Song:Sweet Baby
Album:Original Album Classics
Sweet Baby was a top 5 R & B hit and a top 20 pop hit from a couple of guys who are probably better known as jazz fusion musicians. Though this 5CD box set is issued under Stanley Clarke, the band was called The Clarke/Duke Project. They recorded three albums together in the 80s while they continued to do other things individually. Of course bassist Stanley Clarke (born June 30, 1951 in Philadelphia) is best known for his days with Chick Corea's fusion group Return To Forever and he also scores film and TV and plenty of other projects. And he had solo success with his 1976 album School Days. Pianist, singer, songwriter and producer George Duke (born Jan 12, 1946 in San Raphael, CA) made his name with Frank Zappa in the 70s. But he also recorded several albums with drummer Billy Cobham in the late 70s. Clarke and Duke were both recording for Epic in the late 70s so it was inevitable that they get together and record. Clarke/Duke Project was released in 1981 and Sweet Baby reached #6 on the R & B Singles chart and #19 on the Billboard Hot 100. It has been Duke's biggest pop hit to date. He sings the song and wrote it as well. It's still a very popular R & B bedroom classic. The Clarke/Duke Project recorded a total of three albums between 1981-90 while both guys continued to do other stuff. This 5CD box set of Stanley Clarke albums is part of series of jazz box sets released by Sony Europe and it's very economical. Clarke and Duke reunited for a tour in 2006 and they continue to do other things. Duke has worked with Jill Scott and Clarke is currently on tour with drummer Lenny White and pianist Hiromi Uehara and I will see them at this year's Toronto Jazz Festival. Here's the video for Sweet Baby by The Clarke/Duke Project.
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