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User reviews and community discussions for the Al Jarreau - My Old Friend (Celebrating George Duke) CD (2014, Concord Music) are limited in the available search results, with no direct consumer feedback on physical CD aspects like build quality, reliability, or packaging; coverage focuses primarily on professional album reviews praising its musical content.
### Sound Quality
Reviews highlight excellent production and smooth, updated interpretations of George Duke's songs, blending old-school R&B, smooth jazz, and bossa nova influences. Standout tracks include "Churchyheart (Backyard Ritual)" for its down-and-dirty bass and vocals, "Sweet Baby" (with Lalah Hathaway) for its super-smooth remake, "Bring Me Joy" (featuring George Duke on keyboards and Boney James on sax), and "Brazilian Love Affair" for its carnival swing. No specific comments on CD audio fidelity, mastering, or playback issues.
### Build Quality and Reliability
No user or community mentions of CD build quality (e.g., disc durability, booklet, or packaging) or reliability (e.g., skipping, defects). Results emphasize the album's digital/streaming availability rather than physical media.
### Strengths
- Tender homage to George Duke with loving reinterpretations of his compositions, featuring all-star collaborators like Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Dr. John, Boney James, Jeffrey Osborne, and Lalah Hathaway.
- Strong vocal performances by Jarreau, evoking their decades-long friendship from the 1960s jazz trio collaboration.
- High replay value for fans of smooth jazz, R&B, and Duke's catalog, tagged as a 2014 favorite.
### Weaknesses
No explicit weaknesses noted in reviews; all available commentary is positive, with no criticisms of song selection, performances, or production.
### Overall Reputation
The CD enjoys a positive reputation among jazz enthusiasts as a heartfelt tribute album, celebrated for its nostalgic yet fresh takes on Duke's hits. Professional outlets like Mainly Piano, JazzrockTV, AllMusic, and JazzTimes feature it prominently without negative feedback, positioning it as a must-listen for Jarreau and Duke fans. Lack of broader user reviews limits consensus on physical product aspects.
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English (US)