Marcus Miller is a bass virtuoso and composer whose work with Miles Davis, David Sanborn, and countless others made him central to 1980s-90s jazz-funk. Renaissance, released on Concord Jazz in 2012, finds Miller returning to soulful, groove-oriented playing. The album is generous with melody and warmth—his bass lines are propulsive yet melodic, and the production emphasizes spaciousness and balance. Tracks like Slippin' Into Darkness and Setembro show Miller's ability to bend genres without losing focus. There's sophistication here—smart arrangements, quality musicianship—but it never forgets that the point is to feel good, to groove, to move. Excellent contemporary jazz-funk that respects the listener's intelligence.