Marcus Miller
A Night In Monte-Carlo
Concord Records
www.concordmusicgroup.com
By George W. Harris

This just might be the definitive Marcus Miller disc you’ve been
looking for. Don’t get me wrong-all of his other discs have their
moments, but this one, with the addition of L’Orchestre Philharmonique
De Monte-Carlo in a concert format, displays all of his strengths. His
sensational and standard setting bass work is in marvelous display on
the noirishly funky “Blast” and injects a new and very hip strut to
Miles Davis’ “So What” that has the orchestra add extra nuance and
framework in a delicious manner. His bass clarinet is one of the best
in the annals of jazz, and it sounds as rich as melted carmel on “Your
Amazing Grace” and “Strange Fruit” which also include Raul Midon’s
vocals on the former and Herbie Hancock’s piano on the latter. Roy
Hargrove’s brushed brass horn is in excellent form on an embracing “I’m
Glad There Is You” while he gets down and dirty with Midon and Miller
on the “O Mio Babbino Caro/Mas Que Nada” medley that gets the joint
jumpin’. As Miller has learned from his Christian faith, the best
leaders are the servants, and he serves the music and other musicians
well, making them rise to the occasion. A true star shining at his best
here.