(Blue Note)

Bassist Marcus Miller’s latest recording, his first with Blue Note Records, was heavily influenced by his experiences as UNESCO Artist of Peace and spokesperson for its Slave Route Project. Afrodeezia  is rich with the rhythmic influences of his travels. Recorded in cities around the world, including Morocco, Rio de Janeiro, New Orleans and Los Angeles, Miller pays homage not only to his time and travels, but also to his father who is dealing with the challenges of Alzheimer’s, as well as the memory of friends and musical colleagues George Duke, Joe Sample and Wayman Tisdale who have all passed away within the last few years. The music is as adventurous and powerful as we’ve come to expect from Miller over his recording career, with a heavy dose of his virtuosic brilliance. Guests on the recording include keyboardist Robert Glasper, trumpeters Etienne Charles and Ambrose Akinmusire, guitarists Keb’ Mo’ and Wah Wah Watson, bassist/producer Mocean Worker, vocalist Lalah Hathaway, rapper Chuck D. and cellist Ben Hong. This production is a tour de force ripe with musical imagery of the many miles Miller has journeyed as an artist and a man.