Marcus Miller, Funkin' for Jamaica

[Dr. Cheese]

The March issue of Bass Player cleared up something for me. I always read that Marcus Miller played on the Tom Browne track, Funkin' for Jamaica, but I just didn't hear him. It turns out that Marcus played a rhythm guitar style part that was later doubled by an actual guitarist. The transcription article is cool, the actual transcription was written by Sekou Bunch who was Brown's MD.

[phillybass101]

Sekou is still active on the scene. We all know about the Carvin SKB series. Tecamp just came out with a new Cab called the Virtue that was designed by Sekou. Word from NAMM is that the cab is killer.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by phillybass101

Sekou is still active on the scene. We all know about the Carvin SKB series. Tecamp just came out with a new Cab called the Virtue that was designed by Sekou. Word from NAMM is that the cab is killer.

It is interesting to check out the Carvin SB series and then listen to lines like "Thighs High." It is proof that Marcus Miller and his sound were a product of his gear choice and influences as opposed to special "Marcus Mojo."

[T-MOST]

Didn't Sekou play on Thighs High also?

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

It is interesting to check out the Carvin SB series and then listen to lines like "Thighs High." It is proof that Marcus Miller and his sound were a product of his gear choice and influences as opposed to special "Marcus Mojo."

Influences, yes. Gear choice, no.

[mjac28]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Influences, yes. Gear choice, no.

+1000 We would have had Marcus Miller not matter what he chose to play.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by T-MOST

Didn't Sekou play on Thighs High also?

Yes.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Influences, yes. Gear choice, no.

Marcus would not sound like what we think of as Marcus without a Jazz Bass.
The kind of Seventies Jazz Marcus uses was standard tool for his sort of music. A friend and colleague of mine who is a professor of theory and composition said the other day what a great composer Miller is. I have no doubt he would have deeply impacted music regardless of his tone.

[JimmyM]

Can't say I ever heard anyone play a Jazz Bass and make it sound so steely bright before he came along. Plus he modded his Jazz with a preamp to be able to make it even more bright. I have a feeling Marcus would have gotten that sound out of anything because that's what he was going for. The only real requirement would be having rounds and a tweeter.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Can't say I ever heard anyone play a Jazz Bass and make it sound so steely bright before he came along. Plus he modded his Jazz with a preamp to be able to make it even more bright. I have a feeling Marcus would have gotten that sound out of anything because that's what he was going for. The only real requirement would be having rounds and a tweeter.

Treble was "in the air" so to speak. Before Marcus Miller, UK players like entwistle and Squier had brightened the tone. Mark Adams from Slave made an impact just a little before Miller and he had a Jazz Bass and a very bright tone.

[jerry]

I used to see Marcus before he had the preamps installed, he pretty much sounded the same. A lot of his 70's recordings are just the '77 J-bass.