Laid Black

On Laid Black, Miles Davis' former bassist Marcus Miller keeps the grooves strong and straightforward while adding dollops of Hammond organ, scorching guitar, and varied horns. His virtuosic electric bass, with its metallic-yet-warm tone, is in the foreground throughout, whether on the tour de force “Trip Trap” (recorded live) or the sensitive, swaying “Someone to Love.” Miller's bass clarinet work, too, is mesmerizing on the closing waltz “Preacher’s Kid.” Belgian vocalist Selah Sue, on “Que Sera Sera,” helps bring a downtempo funk sensibility to a classic old ballad.