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Maci Miller: Nine
ByWhile Miller may not be widely known, this is her fifth CD after a hiatus due to COVID and, far more benignly, time out for childcare. She is also now touring in the Northeast, which would give audiences a chance to hear her live. Whether with a small group or a big band, she swings, can turn on the heat, and be sweet or sultry, depending on mood. Her contralto voice is not big, but Miller is one of those singers about whom it is often said, "she has something." Indeed she does: talent.
The tunes on offer her give Miller a chance to show off her varying gifts. "High Wire" is an up-tempo, Chick Corea flounce with notes of early Eden Atwood. "Firm Roots" brightly does much the same. "Love Me For Whom I am" is a soulful request, with McKenna supplying the obligato. He also does so on "Complicated," another I-vi-ii-V sort of tune. "The Nearness of You" is a standard that features a lovely Jeremy Pelt solo. Miller does a very nice job here. "I Can't Wait" is a tune of Miller's own composition (with Aaron Graves), as is "Strange is the Night" and "Feel the Music."
It seems odd that Miller does not have a larger reputation, especially by the evidence of this recording. There are, it is true, a lot of singers around, but Miller is one of the better ones and a cut above. She is well worth making an effort to hear.
Track Listing
High Wire; Firm Roots; Love Me For Who I am; Little Bird; Complicated; The Nearness of You; I Can't Wait; Strange is the Night; Feel The Music.
Personnel
Maci Miller
vocalsAaron Graves
pianoMike Boone
bassLarry McKenna
saxophone, tenorVictor North
saxophone, tenorByron Landham
drumsLeon Jordan, Sr.
drumsJosh Orlando
drumsJeremy Pelt
trumpetAlbum information
Title: Nine | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Self Produced
Comments
Tags
Maci Miller
Album Review
Richard J Salvucci
Nine (Maci Miller)
Self Produced
Philadelphia
Blossom Dearie
Nancy Wilson
Larry McKenna
Byron Landham
Aaron Graves
Mike Boone
Leon Jordan
Victor North
Jeremy Pelt
Chick Corea
Eden Atwood