By Peggy Oliver
 

If there is a specific musician who can reconstruct the music of Marvin (Gaye) and Miles (Davis) and actually bring believability to those icon’s original versions, Jason Miles would easily qualify. The keyboardist is quite familiar with sculpting soul, pop, jazz, funk and turntable wizardry into slightly unconventional, yet still accessible musical delights. More than just a seasoned sideman/producer who has worked with Davis, Chaka Khan and Ivan Lins to name a few, Miles was always willing to stretch beyond the mainstream. After all, who could also pull off playing the songbook of quirky pop stylist Bjork by forming producing 'The Bjorkestra'?

 

Then there is DJ Logic, a turntable genius who has blended his swift beats and unobtrusive loops with John Mayer, Christian McBride, and many others. As a fan of Miles, Logic invited the keyboardist for a performance at the Blue Note in 2006 where the connection was more then inevitable. That life-changing event left the duo envisioning to find a perfect vehicle to communicate the strong impact that various musical cultures play. The final answer would be the fusion project entitled Global Noize, whose Shanachie Entertainment debut in 2008 brought a therapeutic world music frame of mind. Supporting players like Me’shell Ndegeocello, Herb Alpert and Bernie Worrell added their own nuances in this critically acclaimed disc that covered jazz and funk with lots of international flavor.

 

Since the self-titled debut, several musicians have joined Miles and Logic in concert performances; the most recent lineup including Bombay born, New York-based vocalist Falu (Yo Yo Ma, Wyclef Jean) and saxophonist Jay Rodriguez (Groove Collective, Steps Ahead), who are featured on Global Noize’s latest effort: A Prayer for the Planet. The other supporting players on Prayer are less prolific than the debut, but this factor does not strip the soothing yet powerful global atmospheric tapestry with an old school heart. “21^st Century Preacherman” has plenty of jazzy soul grooves and electro funk bits framing Karl Denson’s vocal tenacity, greasy organ licks and turntable scratches scattered throughout. An Indian influenced soundtrack of plucked strings and Falu’s droning alto matched with Andy Switzer’s lively saxophone runs and funky guitar stroke grace “Charismalove.” One of Africa’s jazz sensations Malika Zarra joins forces with Lee Oskar’s harmonica squeezing the grooves every which way on “Viva La Femme,” anchored by the double fisted percussion tandem: Mocean Worker and Tupac Mantilla. The usually mellow mood shifts momentarily with “RIOS (Race in Outer Space)” as Miles, saxophonist Jeff Coffin (Bela Fleck & The Flecktones) and Israeli-born guitarist Oz Noy’s tight interplay make up the ingredients for sizzling jazz fusion. Brazilian vocalist Lica Cecato poetic approach adds a gentle spirit throughout the laid-back samba, “Natuerza E Paz (Nature & Peace)."

 

Peggy Oliver

The Urban Music Scene