Marcus Miller is one of the few artists that can cross the worlds of funk, hip hop and jazz and satisfy all audiences. His latest album is a rubber necking affair that will get your head bobbing to the grooves, making it easy to overlook that this guy essentially invented the bass licks which dominate this soulful release. While doing so musically, he takes you on a journey that his ancestors did while, on the route as slaves, eventually lead to physical and spiritual freedom.
His fingers dance the boogaloo along with horns on pieces such as “Trip Trap” and the urban R&B “Keep ‘Em Running” as well as the sleek “No Limit” that has his thick strings lead like Fred Astair. A gorgeous take of “Someone To Love” with gentle piano and drums has a rich touch of gospel, while “Preacher’s Kid” gives you a Sunday Sermon on bass clarinet with guests Take 6 and guest saxists Kirk Whalum and Alex Han. No Miller album would be complete without guest appearances, and the leader doesn’t disappoint; Selah Sue adds wispy voice to a hip read of “Que Sera Sera,” Johnathan Butler brings in earnest voice and guitar work to the cantering “Sublimity ‘Bunny’s Dream’” and Trombone Shorty gets things into a swampy mood with his trombone on “7-Ts.” A master blaster!
Blue Note Records