1985 George Duke – Thief In The Night

Thief in the Night is the eighteenth studio album by American keyboardist and record producer George Duke. It was released in 1985 through Elektra Records, making it his first release on the label. Recording sessions for the album took place at Le Gonks West in West Hollywood, California. Duke played various keyboard instruments on the album, including Synclavier II, Memorymoog, Fender Rhodes, Sequential Circuits Prophet-5, clavinet, Yamaha P F15 and Minimoog. The album features contributions from Lynn Davis, Paul Jackson Jr, Paulinho Da Costa, Robert Brookins and Deniece Williams among others.

The album peaked at number 183 on the Billboard 200 and number 52 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Its lead single, a title track “Thief in the Night”, reached number 37 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, number 21 on the Dance Club Songs, and number 89 in the UK Singles Chart. Its second single “I Surrender” and a promotional single “Love Mission” did not chart.

Tracks

1  I Surrender (David Batteau; Don Freeman; James Ingram) 03:33
2  Thief In The Night (George Duke) 04:47
3  Remembering The Sixties (Stevie Wonder; George Duke) 04:10
4  We’re Supposed To Have Fun (Tony Haynes; Robert Brookins) 04:23
5  Ride (George Duke) 03:56
6  Love Mission (Len Ron Hanks; Brian Potter) 04:24
7  Jam (George Duke) 05:11
8  Why (George Duke) 04:10
9  La La (George Duke) 03:35

Musicians

1 I Surrender

Bass Louis Johnson
Drums Steve Ferrone
Guitar Paul Jackson Jr
Keyboards George Duke
Percussion Paulinho Da Costa
Vocals  George Duke


2 Thief In The Night

Drums (Linn) George Duke
Guitar Paul Jackson Jr
Keyboards George Duke
Effects Mick Guzauski
Percussion Paulinho Da Costa
Background Vocals Lynn Davis
Background Vocals Lena Sunday
Background Vocals George Duke
Vocals  George Duke


3 Remembering The Sixties

Cymbals Ricky Lawson
Hi-hat Ricky Lawson
Toms Ricky Lawson
Guitar Paul Jackson Jr
Keyboards George Duke
Melodica George Duke
Background Vocals Lynn Davis
Background Vocals Lena Sunday
Background Vocals Alice Murrell
Background Vocals Carl Carwell
Background Vocals Robert Brookins
Background Vocals George Duke
Vocals  George Duke


4 We’re Supposed To Have Fun

Bass Louis Johnson
Drums Steve Ferrone
Guitar Paul Jackson Jr
Guitar Charles Fearing
Keyboards George Duke
Background Vocals Robert Brookins
Background Vocals Carl Carwell
Background Vocals George Duke
Background Vocals Lynn Davis
Background Vocals Petsey Powell
Vocals  George Duke


5 Ride

Tom Tom JR Robinson
Drums (Linn) George Duke
Guitar Paul Jackson Jr
Keyboards George Duke
Effects Mick Guzauski
Vocals  George Duke


6 Love Mission

Guitar Paul Jackson Jr
Keyboards George Duke
Background Vocals Lynn Davis
Background Vocals Lena Sunday
Background Vocals Carl Carwell
Background Vocals Deniece Williams
Background Vocals George Duke
Vocals  George Duke


7 Jam

Drums (Linn) George Duke
Guitar Chuck Gentry
Keyboards George Duke
Effects Mick Guzauski
Percussion Paulinho Da Costa
Background Vocals George Duke
Background Vocals Carl Carwell
Background Vocals Robert Brookins
Background Vocals Lynn Davis
Background Vocals Lena Sunday
Background Vocals Shirley Jones


8 Why

Drums Steve Ferrone
Guitar Paul Jackson Jr
Keyboards George Duke
Background Vocals George Duke
Vocals  Jon Fiore


9 La La

Drums (Linn) George Duke
Guitar Paul Jackson Jr
Keyboards George Duke
Percussion Paulinho Da Costa
Background Vocals Deniece Williams
Background Vocals Lynn Davis
Background Vocals Carl Carwell
Background Vocals Paulinho Da Costa
Background Vocals George Duke
Vocals  George Duke

Liner Notes

Producer – George Duke
Engineer (Assistant) – Mitch Gibson, Steve Schmidt, Rick Clifford
Engineer (Additional) – Erik Zobler, Mitch Gibson
Mastered By Brian Gardner
Mixed By – Tommy Vicari
Mixed By – Mick Guzauski (Tracks 2, 5, 7)
Recorded By – Tommy Vicari, Mick Guzauski
Technician – Brent Averill

Art Direction, Photography – Carol Friedman
Cover (Concept) – Vigon Seireeni
Cover (Photography) – Chris Callis
Design – JoDee Stringham

Mastered At Bernie Grundman Mastering
Mixed At Lionshare Studios
Mixed At Conway Studios
Recorded At Le Gonks West
Phonographic Copyright Elektra/Asylum Records
Copyright Elektra/Asylum Records