The Sun Don't Lie

Wayne Shorter, Marcus Miller

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 18, 1993)
• Original Release Date: November 1, 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Pra Records
• ASIN: B00000363S
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #117,871 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Panther

2. Steveland

3. Rampage

4. Sun Don't Lie

5. Scoop

6. Mr. Pastorius

7. Funny (All She Needs Is Love)

8. Moons

9. Teen Town

10. Juju

11. King Is Gone (For Miles)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb bass-driven album., April 25, 2005

By	Michael Stack (North Chelmsford, MA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

"The Sun Don't Lie" is one of those albums for me-- maybe I heard it at the right time in my life, maybe it really is that good, but even in the face of what many consider better records, this is my favorite of Marcus Miller's catalog-- certainly, his playing (as superb as it is) would be better on later albums, but I think this is some of his best work.

Marcus Miller is, of course, regarded as one of the great bassists, and with good reason, this album shows that nicely-- from breathtaking plucked runs (the intro to "Panther") to just stunning slap playing ("Rampage"), delicate fretless work ("Moons") and a great solo bass piece ("Mr. Pastorius", originally recorded with Miles Davis). But its the songwriting on this one that really shines, from the delicate "The Sun Don't Lie" to the great funky jazz-rock of "Funny (All She Needs is Love)", the hard swining "Rampage", and the totally brilliant "Panther"-- but what makes Marcus so great is that when his songs are bass driven, he somehow gets away without having a concrete bassline until another solo voice joins, when he steps back into a supportive role on the instrument. And with a generous supporting cast including guest performances by Miles Davis, Kenny Garrett, Wayne Shorter, and Vernon Reid, this album is nothing short of spectacular.

Certainly, if you're a Miles fan looking to explore Marcus' music, this is a great place to start, its how I did. This album is excellent.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Landmark Recording and One of Miles Davis' Last Recording, December 11, 2000

By	Greg Randolph (Johnson City, Tennessee United States) - See all my reviews

"The Sun Don't Lie" is one of those things of beauty that you stumble upon and realize that it happened for a reason. Before this album I knew Miller as only a collaborator and top notch Electric Bass player. A knowledgeable jazz listening friend of mine owns a record store and told me to check this disc out when it was first released. When I looked at the line-up of artists, it was breathtaking. Miles Davis (this was to be released posthumously and one of Miles final recordings), Wayne Shorter, Lenny White, Don Alias, Paulinho DaCosta, Vernon Reid, Jason Miles, Joe Sample, Andy Narell, Kenny Garrett(the real "Kenny G"),Maurice White, Poogie Bell, Michael "Patches" Stewart, Steve Thornton, Omar Hakim, Hiram Bullock and many more unbelievably... The song list, mostly originals written by Miller, include "Panther" a rousing tune with Miller's trademark bass licks leading things off. "Steveland" a song written as a tribute to the wonderful Stevie "Steveland Morris" Wonder, with stellar performances by Miller, Wayne Shorter and the under appreciated David Sanborn (in top form), and "Rampage" the afforementioned tune featuring Miles Davis's trademark Harmon Muted horn solo. The final cut, "The King Is Gone (For Miles)", is a moving mix of fusion and an interlude in the middle of straight ahead playing with Miller showing off his Bass Clarinet skills, Acoustic Bass and the masterfully mournful tenor sound of Wayne Shorter. All eleven cuts are incredible, but this song alone makes it worth the purchase. I own nearly 1,000 cd's ranging from Adderly to Zawinful and I would recommend this disc to anyone who has a passion, and as I do, a desire to find the ONE perfect jazz disc. If this isn't it, it's as close as we've come in the past decade.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wunderkind's first jazzy solo., January 11, 2000

By	yygsgsdrassil "yygsgsdrassil" (Crossroads America) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Miller is a studio wunderkind known for his work with Never Too Much Vandross, Roberta Flack, Bob James, the Jamaician Boys and the jazz icon Miles Davis, among other artists. This is his first jazz solo album--you see, in the 80's he did at least two R&B hip-hop albums. (Both are ultra-rare in vinyl, to say nothing of CDs.) Therefore, to me, Miller was already a star in his own rights--this CD along with the excellent "Tales" are for those who are truly missing a treat. "The King Is Gone" (for Miles) is an inspired work featuring featuring Miller on bass clarinet and the legendary Wayne Shorter on tenor and soprano saxes. Miles Davis is on "Rampage" which is possibly his last recording ever--believe me when I tell you it is as funky as it wansta be. "Juju" features two of the Miller kids and though they may be preteens now, it must've been a kick to work with their Papa in the studio. Get the Marcus Miller jazz trilogy--this CD, "Tales" and "Live and More". Check out his awesome bass in the likes of Miles Davis' "Tutu" and Sanborn and James' "Double Vision", then ask yourself what took you so long to catch on to the Miller greatness.