louis Johnson (A1-2, A4, B1-2, B6), Byron Miller (A3, A6)
Drums: John Robinson (A1–A4, B1-2), Leon "Ndugu" Chancler (A5-6, B6)
Guitar: Mike Sembello (A1, A4, A6, B1-2, B4), Charles Fearing (A2, A3), Johnny McGhee (B5)
Percussion: Paulinho da Costa (A1, A3, A4, A6), Steve Forman (Tabla on B4)
Drums : Larry Bunker (B6)
Flugelhorn, Trumpet, Trumpet : Gary Grant, Jerry Hey (A1, A6, B1, B6)
Trombone: Lew McCreary (A1-2, A6, B1)
Saxophone [Tenor]: Larry Williams (A1-2, A6, B1)
Concertmaster: Paul Shure (A1-2, A6-7, B1, B4)
Backing Vocals: Lynn Davis (A4-5, B2), Jeffrey Osborne (A4-5, B3), Portia Griffin (A4-5, B1), Patti Austin (B2)
Handclaps: Lynn Davis, Portia Griffin, Rachelle Fields (B1)
Written, arranged and orchestrated by George Duke
1 LP, Gatefold jacket
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 150g
Record color : black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : unspecfied (Japan)
Label : EPIC Japan
Original Label : EPIC
Recorded at Le Gonks West (Hollywood, California), The Complex (Los Angeles, California), Ocean Way Recording (Los Angeles, California)
Engineered by Tommy Vicari
Produced by George Duke
Liner Notes by George Duke
Originally released in 1983
Tracks:
Side A
- Overture
- Light
- Shane
- Born To Love You
- Silly Fightin'
- You (Are The Light)
- The War Fugue Interlude
Side B
- Reach Out
- Give Me Your Love
- Stand
- Soon
- Celebrate
- Fly Away
Reviews:
« Coming to the close of his tenure with Epic records, Duke's great work seemed to be overshadowed by bunk. At the same time, he was becoming an in-demand producer with assignments from Jeffrey Osborne, Phillip Bailey, and Deniece Williams filling his schedule. Guardian of the Light reflects that strain. Released in 1983, Guardian of the Light also had the added baggage of a hard-to-follow concept of a fictional character's mystical exploits. This being George Duke, although the idea is odd, he was sure to get some good songs done here. It doesn't come easily however. Despite the good intentions, "Light," "Shane," and "Reach Out" differ little from the melodically challenged songs that typified his post-Brazilian Love Affair efforts. That being said, Guardian of the Light does include a classic. The gorgeous and soaring "You (Are the Light)" has Duke giving a particularly strong vocal performance. Duke also does one of his best Rhodes solos on the track as well. "Born to Love You" is also very affecting. This album closes with the rock-influenced and surprisingly effective "Fly Away." This effort is worth seeking out for its highs, but the middling work does seem to win out here. » AllMusic Review by Jason Elias
Ratings :
AllMusic : 2.5 / 5 ; Discogs : 4,55 / 5