Byron Miller on The Essential George Duke

Dr. Cheese · #1 01-07-2009, 10:54 AM

I just picked up the Essential George Duke double CD yesterday, and Byron Miller is featured doing all the stuff that made folks love him. Check it out, and get schooled on some serious funk!

Hoover · #2 01-07-2009, 11:00 AM

He's playing on Duke's "Reach For It", right? That's a badass groove.

I've also got a Herbie Hancock album or two with Byron Miller playing bass on them, the dude is definitely funky

Dr. Cheese · #3 01-07-2009, 11:01 AM

Yes, Sir, that is Byron Miller on "Reach For It!"

bass12 · #4 01-07-2009, 01:25 PM

How about that never-ending bass solo on the 12" of "Dukey Stick"? While we're at it (talking about funk), how come no one ever talks about the stellar bass playing (courtesy of Barry Johnson, I believe) on Don Blackman's first album?

NickBass81 · #5 01-07-2009, 01:35 PM

I love his playing on Duke's "A Brazilian love Affair"...he's really funky!!

Dr. Cheese · #6 01-07-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass12

How about that never-ending bass solo on the 12" of "Dukey Stick"? While we're at it (talking about funk), how come no one ever talks about the stellar bass playing (courtesy of Barry Johnson, I believe) on Don Blackman's first album?

I'm not familiar with Don Blackman's work, but I know Barry "Sonjohn" Johnson killed on Twennynine featuring Lenny White's CD, Best of Friends. His best track was a song called "Betta."

Dr. Cheese · #7 01-07-2009, 01:41 PM

Here's a soundclip of "Betta:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_RAm...eature=related

fountain boy · #8 01-07-2009, 02:12 PM

I love Byron Miller's playing, his 'feel' is a bass player's dream.

I have his solo cd that he recorded and loved his playing on Marvin Gayes live album, recorded sometime in 80 or 81.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBpc6iSynkI

bass12 · #9 01-07-2009, 03:33 PM

Hey Doc - if you don't know Don Blackman's eponymous debut and you like funk, you've got a treat in store! I don't think the album was ever released on CD, but it was re-issued on vinyl a few years ago. You HAVE to check it out (go to Youtube to sample some cuts). One of the most underrated albums in jazz-funk...

jerry · #10 01-07-2009, 09:28 PM

I was stoked George brought back Byron Miller for some of Dukey Stick. I first saw that band around '77-'78 when they also had Sheila E, they plain flat-out smoked!

slybass3000 · #11 01-08-2009, 09:06 PM

How about the album "Follow the rainbow"?

I think he is at his best and so is George,

Sly

NickBass81 · #12 01-09-2009, 03:25 AM

You're right, it's a great recording...Miller and Ricky Lawson made a very tight rythm section and the songs are great...but talking about George's albums my favorite is "The Aura Will Prevail"...

Starrchild · #13 01-07-2011, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass12

Hey Doc - if you don't know Don Blackman's eponymous debut and you like funk, you've got a treat in store! I don't think the album was ever released on CD, but it was re-issued on vinyl a few years ago. You HAVE to check it out (go to Youtube to sample some cuts). One of the most underrated albums in jazz-funk...

Thank you for bringing this C.D. too my attention. Very tasty bass playing.

T-MOST · #14 01-07-2011, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass12

Hey Doc - if you don't know Don Blackman's eponymous debut and you like funk, you've got a treat in store! I don't think the album was ever released on CD, but it was re-issued on vinyl a few years ago. You HAVE to check it out (go to Youtube to sample some cuts). One of the most underrated albums in jazz-funk...

I love that album. I remember meeting Don back in Queens NY in the early 80's when it came out. I have it from Youtube downloads but I would love to get it on CD (but u can't find it). It's a Funky funky record.

As for Byron Miller... He's a great bass player. I have to pick up the best of George Duke CD.

bass12 · #15 01-07-2011, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-MOST

I love that album. I remember meeting Don back in Queens NY in the early 80's when it came out. I have it from Youtube downloads but I would love to get it on CD (but u can't find it). It's a Funky funky record.

As for Byron Miller... He's a great bass player. I have to pick up the best of George Duke CD.

Ha! I actually just received my copy from Amazon! So there you have it, the CD is available on Expansion records.

T-MOST · #16 01-07-2011, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass12

Ha! I actually just received my copy from Amazon! So there you have it, the CD is available on Expansion records.

Thanks for the tip!

jerry · #17 01-07-2011, 03:38 PM

If you don't want to pay the import price for the Don Blackman album, I-tunes has it for under eight bucks.

bottomzone · #18 01-07-2011, 04:17 PM

Byron Miller is a beast!!!! George Duke has box set of his MPS Label recordings that I am adding to my need to get list. Check out his website:

http://www.georgeduke.com/

There is one interview that I read where George mentions that "Reach For It" was the result of a live concert experiment!!! The rest, as they say, is history!!!

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

bass12 · #19 01-07-2011, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerry

If you don't want to pay the import price for the Don Blackman album, I-tunes has it for under eight bucks.

Cool - that's a relatively recent addition to iTunes (last time I checked they only had the second album - which isn't all that great from what I heard).

jerry · #20 01-07-2011, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass12

Cool - that's a relatively recent addition to iTunes (last time I checked they only had the second album - which isn't all that great from what I heard).

Yeah, I just noticed it myself. As much as I don't like buying downloads, I've been checking there before I spend on import albums these days, helped me save on the new live Marcus Miller too.