George Duke - Liberated Fantasies
George Duke - vocals, keyboards, synthesizers [click here to see more vinyl featuring George Duke]
Embamba - bass
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums, 'Roto-Toms,' vocals on "Liberated Fantasies"
Napoleon Murphy Brock - lead vocals on "Tryin' & Cryin'," background vocals on "Seeing You" and "Liberated Fantasies"
Janet Ferguson Hof - background vocals on "Seeing You," voice of "Amanda"
Bonnie Bowdon Amaro - vocals on "After The Love" and "Liberated Fantasies"
David Amaro - acoustic guitar on "After The Love"
Daryl Stuermer - guitar on "Tryin' & Cryin'" and "Liberated Fantasies"
George Johnson - guitar on "Don't Be Shy"
Ruth K. Underwood - voice of riddle in "What The..."
Rashid Duke - vocals on "What The..."
Emil Richards - marimba on "I C'n Hear That"
Airto - percussion on "I C'n Hear That," "After The Love" and "Liberated Fantasies"
1 LP, standard sleeve
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : unspecified
Label : MPS
Original Label : MPS
Recorded at Paramount Recording Studios
Engineered & mixed by Kerry McNabb
Produced by George Duke
Originally released in 1976
Reissued in 2018
Tracks:
Side A:
- Don't Be Shy
- Seeing You
- Back To Where We Never Left
- What The...
- Tryin' & Cryin'
Side B:
- I C'n Hear That
- After The Love
- Tzina (excerpts from Act II Scene II)
- Liberated Fantasies
Reviews:
“When George Duke recorded Liberated Fantasies in 1976, he had yet to make R&B his primary focus, but he was gradually moving in that direction. Liberated Fantasies is primarily an album of instrumental jazz fusion, although three of the tunes offer R&B or rock vocals. Singer Napoleon Brock provides an enjoyable rock vocal on "Tryin' and Cryin'," and Duke's lead singing on the funky "Don't Be Shy" and the mellow soul number "Seeing You" give listeners a taste of what was to come on albums like 1977's Reach for It, 1978's Don't Let Go and 1979's Follow the Rainbow. Meanwhile, his skills as a fusion keyboardist are illustrated by instrumentals that include the playful "I C'n Hear That," the groovin' "Back to Where We Never Left" and the Brazilian-minded title song. Generally decent and occasionally excellent, Liberated Fantasies falls short of essential but is worth hearing if enjoy hearing Duke tackle a variety of material.” AllMusic Review by Alex Henderson
Ratings :
AllMusic : 3,5 / 5 , Discogs : 4,21 / 5