28 Sep
The Ozell Tapes: The Official Bootleg by Marcus Miller
- Written by Michael Coston
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Clearly deserving of a Grammy win for his most recent release "M2: Power & Grace" Marcus Miller follows up with a simply outstanding 2-CD live recording compilation set entitled "The Ozell Tapes". If you are familiar with any of Marcus Miller’s previous releases like "Tales" and "The Sun Don’t Lie", let alone his bewildering resume of film scores and hit songs for so many of today’s most popular artists, then this is the needle in the haystack, the blue door in the back of the club, the big fat tax refund delivered unexpectedly early. It’s live, it’s raw and it’s funky to the core as Marcus shows us uncharted levels of bass playing on display.Sorted from hundreds of live performances over the course of his recent 2002 International tour Marcus Miller has assembled the best takes from the lot, uncut and direct from the sound board, into a stunningly high-quality 2-CD package loaded with many of his most popular compositions like "Panther" and "Scoop" as well as a medley of his legendary Miles Davis pieces like "Hannibal, Amandla and Tutu". You’ll also hear a few interpreted covers of classic standards by Coltrane, Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway, David Byrne and George Gershwin among other memorable and timeless works.Also unique to the recordings are the band itself. Long-time drummer acquaintance Poogie Bell sets the grooves with Marcus, and fusion guitarist Dean Brown creates a colorful synergy around the unit as well. Also noteworthy are great solos captured by Roger Byam and Patches Stewart on horns. On top of this we are treated by featured vocal performances from the gifted Lalah Hathaway who not only assertively delivers her vocabulary but creatively expresses her passages through the songs.If you’re the type of listener that appreciates outstanding talent and musicianship as well as music that emotionally inspires and informs then this is definitely a "must have" for your collection.The scary thing: I believe Marcus Miller’s best stuff is yet to come still....
Additional Info
- Artist / Group Name: Marcus Miller
- CD Title: The Ozell Tapes: The Official Bootleg
- Genre: Contemporary Jazz / Modern
- Year Released: 2002
- Record Label: 3 Deuces Records
- Tracks: Disc 1: Power, So What (Miles), Lonnie’s Lament (Coltrane), Cousin John, Scoop, I Love’s You Porgy (Gershwin), Panther. Disc 2: 3 Deuces, Your Amazing grace, Nikki’s Groove, When Your Life Was Low, Burnin’ Down The House, People Make The World Go ‘Round, Killing Me Softly, Miles/Marcus Medley.
- Musicians: Marcus Miller (basses, bass clarinet, soprano sax), Dean Brown (guitars), Poogie Bell (drums), Roger Byam (saxes, flute), Michael “Patches” Stewart (trumpet), Bruce Flowers (keyboards), Leroy Taylor (keyboards), Lalah Hathaway (featured vocals).
- Label Website: http://www.3deucesrecords.com
- Rating: Five Stars
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
