Master of the Game
George Duke · 1979
42 min · 9 tracks · jazz
A vibrant fusion of jazz, funk, and rock that showcases George Duke's virtuosic keyboards and eclectic musical vision.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Look What You Find — This track opens the album with a catchy groove that balances intricate melodies and rhythmic complexity, setting the tone for Duke's exploratory style.
-
→
I Want You for Myself — This song features lush harmonies and emotive vocals, showcasing Duke's ability to blend jazz sensibilities with accessible pop elements.
-
→
Part 1: The Alien Challenges the Stick / Part 2: The Alien Succumbs to the Macho Intergalactic Funkativity of the Funkblasters — A bold and ambitious piece that merges various musical themes and showcases Duke's flair for storytelling through instrumental compositions.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalDuke's fusion of styles and virtuosic playing create a distinctive sound, though cohesion varies across tracks.
What we noticed
- The album features intricate keyboard solos that often shift between jazz, funk, and rock styles within the same track.
- The final track is a multi-part suite that blends various musical themes, creating a narrative flow throughout its length.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like pacing with climaxes
- soulful melodies for introspection
- vibrant grooves for dancing
- engaging narrative through tracks
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward song structures
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1979, Master of the Game was George Duke's fourth studio album, following his successful collaboration with Frank Zappa. At this point, Duke had established himself as a prominent figure in the jazz fusion scene, blending various genres while also gaining recognition for his innovative keyboard techniques and production skills.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Herbie Hancock· Chick Corea· Weather Report
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Look What You Find 4:46
- 2 Every Little Step I Take 3:51
- 3 Games 3:16
- 4 I Want You for Myself 6:40
- 5 In the Distance 2:21
- 6 I Love You More 3:08
- 7 Dog Man 4:42
- 8 Everybody's Talkin' 4:21
- 9 Part 1: The Alien Challenges the Stick / Part 2: The Alien Succumbs to the Macho Intergalactic Funkativity of the Funkblasters 9:20
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.