Put It In The Proper Context,People!
Andre' S Grindle | Bangor,ME. | 08/23/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For fans of the rather ponderous jazz-funk of Marcus Miller's albums from 'The Sun Don't Lie' on this CD will not be
for you!This was recored when Marcus was still playing for
Luther Vandross,Aretha Franklin and others.He hadn't yet got
his slap fretless bass playing down to a science yet but on
uptempo tunes like the title track he's able to bring lean,
synthesized funk grooves right up to the table.And the album
has plenty of that kind of music,with a few slow ballads to cap
things off.The trouble is that Marcus's high-pitched,Kashif-like vocal style isn't up to the task of romantic balladry-HE
should have had Vandross sing those but he does throw in a tune written with Luther.The closing track "Could It Be You" is
closer to a jazzy sound then what else is here,with a nice smooth bass solo that makes the tune one of the best in his
songbook!His self-titled follow up (not on CD in this country)
is a better example of his songwriting while still in an R&B
context but 'Suddenly' doesn't deserve the ribbing it always
gets-it's an excellent R&B/funk album with plenty of tight,
bass heavy electro funk grooves to keep fans of early 80's
funk pretty happy!"
This is rare, rare. Deserving of the double 5-star rating.
Andre' S Grindle | 08/27/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"You see, Marcus Miller has always been a multi-track, multi-instrumentalist wunderkind on the level of Prince or Stevie Wonder--not many people were aware if this. Miles Davis was. David Sanborn was. Luther Vandross was. Ro Flack was--in fact, on this album Marcus recorded a cut Roberta used in the soundtrack to the Richard Pyror/Cicily Tyson vehicle "Bustin' Loose". "Lovin' You" has some thumping bass work I am still in awe of....and, no disrespect to Ms. Flack, Miller's version is 'way Phunkay. Marcus' vocals may not have been accepted back then--'83/'84--(I guess many fans were looking for the Vandross smoothness coming from the collaborator of many of Vandross's tunes)-- but to listen to Marcus on this album nowadays, his vocals are as compelling as anyone who's on the Top 10 list today especially on the slow jam "Much Too Much" and the title track "Suddenly". A rare treat for Marcus' jazz/funk fans."
His 1st effort
Adrian Justice | El Cerrito, CA United States | 07/14/2004
(1 out of 5 stars)
"If you're expecting the same type of funky grooves on Marcus Miller's current album DO NOT CONSIDER THIS ONE! This I believe was his 1st album. I think he was trying to sing on this album? Thank GOD He changed up.This was before he started playing reeds in addition to the Bass Guitar(For those who don't know the Sax & Clarinet were his primary instruments he picked up the bass as an adult believe it or not)He was an up and coming sideman at the time of this recording.I can best describe this album as "Shockingly Awful" For early Marcus Miller I recommend Miles Davis "Tutu" where he plays all the music except for Miles' Trumpet"
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1