Genre-Defying Jazz Album On Double LP!
Featuring Trombone Shorty, Kirk Whalum & Take 6!
2019 Grammy Award Nominee:
• Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
Bass great Marcus Miller brings the influence of modern urban music to his trademark sound on his highly-anticipated, genre-defying new album Laid Black. It's been three years since Miller's last album, Afrodeezia, which The New York Times called "vibrant and expressiveÂ… music that frames his playing beautifully."
"Afrodeezia was like a musical voyage through my history," says Miller. "I followed the journey of my ancestors by collaborating with musicians along the African Slave route – musicians from West Africa, North Africa, South America and the Caribbean. With Laid Black, I decided to bring the music right up to the present - using elements from what's happening in urban music today. So you'll hear hip-hop, trap, soul, funk, R&B and jazz on this album. The music is calm but also powerful and funky, drawing on the black musical experience. Laid Black."
Miller recorded most of the nine tracks on Laid Black with his band in a New York studio and also recruited guest artists Trombone Shorty, Kirk Whalum, Take Six, Jonathan Butler, and Belgian singer Selah Sue. Of his band, Miller says: "My guys are incredibly talented. They play everything from bebop to hip-hop. All of the special guests I called have the same vision about jazz, which made it possible to create this mix of music. Oh and if you like bass, there's plenty of serious bass work on this album too!"
Anyone who has listened to Miller's music or experienced his concerts live knows that they are in for quite a treat. Miller's powerful, jazz/funk bass playing is out in full force with this album – pushing boundaries and taking jazz to new levels. Miller, along with his incredible band of young musicians, will be sure to excite, challenge and transport audiences. With his distinctive style—a unique combination of funk, groove, soul and pure technical skills—Miller has been referred to as one of the most significant bass players in jazz, R &B, fusion and soul.
"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." - Jazz Weekly
"The guests on Laid Black add to the record, but Marcus is still the star. His musical sensibility is apparent in these titles. His ability as a multi-instrumentalist (keyboards, synths, Wurlitzer electric piano, organ, clavit, rhythm guitar, saxophone, amongst others) makes his unique compositions come to life, and also makes them nearly impossible to duplicate." - wrti.org, Jazz Album Of The Week
Features:
• Double LP
• Gatefold jacket
Selections:
Side A:
1. Trip Trap
2. Que Sera Sera (feat. Selah Sue)
Side B:
1. 7-TÂ’s (feat. Trombone Shorty)
2. Sublimity 'BunnyÂ’s Dream' (feat. Jonathan Butler)
Side C:
1. Untamed (feat. Peculiar 3)
2. No Limit
3. Someone To Love
Side D:
1. Keep 'Em Runnin
2. Preacher's Kid (feat. Take 6, Kirk Whalum & Alex Han)
Featuring Trombone Shorty, Kirk Whalum & Take 6!
2019 Grammy Award Nominee:
• Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
Bass great Marcus Miller brings the influence of modern urban music to his trademark sound on his highly-anticipated, genre-defying new album Laid Black. It's been three years since Miller's last album, Afrodeezia, which The New York Times called "vibrant and expressiveÂ… music that frames his playing beautifully."
"Afrodeezia was like a musical voyage through my history," says Miller. "I followed the journey of my ancestors by collaborating with musicians along the African Slave route – musicians from West Africa, North Africa, South America and the Caribbean. With Laid Black, I decided to bring the music right up to the present - using elements from what's happening in urban music today. So you'll hear hip-hop, trap, soul, funk, R&B and jazz on this album. The music is calm but also powerful and funky, drawing on the black musical experience. Laid Black."
Miller recorded most of the nine tracks on Laid Black with his band in a New York studio and also recruited guest artists Trombone Shorty, Kirk Whalum, Take Six, Jonathan Butler, and Belgian singer Selah Sue. Of his band, Miller says: "My guys are incredibly talented. They play everything from bebop to hip-hop. All of the special guests I called have the same vision about jazz, which made it possible to create this mix of music. Oh and if you like bass, there's plenty of serious bass work on this album too!"
Anyone who has listened to Miller's music or experienced his concerts live knows that they are in for quite a treat. Miller's powerful, jazz/funk bass playing is out in full force with this album – pushing boundaries and taking jazz to new levels. Miller, along with his incredible band of young musicians, will be sure to excite, challenge and transport audiences. With his distinctive style—a unique combination of funk, groove, soul and pure technical skills—Miller has been referred to as one of the most significant bass players in jazz, R &B, fusion and soul.
"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." - Jazz Weekly
"The guests on Laid Black add to the record, but Marcus is still the star. His musical sensibility is apparent in these titles. His ability as a multi-instrumentalist (keyboards, synths, Wurlitzer electric piano, organ, clavit, rhythm guitar, saxophone, amongst others) makes his unique compositions come to life, and also makes them nearly impossible to duplicate." - wrti.org, Jazz Album Of The Week
Features:
• Double LP
• Gatefold jacket
Selections:
Side A:
1. Trip Trap
2. Que Sera Sera (feat. Selah Sue)
Side B:
1. 7-TÂ’s (feat. Trombone Shorty)
2. Sublimity 'BunnyÂ’s Dream' (feat. Jonathan Butler)
Side C:
1. Untamed (feat. Peculiar 3)
2. No Limit
3. Someone To Love
Side D:
1. Keep 'Em Runnin
2. Preacher's Kid (feat. Take 6, Kirk Whalum & Alex Han)
