Stanley Clarke George Duke / Tokyo, Japan 1981

The Clarke/Duke Project in 1981 was a dream team that was gaining attention in the jazz/fusion world, and was also in the midst of a big hit with “Sweet Baby”. This superb soundboard album is now available. This work was recorded on “July 24, 1981: Denen Coliseum”. It is a stereo soundboard recording of their appearance at the now defunct legendary festival “LIVE UNDER THE SKY”. “LIVE UNDER THE SKY” is a representative jazz festival in Japan that began at the Denen Coliseum in 1977. In later years, the venue was moved due to noise issues, but 1981 was the last time it was held at its birthplace. This year was held for five days from July 22nd to 26th, with participation from SONNY ROLLINS SPECIAL GROUP, CHICK COREA SPECIAL GROUP, PACO DE LUCIA GROUP with CHICK COREA, HERBIE HANCOCK & CARLOS SANTANA BAND with WYNTON MARSALIS, and others. Stanley Clarke & George Duke also played as Sonny Rollins’ backing, but also appeared on the third day as a popular duo unit. Such a stage is also known for being broadcast on the radio, and has been loved as a classic that has produced many existing releases. This work is a two-disc set that precisely reproduces the best master of such a classic FM sound board. It is a master once excavated from the Masterport label, but its quality is exquisite. Although it is a bit wild to call it “fully official grade” by modern standards, it is the quality of the broadcast itself. The mix, which is free of any artificiality that creates a concert experience, is reminiscent of the output sound of the on-site PA, and you can enjoy the pleasure of your whole body synchronizing with the bare live performance. Such a super direct sound board depicts the essence of the duo unit that attracted the attention of the scene. Let’s organize the set here. Clark Duke Project Wild Dog / Sweet Baby / Louie Louie Others Stanley Clarke: Silly Putty / School Days / Rock ‘N’ Roll Jelly George Duke: Brazilian Love Affair … and so on. At that time, it had been three months since the hit of the single “Sweet Baby”, but the debut work “THE CLARKE / DUKE PROJECT” was about to be released. Only three songs were selected from the album, and boldly selected from the solo works of the two. And the ensemble is the key. The sound of this work is super clear, both in the touch of the synth and the vibe of the bass strings, and each sound runs through the brain like a taut thread, and the ensemble intertwines in all directions to weave a magnificent tapestry. People look for different things in live albums, such as a “simulated concert experience” or a “musical work performed live,” but in this case it is the latter. As it is a monumental festival, there is a historical spectacle, but the sympathy between the masters is too vivid. The dream unit THE CLARKE/DUKE PROJECT was particularly popular at a festival crowded with big names. This is a two-disc set that allows you to fully enjoy the stage with the finest stereo soundboard. Even now, after 40 years of time and space…no, it is a vivid live performance because of now. Stereo soundboard recording of “July 24, 1981: Denen Coliseum”. The quality of the meticulously reproduced best master of the classic FM sound board is of the excavation official class, and the whole body synchronizes with the bare live performance. The touch of the synth and the vibe of the bass strings are super clear, and each sound runs through the brain like a taut thread, and the ensemble intertwines in all directions to weave a magnificent tapestry. This is a two-disc set of “official substitutes” that allows you to enjoy the historical stage. Den-en Colosseum, Tokyo, Japan 24th July 1981 STEREO SBD Disc 1(47:18) 1. Intro 2. Wild Dog 3. Silly Putty 4. Sweet Baby 5. Mc 6. Clark/Duke Jam Disc 2(46:19) 1. Mc 2. Brazilian Love Affair 3. Drum Solo 4. Brazilian Love Affair (Reprised) 5. Bass Solo 6. School Days / Rock ‘N’ Roll Jelly Encore 7. Louie Louie Stanley Clarke – Bass George Duke – Keyboards, Vocal Denzil Miller – Bass Edwin Martinez – Guitar Gordon Peeks – Drums STEREO SOUNDBOARD RECORDING