Follow The Rainbow (Bonus Tracks)

The rainbow colors with which Duke chose to tint this album are taken less from the paint pots of fusion jazz and rock, and rather more from the black, natural colors of rhythm and blues. Next to a relaxed love groove ("Say That You Will") we find a polyphonic vocal number with solos ("Sunrise"), which conjures up the nostalgic atmosphere of Motown, now on the decline. Then there is snappy funk in all manner of variations, such as "Party Down", which swings trendily along but then comes over unfiltered and dry as a bone. In "Follow The Rainbow", genial musicianship, expert arrangements and a special feeling for resonance amalgamate to create a tightly-knit sound which is ever fresh and easy-going.