Track Listing

1. Introduction
2. Bruce Lee
3. La Villette
4. Behind The Smile
5. Frankenstein
6. Moonlight Sonata
7. Boogie On Reggae Woman
8. Paris (Interlude)
9. Silver Rain
10. Make Up My Mind
11. Girls and Boys
12. Sophisticated Lady
13. Power of Soul
14. Afterword (Outro)
15. The Lord’s Prayer

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #82911 in Music
• Released on: 2005-02-28
• Number of discs: 1

Album Description
Silver Rain includes seven original Marcus Miller compositions including "Bruce Lee", an homage to the martial arts master which captures Lee’s energetic spirit and features alto saxophonist Gerald Albright known for his work with Anita Baker and Quincy Jones. Amongst the many guest artists is the amazing Kirk Whalum, a musician who has an impressive solo career and who was featured on The Sun Don’t Lie. Since that time Marcus looked for an opportunity to work with him again, but never found it until now. Kirk who infuses his jazz with gospel overtones is the latest in a great line of Texas tenors that include Illinois Jacquet and Arnett Cobb. Gregoire Maret, a young harmonica player who works with Me’Shell Ndegeocello, Pat Metheny and Cassandra Wilson has also lent his incredible talents to the music of Silver Rain. Kenny Garrett, who has recorded and toured extensively with Marcus is back again to play an incredible solo on a cover of Prince’s "Girls and ! Boys". This tune also features the fantastic Macy Gray. In her voice you hear the character of both Tina Turner and Billie Holiday, but Macy has a vocal style that is uniquely hers.

From the Artist
Following the success of bassist extraordinaire Marcus Miller’s M2 and his live double album The Ozell Tapes, 3 Deuces Records proudly announces the release of Miller’s sixth studio CD. If you are familiar with any of Miller’s previous releases like Tales and The Sun Don’t Lie, let alone his impressive resume of film scores and hit songs he’s produced and written for so many of today’s popular artists, you will have come to understand his ability to create music that emotionally inspires and informs. Silver Rain is no exception.

Of course you’ll find Miller’s musicianship as an electric bassist astounding and as always he delights, amazes and amuses with his mastery of a host of other instruments. For Europe only he’s included a special version of Duke Ellington’s "Sophisticated Lady" on which you’ll hear the inimitable Marcus Miller bass clarinet featured.

According to Miller, "The thing that I think has kept jazz alive for so long is that it has always borrowed from the mainstream music world. Jazz musicians have traditionally presented people with a different way to listen to their favorite tunes. The marriage between jazz improvisation and popular songs has always been magical, like Miles Davis’ recording of "Someday My Prince Will Come" or John Coltrane’s "My Favorite Things".

About the Artist
Marcus Miller, winner of the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album of 2001, was born in Brooklyn in 1959 and raised in Jamaica, New York. Miller spent years as a top call New York studio musician, working with Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, Grover Washington Jr., Bob James and David Sanborn, among others. He has appeared as a bassist on over 400 records including recordings by artists as diverse as Joe Sample, McCoy Tyner, Mariah Carey, Bill Withers, Elton John, Bryan Ferry, Frank Sinatra, and LL Cool J. In 1981, he joined his boyhood idol Miles Davis and spent two years on the road with the fabled jazzman. "He didn't settle for anything mediocre," Miller recalls. "And this helped me develop my style. I learned from him that you have to be honest about who you are and what you do. If you follow that, you won't have problems."

Customer Reviews

A Classic
Marcus Miller is a legend. I truly respect his playing and this is probably my favourite of his album offerings. This is a real classic that showcases his awesome playing, very inspirational. Some great interaction with the other instruments and some superb writing/arranging!

I wish he would record with less synth though (especially the drums), would have really given it more edge. But that said this is an album that you will not get tired of!!!!! Buy it, buy it now!

This guy IS the messiah
This album is in a word incredible.
Everything on it is just so easy to listen to.
All the tunes have got strong features that make them stand out.

I am an avid multi instrumentalist, and can say that this album is just packed with talent. It oozes funky licks, cool tricks and some awesome arranging skills.

The main reason for buying this album was that I wanted some good bass to listen to that wasn't so cheesy it made me feel ill. Victor Wooten being the main culprit. (unless victa is live and jamming he just isn't worth the money)

Don't let any bad reviews on this album put you off.

It is more than deserving of getting a solid 10/10

Lets dance in the Silver Rain
I bought the album about a month before going to see Marcus promote it live on stage. It kinda gave you a greater insight and understanding into the thinking and writing that went into creating each track.

I think it's a good album which every time I listen to it reminds me of the concert.

The tracks which stand out for me are Frankenstein, Bruce Lee, Moonlight Sonata, Boogie on Reggae Woman and Silver Rain. Although my copy has Joey Kibble on the title track the version featuring Eric Clapton just pips it for me.

As I said earlier it's a good album, not his best but should be in the collection of every Marcus Miller fan as I'm sure there's at least one stand out track on it to satisfy your rhythm buds