Duke Jupiter – Sweet Cheeks / Taste The Night (2025)

Reissue specialists Bad Reputation Records are releasing for the first time on CD the 2 very early DUKE JUPITER LP’s, Sweet Cheeks ’78 + Taste The Night ’79, into a 2-disc pack featuring both albums remastered.
In the early years Duke Jupiter played original Rock /R&B instrumentals, which featured their signature dual lead-guitar sound when Don Maracle joined in the band in 1974. The band was playing clubs in the Upstate NY area and gradually expanded their territory.
With the release of ”Sweet Cheeks”, their first album (1978) on Mercury Records, Duke started touring with national acts ranging from ZZ Top, Stevie Ray Vaughan, David Bowie, Robert Palmer, BB King, to Toto, Huey Lewis and the News, Reo Speedwagon, Foreigner, Blue Oyster Cult, and countless others.

”Sweet Cheeks” is Duke Jupiter’s 1st album (1978), produced by Chuck Leavell, formerly with The Allman Brothers, who, at that time, had a band called Sea Level. Chuck really hit the big-time when he became the keyboard player for the Rolling Stones, as well as pianist on many projects including Eric Clapton’s Unplugged CD. Duke’s 1st album has a Southern influence mixed into their classy rock sound. Maybe because it was recorded at Capricorn Studios in Macon, GA, had some of the Allman Bros. Band members on it.
The next year, “Taste The Night”, Duke Jupiter’s 2nd album (1979) with Mercury Records, was recorded in NYC and produced by Glen Kolotkin. Glen’s engineering discography is a who’s who of the 60s and 70s era including artists such as Journey, Santana, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and more.
“Taste The Night” was huge step forward for the band, with stronger songwriting and more dynamic instrumentation. There’s some awesome bluesy classic rockers into this LP.

Tracks:

CD1 – 1978 – Sweet Cheeks
01 – When The Ladies Get Down
02 – You Know That’s Why I Love You
03 – Every Day’s Voice
04 – Save The Fox
05 – Days Between Us
06 – Trouble In Paradise
07 – Bring Me Back Alive
08 – I Wish I Knew (Je Voudrais Savoir)
09 – Saxophone
10 – Long Time Ago
11 – Sweet Cheeks

CD2 – 1979 – Taste The Night
01 – Like Our First Night
02 – Taste The Night
03 – Satin Sheets
04 – When I’m With You
05 – Poppy
06 – The Ballad Of Louie And Guido
07 – I Can’t Forget You
08 – Let It Be With You
09 – We’re All Waiting

Personnel:

Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Greg Walker
Guitar – Don Maracle
Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Marshall Styler
Backing Vocals, Percussion – Chuck Leavell
Bass, Backing Vocals – George Barajas
Drums, Percussion – Earl Jetty, Dave Hanlon