Follow the Rainbow
Follow the Rainbow is the thirteenth studio album by American keyboardist George Duke released in 1979 through Epic Records.[2] The album peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart and at No. 17 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart.[3][4]
| Follow the Rainbow | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1979 | |||
| Studio | ||||
| Genre | Jazz-funk | |||
| Length | 43:11 | |||
| Label | Epic | |||
| Producer | George Duke | |||
| George Duke chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Follow the Rainbow | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
Overview
Follow the Rainbow was produced by George Duke. Recording sessions for the album took place at Westlake Recording Studios in Hollywood, California, except for track 8, "Corine", which was recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City.[2]
Duke played various keyboard instruments on Follow the Rainbow, including Fender Rhodes, Yamaha Electric Grand, Yamaha Grand Piano 9', Hohner D-6 clavinet, ARP Odyssey, Minimoog, Oberheim, Prophet, Funkosizer, Crumer Strings. The album also featured contributions from Napoleon Murphy Brock & Lynn Davis on vocals, Roland Bautista & Charles "Icarus" Johnson on guitars, Ricky Lawson & Leon Chancler on drums, Larry Williams, Jerry Hey and Sheila Escovedo among others.[2]
Singles
The singles "Party Down", "Say That You Will" and "Pluck". "Say That You Will" each reached No. 25 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Party Down" |
| 3:10 |
| 2. | "Say That You Will" | George Duke | 3:06 |
| 3. | "Funkin' for the Thrill" | Byron Miller | 4:02 |
| 4. | "Sunrise" | George Duke | 4:45 |
| 5. | "Festival" | George Duke | 6:41 |
| 6. | "I Am for Real (May the Funk Be with You)" (featuring Children Of Distinction) | George Duke | 5:21 |
| 7. | "Straight from the Heart" | George Duke | 3:53 |
| 8. | "Corine" | George Duke | 6:02 |
| 9. | "Pluck" | George Duke | 4:48 |
| 10. | "Follow the Rainbow" | George Duke | 1:24 |
| Total length: | 43:11 | ||
Personnel
- George Duke – vocals, grand piano, electric pianos, clavinet, synthesizers
- Charles Foster Johnson – guitar
- Roland Bautista – electric guitar (1, 2)
- Kevin "Serious Biz" Dugan – guitar, bass (1, 2, 4-10)
- Byron Miller – bass (3), vocals (3)
- Ricky Lawson – drums (1-6, 9, 10)
- Leon "Ndugu" Chancler – drums (7, 8)
- Sheila E. – percussion, vocals
- Larry Williams – alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute
- Rick Culver – trombone
- Jerry Hey – trumpet, flugelhorn
- Napoleon Murphy Brock – vocals
- Lynn Davis – vocals
- Josie James – vocals
- Darrell "Sweet D" Cox – cosmotic narrator (1, 3)
- Children of Distinction – choir (6)[2]
Production
- George Duke – producer
- Kerry McNabb – recording (1-7, 9, 10), mixing
- David Palmer – recording (8)
- Dave Rideau – assistant engineer
- John Golden – mastering at Kendun Recorders (Burbank, California).
- Tony Lane – art direction
- Tom Drennon – design
- John Laven – illustration
- Bruce Talamon – photography[2]
Chart history
| Year | Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | US Top Jazz Albums | 3[3] |
| US Top Soul Albums | 17[4] | |
| US Billboard 200 | 56 |
References
- Henderson, Alex. "Follow the Rainbow – George Duke". AllMusic. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
- George Duke: Follow the Rainbow. Epic Records. 1979.
- "Billboard's Best Selling Jazz LPs" (PDF). americanradiohistory.com. Vol. 91 no. 14. Billboard. April 7, 1979. p. 50.
- "George Duke: Follow The Rainbow (Top Soul Albums)". billboard.com. Billboard.