GEORGE DUKE – MASTER OF THE GAME & FOLLOW THE RAINBOW (EXPANDED EDITIONS)

After his US R&B success with Reach For It (1977) and Dukey Stick (1978), Master Of The Game was jazz'n'funk pioneer George Duke's fifth album for Epic Records, the follow up to Follow The Rainbow. A US Top 20 R&B and Top 200 pop charted album, Master Of The Game included the Top 30 R&B and club hit single `I Want You For Myself' featuring vocalist Lynn Davis. The master keyboardist was the sole writer on eight tracks collaborating with famed percussionist Sheila E. on Games" and with guitarist David Myles, drummer Ricky Lawson and bassist Byron Miler - all featured players on the album - on the nine-minute-plus funk opus, "The Alien Challenges The Stick/The Alien Succumbs To The Macho Intergalactic Funkativity Of The Funkblasters." Other key cuts on Master Of The Game - previously only available as a Japanese CD release - include the Latin-flavoured instrumental `Dog-Man' and the Earth, Wind & Fire-influenced cut `Every Little Step I Take.'

A US Top 5 jazz, Top 20 R&B and Top 60 pop charted album, Follow The Rainbow included the Top 30 R&B hit single `Say That You Will.' The master keyboardist - who wrote all but one track on the album ("Funkin' For The Thrill," written by bassist Byron Miller) - brought together key players such as drummer Ndugu Chancler, percussionist Sheila E., singers Lynn and Josie James and former Earth Wind & Fire member Roland Bautista for the fun'n'funk sessions. Key cuts on Follow The Rainbow - previously only available as a Japanese CD release - include Duke grooves `Party Down' and `I Am For Real,' the slow jam `Straight From The Heart' and the mellow jazz instrumental `Corine' (written for George's wife). Follow The Rainbow is one of the four George Duke classic jazz/funk albums being reissued by SoulMusic.com Records.