The Clarke/Duke Project - Clarke/Duke Project, Vol. 2 (CD)

Stanley And George Wander Into...New Wave?

By Andre  Apr 21, 2006

Pros: Driving and well composed songs

Cons: Rings a bit hollow around the edges

The debut Clarke/Duke Project and this album have a very different flavor.This 1983 release starts off with two new wave synthesized dance-rock 'flashdance' type numbers "Put It On The Line" (which is rockier and sung by Stanley) an...d George's funkier variation on the exact same sound "Heroes",which was a dance hit for them.Aside from the to-the-point early 80's dance funk of "The Good Times" (one of the albums best tunes) there is a lot of experimentation here-some of which works and some doesn't.The ones that do work are the great gospelish song "Every Reason To Smile"-very easy chorus to sing a long to as well.Then there is Stanley's bouncy "Trip You In Love" and his instrumental showcase with Billy Cobham "Atlanta"-the beat is slogging and keeps at you,unlike a lot of Cobham's standard bombast.The beat is big though and the bass guitar solo gives it a slight arena rock flavor.And "Try Me Baby" is actually better then the hit ballad on the first album but far less successful.That could be said of a lot of this-in other places not mentioned this album tries too hard to copy the first.But despite it's minor incosistancy it's a great funky soul outing with a few rock and new wave influences in mind from two great talents in that arena. Read more Less