Afrodeezia
Marcus Miller · 2015
65 min · 11 tracks · funk
A vibrant fusion of jazz, funk, and world rhythms that celebrates cultural heritage while showcasing virtuosic musicianship.
Top tracks — play these first
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B’s River — This track features intricate bass lines intertwined with rich horn arrangements, exemplifying Miller's masterful command of rhythm and melody.
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We Were There — A powerful homage to the African diaspora, this track combines soulful grooves with evocative instrumentation that highlights cultural storytelling.
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I Can’t Breathe — This poignant piece addresses urgent social issues with a strong emotional depth, utilizing dynamic shifts in tempo and mood to enhance its message.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong musicianship and thematic depth but has some unevenness in cohesion.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements, blending narrative with instrumental sections to enhance thematic depth.
- The running time includes interludes that serve as transitions, allowing for shifts in mood and style without disrupting the flow.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady grooves for relaxed evenings
- cultural celebration through rhythmic flow
- engaging interlude for reflective pauses
- vibrant energy for social gatherings
- immersive listening for focused moments
Maybe skip if you
- seeking quick, catchy singles
- prefer high-energy, frantic pace
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2015, Afrodeezia marked Marcus Miller's return to the forefront of contemporary jazz after a decade-long hiatus from recording as a leader. This album was significant as it showcased his evolution as an artist, blending traditional African influences with jazz and funk elements, following his work on various high-profile projects and collaborations.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Victor Wooten· Stanley Clarke· Herbie Hancock
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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I Can’t Breathe
The chorus introduces a repeated phrase that escalates in intensity, emphasizing the urgency of the message while driving the song forward.
This repetition not only reinforces the emotional weight of the lyrics but also mirrors the escalating tensions surrounding social justice themes in contemporary society.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Hylife 6:59
- 2 B’s River 6:49
- 3 Preacher’s Kid (Song for William H) 5:46
- 4 We Were There 6:49
- 5 Papa Was a Rolling Stone 6:07
- 6 I Still Believe I Hear (Je crois entendre encore) 7:06
- 7 Son of Macbeth 6:12
- 8 Prism (interlude) 0:30
- 9 Xtraordinary 6:14
- 10 Water Dancer 7:28
- 11 I Can’t Breathe 5:09
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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