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Illusions is a studio album by American keyboardist George Duke released in 1995 on Warner Bros Records. The album reached No. 33 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and No. 3 on both the Billboard Top Jazz Albums and Top Contemporary Jazz Albums charts.

Reception

AllMusic review by Craig Lytle awarded the album 4 stars and stated:”George Duke is truly a music virtuoso. From his many contributions as a producer, arranger, writer, musician, and singer, the California native has laid down one grand effort after another. On this album, first and foremost, Duke utilizes this vast platform to express his musical passions. And in his own ingenious way, he voices his indiscreet discernment on the many virtues and vices of society. This set is eclectic, and at times, audaciously eccentric. Of the 13 selections, four are instrumentals and several are tinted with a sweet R&B coating. However, every number is seasoned with Duke’s indelible jazzy melodies and interludes. The Synclavier-toting keyboardist is supported by an outstanding cast of performers, which includes the Emotions, Marvin Winans, Stanley Clarke, James Ingram, and Dianne Reeves, to name a few.”

Track listing
All tracks are written by George Duke, expect where indicated.

1. “Genesis” 1:34
2. “500 Miles to Go” 5:00
3. “411” 5:10
4. “Love Can Be So Cold” 5:42
5. “Illusions” 5:00
6. “The Simple Things” 5:16
7. “Life and Times” 6:07
8. “Look What We Started Now” 5:55
9. “C’est la Vie” Michael Sembello, Dick Rudolph 4:51
10. “Buffalo Soldiers” 4:50
11. “Money” 5:16
12. “No Greater Love” 4:46
13. “So I’ll Pretend” 7:25

Personnel
Musicians:

George Duke – keyboards (1–12), acoustic piano (13)
Ray Fuller – guitars (2–4, 6–12), rhythm guitar (5)
Michael Landau – lead guitar (5)
Michael Sembello – guitars (9)
Paul Jackson Jr. – guitars (11), acoustic guitar (12)
Larry Kimpel – bass (5, 7, 9, 11, 12)
Stanley Clarke – piccolo bass (5)
Byron Miller – bass (6, 8)
Ray Brown – bass (13)
Dennis Chambers – drums (5, 12)
Leon “Ndugu” Chancler – drums (6, 8)
Herman Matthews – drums (11)
Terri Lyne Carrington – drums (13)
Paulinho da Costa – percussion (6)
Everette Harp – alto saxophone (7), soprano sax solo (9), soprano saxophone (10)
Larry Williams – tenor saxophone (9, 10)
Dan Higgins – tenor saxophone (11)
Kirk Whalum – tenor saxophone (13)
Bill Reichenbach Jr. – trombone (9)
Lew McCreary – trombone (11)
Gary Grant – trumpet (9, 11), flugelhorn (9, 11)
Jerry Hey – trumpet (9, 11), flugelhorn (9, 11)

Vocalists:

George Duke – lead vocal (3–5, 9), backing vocals (3, 9), vocals (6), vocal (7, 11), “ee-yo-ah” backing vocals (9), narration (10)
Alex Brown – vocals (3, 11)
Lynn Davis – vocals (3, 11)
Josie James – vocals (3, 11)
Lori Perry – vocals (3, 6), vocal fills (4), backing vocals (7)
Phil Perry – vocals (3)
Rachelle Ferrell – backing vocals (3, 4, 9), vocal (7)
Jim Gilstrap – backing vocals (3, 4, 9), vocals (6)
Chante Moore – backing vocals (5)
Jeanette Hawes – vocal (7)
Sheila Hutchinson – vocal (7)
Joyce Kennedy – vocal (7)
James Ingram – vocal (7)
Wanda Vaughan – vocal (7)
Mervyn Warren – vocal (7)
Marvin Winans – vocal (7)
Carolyn Perry – backing vocals (7)
Darlene Perry – backing vocals (7)
Sharon Perry – backing vocals (7)
Carl Carwell – “ee-yo-ah” backing vocals (9), vocals (11)
Michael Sembello – “ee-yo-ah” backing vocals (9)
Steve Ford – “money zombie” (11)
Erik Zobler – “money zombie” (11)
Dianne Reeves – vocal (13)

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Released: January 24, 1995
Studio:
Conway Studios (Hollywood, California)
LeGonks West (West Hollywood, California)
Fantasy Studios (Berkeley, California)
O’Henry Sound Studios (Burbank, California)
Length: 1:06:52
Label: Warner Bros.
Producer: George Duke