Miller, Marcus
Telarc, 2003, CD
Instrument: MALE VOCAL
Issue: 9.2
Jazz Ruler Type: funk
Performance: 5
Sound: 4
Score: 
O’s Notes: The masterful funky bassist, composer and producer Marcus Miller gives us the full effect with this live 2CD set. And indeed it is truly a lively treat. He starts out hot with “Power” followed by funky new arrangements of classics from Miles: “So What” and Coltrane: “Lonnie’s Lament”. Marcus plays a lot of his own tracks as well anchoring the bottom with deep bass as well as playing melodies and injecting memorable R&B segments like the “Theme From Shaft” from time to time. Miller surprises us with some work on bass clarinet and sax, notably on “Amazing Grace” where guest vocalist Lalah Hathaway makes her first appearance. She also sings on “When Your Life Was Low”, “Killing Me Softly” and “People Make The World Go ‘Round” with a mild reggae twist. But this is Miller’s album, bass laden and funky cool, all the way, sure to get you going.
