MARCUS MILLER - Renaissance (2012) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Marcus Miller's career as a sideman, composer, and producer in jazz, R&B, and pop has been prolific. He's continuously pushed boundaries in order to blur and integrate genres. Renaissance is his first studio recording in five years (Free was released in 2007 in Europe and Japan, then re-released in the United States as Marcus in 2008). Renaissance's title reflects the idea that music needs a rebirth to keep up with the creative possibilities afforded by technology, and to reflect the ever-shifting, politically charged cultural landscape. The manner in which he posits this is anything but theoretical, however. Renaissance may be the most emotive offering in Miller's catalog. Groove and firepower are near constants here. Jazz-funk, R&B, rock, post-bop, club-jazz, and more come together in a wide-ranging collection that is deeply focused and expertly sequenced. Using a revolving cast whose core is alto saxophonist Alex Han, guitarist Adam Agati, and keyboardist Federico Gonzalez Peña, guests include trumpeters Maurice Brown and Sean Jones, organist Bobby Sparks, and more. Things get off to a skittering start on "Detroit," with Miller's bass riding heard over a knotty jazz-funk groove. Louis Cato's drums accent breaks in key sections, the souled-out horns highlight the choruses, and Agati's guitar nastily accents it all while Han's alto solo is a monster. The cover of "Slipping Into Darkness" melds Kris Bowers' piano and Sparks' organ with hand percussion, both trumpets, and Miller's funky reggae groove. The melody accents syncopation on the backbeat before weaving Bob Marley's and Peter Tosh's "Get Up, Stand Up" in as a logical yet surprising extension. Bowers' knotty piano solo illustrates the wide possibilities for jazz improvisation. "Jekyll & Hyde" combines alternate passages of elegant, soulful contemporary jazz with riff-driven rock as Agati and Miller complement and push one another. "Revelation" is a rumbling modal jam with funky highlights and fine soloing by Han. "Gorée (Go-ray)," with Miller on bass clarinet, is a lilting, post-bop ballad with lovely melodic interplay; it was inspired by his visit to the House of Slaves on Gorée Island, his feelings standing inside and reflecting on the horror of the slave experience. It's emotional quality contains numerous dimensions. It is a meditation on how the ends of the lives of these slaves as they knew them also birthed of the African-American experience, one of continued struggle that culturally evolved and transfromed into diverse musical forms that bore witness to tragedy but also triumph as the art created from this history has brought joy and meaning to individuals and societies across globe. Its tenderness and equanimity tells the whole story. "Cee-Tee-Eye," while a thoroughly contemporary jazz tune, pays excellent tribute to the inspiration of Creed Taylor's label. The set closer, a simple reading of "I'll Be There," showcases the bassist's gift for lyricism and understatement. Renaissance is a lofty title, but the inspired performances Miller puts on offer get very close to delivering on the ambition it promises. by Thom Jurek   
Tracklist:
1 Detroit 5:44
Alto Saxophone – Alex Han
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – Louis Cato
Guitar – Adam Agati
Mixed By – David Isaac
Piano, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Kris Bowers
Trumpet – Maurice Brown  
Written-By – Marcus Miller
2 Redemption 6:09
Alto Saxophone – Alex Han
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – Louis Cato
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Frederico Gonzalez Peña
Guitar – Adam Rogers 
Mixed By – David Isaac
Trumpet – Sean Jones 
Written-By – Marcus Miller
3 February 4:15
Acoustic Guitar – Adam Rogers 
Alto Saxophone – Alex Han
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums, Djembe – Louis Cato
Mixed By – David Isaac
Piano – Frederico Gonzalez Peña
Trumpet – Maurice Brown 
Written-By – Marcus Miller
4 Slippin' Into Darkness 9:15
Alto Saxophone – Alex Han
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – Louis Cato
Guitar – Adam Rogers 
Mixed By – David Isaac
Organ – Bobby Sparks
Percussion – Ramon Yslas
Piano – Kris Bowers
Trumpet – Sean Jones 
Trumpet [Muted] – Maurice Brown 
Written-By – Morris DeWayne Dickerson, Charles Miller, Harold Ray Brown, Howard E. Scott, Lee Oskar, LeRoy L. Jordan, Sylvester Allen
5 Setembro (Brazilian Wedding Song) 6:38
Alto Saxophone – Alex Han
Bass [Fretless], Bass Clarinet, Double Bass [Acoustic Bass] – Marcus Miller
Drums – Louis Cato
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Piano – Frederico Gonzalez Peña
Featuring – Gretchen Parlato, Rubén Blades
Mixed By – David Isaac
Percussion – Ramon Yslas
Vocals – Gretchen Parlato, Rubén Blades
Written-By – Gilson Peranzzetta, Ivan Lins
6 Jekyll & Hyde 6:30
Alto Saxophone – Alex Han
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – Louis Cato
Guitar – Adam Rogers 
Mixed By – David Isaac
Organ – Bobby Sparks
Piano – Frederico Gonzalez Peña
Trumpet – Sean Jones 
Written-By – Marcus Miller
7 Interlude: Nocturnal Mist 1:16
Alto Saxophone – Alex Han
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – Louis Cato
Guitar – Adam Agati
Mixed By – David Isaac
Percussion – Ramon Yslas
Piano – Frederico Gonzalez Peña
Written-By – Luther "Mano" Hanes
8 Revelation 4:46
Alto Saxophone – Alex Han
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – Louis Cato
Guitar – Adam Agati
Mixed By – David Isaac
Percussion – Ramon Yslas
Piano – Frederico Gonzalez Peña
Written-By – Marcus Miller
9 Mr. Clean 5:01
Alto Saxophone – Alex Han
Bass – Marcus Miller
Clavinet, Organ – Bobby Sparks
Drums – Louis Cato
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Frederico Gonzalez Peña
Guitar – Adam Rogers 
Mixed By – Bruce Miller
Trumpet – Sean Jones 
Written-By – Weldon Irvine, Jr.
10 Goreé (Go-ray) 5:38
Acoustic Guitar – Adam Rogers 
Alto Saxophone – Alex Han
Bass Clarinet, Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – Louis Cato
Mixed By – Taka Honda
Piano – Frederico Gonzalez Peña
Written-By – Marcus Miller
11 CEE-TEE-EYE 7:39
Alto Saxophone – Alex Han
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums, Congas – Louis Cato
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Kris Bowers
Guitar – Adam Agati, Paul Jackson, Jr.
Mixed By – David Isaac
Trumpet – Maurice Brown 
Written-By – Marcus Miller
12 Tightrope 5:46
Alto Saxophone – Alex Han
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – Louis Cato
Guitar – Adam Agati
Mixed By – Taka Honda
Piano – Kris Bowers
Vocals – Dr. John
Written-By – Antwan Patton, Charles Delbert Joseph II, Janelle Monáe Robinson, Nathaniel Irvin III
13 I'll Be There 3:48
Bass – Marcus Miller
Mixed By – Taka Honda
Written-By – Berry Gordy, Jr., Bob West, Freddy Wexler, Hal Davis, Willie Hutchinson