Music In The Air
Sliding Jazz Door, 2022
8/10
A veteran musician from the West Coast, Mark Christian Miller is armed with an exceptional voice, and he takes help from Jamieson Trotter, Mike Gurrola, Kevin Winard, Larry Koonse and Danny Janklow for these 8 jazz friendly tracks.
“If You Never Fall In Love With Me” opens the listen with Miller’s smooth and upbeat voice alongside Janklow’s soulful sax and Gurrola’s bouncy bass lines, and “Lullaby Of The Leaves” follows with a calmer approach of romantic song craft that benefits much from Winard’s precise drumming and the expressive singing.
Halfway through, “I Wished On The Moon” quivers with a bit of mystery, where Trotter’s atmospheric keys complement Miller’s agile pipes, while “Mutineer” burns slow and powerfully, and emits a stirring intimacy thanks to the poetic vocals and sweeping piano that complement the ‘90s pop moments.
Near the end, “Too Darn Hot” displays a stylish demeanor that benefits much from the frisky rhythm section and Miller’s booming voice, and “Prelude To A Kiss” exits with much attention to mood in the Duke Ellington classic.
This is Miller’s 3rd album, and he makes each song his own thanks to his inimitable singing and the player’s focused and sophisticated efforts that comes with a rare chemistry and very memorable delivery
Travels well with: Rodney Whitaker- Oasis; Susan Reed- Thousands Of Ways