100MPH said:

I know what you mean man George Duke is the MASTER...
I've seen him not enough times at the North Sea Jazz Festival in my hometown man...


You will be amazed at the genious (or logic) of most of his stuff...


It's magic isn't it?

Neversin.

My parents, definitely: They always have had a thing for good, well-crafted, well-sung music. My dad used to bring home records for me to convert to tape on my stereo -- he did this more than just buying cassettes ( I love that man). And, we'd just talk about music -- and, often, I'd joke with him about something I didn't like. But, he -- especially in the car -- liked to listen to Stevie Wonder, Chuck Mangione, Billy Joel, Bob James, etc.

And, he'd bring home Sade albums or David Sanborn/Joe Sample records with Al Jarreau or *gulp* Kenny G. But, with the exception of Kenny G -- whose live band in the 1990s was tight, by the way -- the artists introduced me to instrumental mastery. So, couple that with the Prince weirdness I'd been listening to since 10, I entered high school with a more discriminating ear -- I think -- than my demographic was being given credit for.

And, my friends -- also musicians -- were the same. So, we were hipping each other to Hendrix and GN'R and Herbie Hancock and the Winans and Edwin Hawkins while also digging TTD, MJ, Guy and Poison and Steve Vai...

By the time I reached college, I was consuming vast quantities of contemporary jazz, learning about Jaco Pastorius, Marcus Miller, Birelli Lagrene, funky gospel and classical music.

So, by the time I'd graduated college and entered the world of journalism, I had a phat library and was constantly reading reviews off the Associated Press. I've made more purchases based on them (and, at the time, MTV -- I still credit them for hipping me to Dave Matthews, Primus and Radiohead), that I actually lament not getting the wire service anymore.

But, at some point, and I'm reaching that point, you get tired of buying new music. So, nowadays, if it's not a favorite artist, I don't buy much.

I would have to say myself, even though my Grandfather played the sax and listened to jazz all the time, as I kid I just couldn't get into it.

Me and my brother used to watch timelifes oldies compilation commercials faithfully. Our favorite was the 7 or so seconds of Jackie Wilson singing "Lonely Teardrops." One time I was asking my mom if she remembered when we used to do that and it sort of triggered my need to go buy any Jackie Wilson albums I could find.

Michael Jackson and certain radio stations also played a big part in my interest in music. I used to listen to the classic r&b stations all day waiting for them to play his songs. I'd hear some songs I liked from other artists and sooner or later I'd go buy their albums along with MJ's. So now I'm a softcore going to be hardcore 70s funk and soul fan. I say going to be because I've really only scratched the surface of 70s music. And through the same method, this time looking for soul, I've discovered an interest in jazz...finally I can discuss, borrow, and apperciate my Grandaddy's kind of music

K-Mart. Blue Light Special.