For a musician that has nothing to prove, Marcus Miller keeps p roving something with each release. This one, his strongest yet, is a perfect mix of lyrical and rhythmic jazz and displays his bass playing as well as his mastery of the bass clarinet.
There are various moods and mixes on these songs, with a basic unit of Louis Cato/dr, Brett Williams/p, Adam Agati/g, Alex Han/as and Lee Hogans/tp mixing melodious themes with irresistible funky R&B as on “Hylife” and the sleek “Bâs River.” Some black church choir sounds are felt on the meditative “Preacher’s Kid” with Lalah Hathaway’s voice and Robert Glasper’s keyboards, and an Andalusian lilt creates romance during the melancholy “I Still Believe I Hear.” Miller’s bass clarinet gurgles gloriously on the lovely “Xtraordinary” while his bass delivers hip riffs on the sleek “Water Dancer.” The closing “I Can’t Breathe” is a danceable jig which includes some rapping by Chuck D, rounding out an extraordinary set from an extraordinarily gifted artist. Guest appearances by Keb Mo, Etienne Charles and Ambrose Akinmusire simply reflect the panorama of sounds this guy can relate to. Another trophy for the shelf.
Blue Note Records
www.marcusmiller.com