Marcus
Marcus Miller · 2008
70 min · 14 tracks · funk
A vibrant blend of funk grooves, smooth jazz melodies, and intricate bass work that showcases Miller's virtuosity and eclectic influences.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Higher Ground — This track creatively reinterprets Stevie Wonder's classic, blending funk rhythms with Miller’s signature bass lines while featuring engaging horn arrangements.
-
→
Lost Without U — A smooth ballad that highlights Miller's lyrical bass phrasing and emotional depth, showcasing his ability to convey feeling through instrumental music.
-
→
Funk Joint — This track is a pure celebration of funk, featuring lively rhythms and complex grooves that exemplify Miller's mastery of the genre.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends funk and jazz with strong bass work, though its cohesion is affected by the interlude and spoken word tracks.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track, 'Blast', that sets a fast tempo, while the subsequent tracks vary between upbeat grooves and slower, more melodic pieces.
- Several tracks feature intricate bass solos that showcase Miller's technical skill, particularly in 'Funk Joint' and 'Jean Pierre'.
- The interlude 'Pluck' serves as a brief pause in the flow, creating a contrast before returning to more rhythmically complex compositions.
- The final two tracks include a spoken word piece that shifts the mood significantly, providing an unexpected conclusion to the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
5/10
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
- dynamic journey with interludes
- vibrant grooves for socializing
- wave-like pacing for exploration
- rich melodic textures to savor
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer short standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2008, Marcus marked a significant moment in Marcus Miller's career as it was his first studio album after a hiatus since 1996's Tales. The album came during his continued evolution from a celebrated session bassist to a prominent solo artist, highlighting his skills not only as a performer but also as a composer and producer.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Victor Wooten· Stanley Clarke· Herbie Hancock
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Blast 5:43
- 2 Funk Joint 5:12
- 3 Free 5:00
- 4 Higher Ground 5:10
- 5 Milky Way 5:36
- 6 Pluck (interlude) 3:19
- 7 Lost Without U 4:41
- 8 'Cause I Want You 3:12
- 9 Ooh 4:00
- 10 When I Fall in Love 5:23
- 11 Strum 5:41
- 12 Jean Pierre 6:15
- 13 What Is Hip? 6:02
- 14 Lost Without U (Spoken Word) 5:34
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.