Malcolm Jamal Warner’s Miles Long – Love & Other Social Issues
The very talented Big Screen & Sitcom Actor, Producer & Playwright continues to examine the many talents he has to offer. It shouldn’t be hard to figure it out if you haven’t heard of “Miles Long” – Malcolm Jamal Warner’s Jazz group which explores the very essence of Funk Jazz, R&B & Hip-Hop textured compositions. This one is for the bassist & R&B/Poetry lovers delight as well as another opportunity to see the other side of Malcolm. Musically & on the note of today’s topic & matters in “Love & Other Social Issues”. A recurrent from 2007.
Malcolm actually had a running stage play last year in Southern California & throughout, that was entitled the same name. And yes, It practically sold out each night! Other than his fame in the TV & Movie Industry, there is another approach from Brother Malcolm that is floating under radar. His passion for jazz & R&B music enlightened his chance at sharing his skills on the bass to music lovers all over the globe.
Track Listing:
~ Running On Empty
~ This Time
~ Keep Smilin’
~ InnerCity Visions
~ Confessions Of A Confused Romantic
~ Anniversary
~ If I Were Your Girlfriend (remix)
~ This Dope Called Hope
~ Sprung
~ Ascension
~ Project Image (redux)
~ What If Summer Never Came (feat. Poetri)
~ LapDance (remix)
~ Sound check (What It Sound Like)
Straight Up: Malcolm took a lot off his chest in the opening track “Running On Empty”, a message for Hip Hop Lovers out there. He displayed a little skill on the rap scene; However, we get into the magnitude of the groove with “This Time”, The R&B template resonates & features Malcolm kicking up some solo poetry lines; And it keeps going in “Keep Smilin'”; “Confessions Of A Confused Romantic” turns the tempo down & allowed Malcolm to continue with a spoken word, near resembling a particular way its always done by the likes of Me-shell Ndegeocello & many others. It’s definitely something attractive & memorizing. Check the message.
Ladies will connect possibly to “Anniversary”. Not a remake or cover of Tony, Tone, Toni’s hit track, but Malcolms’ special love letter is magnified over a plate of a soulful, mellow composition & it carried a well structured background vocal by Jaz from R&B group Dru Hill. I dug it & I think y’all will too!
The remix to “If I Were Your Girlfriend” jammed a hip-hop beat to another poetic sidebar from Mr. Warner & another stellar background vocals from Kiara Quon.
The bassline is finally dropped as the opener to track “Sprung”, as Malcolm unleashed another parade of poetic social opinion & inner energetic expressions. He got very deep into details about Love, as though he shares with the listener tidbits about his own life & experiences.
I was hoping to hear more adventurous Bass solos & jazz activity from Miles Long. The project celebrated a stance of poetic justice, & plastered it with nice R&B background melodies. A taste of R&B is definitely felt throughout the CD, with a little bit of samplings leaning towards the love for Jazz as Malcolm, I believe, will ultimately lean into later in his musical career. I’m sure there’s more to Miles Long than just “Love & Other Social Issues”. I enjoyed this CD, although he caught me off guard with some explicit lyrics. In blocking those out, the rest of the project has a great feel & a nice overall stand.
T AKA “JaS”
The Urban Music Scene
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