Customer Reviews

Free

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The multi-talented bassist, composer and producer Marcus Miller is back with another slammin' album. I mean it really doesn't get any funkier than this when it comes to playin' the bass. Marcus comes through like a bad "Plucker-Mother" on this project, which features orginal new material and covers of some old music favorites.

The album starts off with "Blast", a super-charged funk jam with lots of bass, backed by a blaring horn section which instantly makes you think of an HBCU marching band. Then the funk doesn't stop with "Funk Joint", featuring Patches Stewart playing a muted trumpet to jazz up the funk a little. On the next track, Marcus slows the pace down a little with "Free", a remake of the popular Denise Williams song from back in the day featuring Corinne Bailey Rae on vocals. Not a great remake as Corinne doesn't really add anything new or special to the song, she just sings it CBR style - not bad, and not great either, just plain.

Then we jump right back to the funk on "Strum" followed by "Milky Way" and "Pluck", which is a straight up jam session with more funky bass. The tempo slows down once again on "When I Fall In Love", a nice easy listening tune featuring Marcus on the bass clarinet (I love this instrument). Next comes "Jean Pierre", a cool Miles Davis composition with bass and harmonica trading lead solos. A very nice tune indeed.

The last tracks are two more remakes of classic music from the '70's - Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground", which is probably the best cover of this song that I've ever heard. Once again, Marcus really funks it up hard on this jam, and I'm sure that even Stevie would be envious. The album closes with "What Is Hip?", a cover of a tune made popular by the horn group "Tower Of Power", featuring the great David Sanborn on alto sax. What can I say? - just plain outstanding.

The only thing I don't really care for on this album is that it goes into over-kill with the harmonica solos on almost every song. I'm not too crazy about the harmonica on a funk-jazz album. Anyway, if you like funky bass, and if you're a die-hard Marcus Miller fan, you should definitely get this CD. You won't be disappointed.

This as all of marcus's cd has a lot to offer. The first cut will appeal to all of the Super Funksters out there with a middle east twang. A hard hitter.The tittle track features Corine Bailey-Rae doing a cover from the 70's. All tracks show marcus's ability to produce hard pounding thumping music that pleases the soul. My favorite cut, besides the 1st. is a cover of "What is hip" which is an old tower of power tune. This has people talking all over the internet. It also features David Sanborn on sax which is a grand re-uniteing of friends and musicians from his past. I couldn't wait for the u.s. release so i ordered mine from overseas. I reccommend this to all millerheads and to those just getting into the marcus miller scene. Definatly worth the investment.

I had the privilege of doing some engineering on this recording with Marcus and his crew. I've done a lot of bass albums in my career, this one is really the best. It is one I come back to again and again and I enjoy it even more with each hearing. It is really outstanding work.

The US version should be out soon and it is going to be worth the wait!

Funny how an album called 'Free' can be selling for $52. This is another example of pure greed and is doing a lot toward killing the sales of CD's and choking the revenue to artists. This turns off the public, big time. Choke the monkey fellas! In a few years, you will all be driving Hundai cars instead of Astons.

Next to Jaco's debut, this might be the best album by a bassist. Lot's of great grooves( Funk Joint, What Is Hip, etc.)Some technical skill demonstrations and even a great vocal (Free) Maybe 2 or 3 tracks out of 10 aren't great but there are no losers. Recommended.

First, the music on this CD is very good and is worthy of a 5 star rating. But the reason I give it a 3 star rating is to serve as a warning to others - the CD is almost the same as Miller's "Marcus" CD.

Most of the songs on the 2 CDs are identical. "Marcus" contains 3 more songs while a couple of songs on "Free" are just a little longer than on "Marcus." "Free" is only for the most serious of Marcus Miller fans, who want to listen to that extra minute on 2-3 songs.

There is nothing better than a GREAT musician in love with his instrument! The beat and the magic of his playing makes for a collection made for enjoyment

I think this is maybe his best album ever?
Track 1 and 9 is very funky and jazzy.
He must love to play this kind of music.