Marcus Miller

[dhagler]

I have decided Marcus is the most versatile bassist ever.

I was listening to Tom Browne's "Funkin' for Jamaica" and became curious as to who played the bass.  Did a little research:  Marcus Miller.
Then, later on I wanted to learn the bassline to Grover Washington Jr.'s "Just The Two of Us":  Marcus Miller.
Finally, messing around with a jazz track from Dave Grusin called "Mountain Dance":  Marcus Miller.

If you know these three songs, you know that the bass playing on each is totally different from the others.  And it just occurred to me that the albums on which these songs appear were all released in the same period (1979 - 1981 or so).

I know the songs are secular (hence no posting of sound clips), but I just HAD to get this off my chest!

[bassthumpa]

Marcus has a crazy resume... just crazy.

[dhagler]

Marcus has a crazy resume... just crazy.

I know, right? Song after song, "He played on THAT?"

[DWBass]

I'm almost sure Sekou Bunch played on Funkin' For Jamaica. Search "Tom Browne-Funkin For Jamaica" on youtube and you'll see Sekou Bunch in the video. It's also mostly synth bass on that tune.

[DWBass]

Marcus Miller and Francisco Centeno are also credited on that album though.

[DWBass]

I do think Marcus is quite a versatile musician and can play just about anything. A lot of folks bypass him for Victa Wooten and others.

[dhagler]

Marcus Miller and Francisco Centeno are also credited on that album though.

Thanks DW.

[MikeGee]

I do think Marcus is quite a versatile musician and can play just about anything. A lot of folks bypass him for Victa Wooten and others.

Yea, Nathan East is looked over too.

[phatstrings]

b] A lot of folks bypass him for Victa Wooten[/b] and others.

 I'm one of those.I'll go with Wooten anyday.But you cant take anything away from MM though.

[ssabass]

Not only does Marcus have a long resume of songs that he's played on, his producing resume is even more impressive. Marcus is probably one of the most sought after bass player/producers in the business. Victor is a bad boy, he's is probaly the best all around bass player out there. But he has said it himself, that he does not get alot of calls to do studio work, he say's because most people think that what he is famous for, is how he's going to deliver on there song. He said he would love to get calls for studio work, he just doesn't. Now for Nathan, he probably has the most diverse resume of the three. Nathan is a chameleon, he can adapt to any style of music. 

[malthumb]

....Now for Nathan, he probably has the most diverse resume of the three. Nathan is a chameleon, he can adapt to any style of music. 

EXACTLY!!!  Even if you think you've never heard Nathan East, you have.

[BigFoot_BigThumb]

From Luther Vandross, to The Jamaica Boys, to Miles Davis, Marcus has done so much quality work that it is ridiculous.  Been down with him since I first heard 'Never Too Much' in 1981.  Nathan East is the man too.  From Al Jarreau to Angela Winbush, he has done some timeless tracks as well.     

[dhagler]

EXACTLY!!!  Even if you think you've never heard Nathan East, you have.

For example, he played on three of Anita Baker's first four albums.

[DWBass]

For example, he played on three of Anita Baker's first four albums.

And he also played with Barry White's Unlimited Orchestra!

[mjl422]

And he also played with Barry White's Unlimited Orchestra!

He also played on, just about, every album that Babyface produced.  And he played for Eric Clapton and Phil Collins.

[Quebass86]

I have to agree on Nathan. When I first started playing his vhs tape was the first I bought. He can play any style and I mean any...classical, funk, jazz, rock, ballads....I also have some All Star tapes with him, louis Johnson, larry graham, freddy washington (forget me nots), Abe laborial, and many others...at the end nathan and louis and jamming, freestyling and having a thumping competition almost and of course we all know louis can thump but nathan was thumping and complementing louis at the same time and it wasn't clashing or anything....

[hands5]

I have to agree on Nathan. When I first started playing his vhs tape was the first I bought. He can play any style and I mean any...classical, funk, jazz, rock, ballads....I also have some All Star tapes with him, louis Johnson, larry graham, freddy washington (forget me nots), Abe laborial, and many others...at the end nathan and louis and jamming, freestyling and having a thumping competition almost and of course we all know louis can thump but nathan was thumping and complementing louis at the same time and it wasn't clashing or anything....

I also have this video and not to hijack the thread when I was watching it I wondered why louis didn't do more overhand "call and response because he does have a real nice overhand style, I mean most of us in the know already know his ( galloping horse ) thumping and pluckin style which I've yet to see another player play that type of style

[floaded27]

I also have this video and not to hijack the thread when I was watching it I wondered why louis didn't do more overhand "call and response because he does have a real nice overhand style, I mean most of us in the know already know his ( galloping horse ) thumping and pluckin style which I've yet to see another player play that type of style

overhand style?

[DWBass]

  I mean most of us in the know already know his ( galloping horse ) thumping and pluckin style which I've yet to see another player play that type of style

If you were around and playing back in the 70's, you would have seen tons of cats playing like that (or trying to). It probably stemmed from trying to slap on a bass with very high action and it just stuck with him.

[Quebass86]

Freddy Washington is nice too...