Marlon McClain "TBD" {2010 Mac Man Music, Inc. / Lucky Records}

Marlon "The Magician" McClain, or "Mac Man", as he's affectionately known, is probably Contemporary Jazz's .... well, let's just say, "MUSIC'S", best kept secret. Why I say that ? I say that because Marlon's brilliant guitar work has been heard on many of the industry's top R&B/Jazz/Funk/Gospel recordings for well over 30 years now. Unless you read the album credits, you would never know it's Marlon's funky guitar licks that had your fingers snapping, you shaking your body, or tapping your toes. Some of those luminaries include The Dazz Band, George Clinton, George Benson, En Vogue, Jeff Lorber, Kenny G, "Uncle" Charlie Wilson, the former Trin-i-tee 5:7, EWF's Maurice White, and the list goes and on and on and on and on ...... well, I think you get the point. The man's sheer genius on the 6 string are undeniably incredible !

Marlon recorded an excellent and critically acclaimed, long out of print solo project in 1981, for the famed Berkeley, CA based record company, Fantasy Records, titled "Changes". You would wonder why hasn't he recorded another record. Within the past 30 years, he's been busy amassing those aforementioned credits to his impressive repertoire. Almost nearly one year ago to this date, he produced and released his long awaited, critically acclaimed album, "TBD". ....... Yes, I know :-( .... I'm late :-( .... But hey, give me credit at least for FINALLY !! .... {Smile Marlon ;-) ...} .... writing about an album, one of which I knew a year ago, would have such a profound affect on, not only the Contemporary Jazz community, but the ENTIRE music community at large. Let's go deeper and check out some of the highlights of a project that will withstand the test of time, as integrity ladened original music should do.

"Ain't Nuthin' But A Jam Y'All" ~ {Co-Written by M. McClain, G. Clinton, Jr., R. Harris, S. Martin}

This is actually a re-recording of a tune Marlon and company wrote for The Dazz Band featuring George Clinton in 1997. But clearly, Marlon adds his own "magical" touch to his song that is unlike the Dazz's. On this particular funk opus, we hear a slight Hip Hop-ish feel to it, as bassist Damon Erskine adds his cool, mellow and jazzy overtones to the groove. The "warm and body wrapped" Fender Rhodes chords played throughout are "in your face", as they're stereoFUNKnolically, {NOT sterephonically, No !} panned from left to right. A drum programmed Hi-Hat, kick drum and handclap keeps the flow "in the pocket", . Let's not forget Marlon's guitar excursions as they're as tight, melodic, and sho nuff funky ! To hear The Dazz Band's rendition featuring George Clinton, please click on the following link : www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7-yzfCXIN8

"Come On" ~ {Written by Marlon McClain}

Here's a song that was clearly written for those summer's drives on the highway with the drop top down, and this song blasting ! It's "steppers" like groove in the Roy Ayers vein, comes complete with Marlon's warm and fuzzy guitar tones, along with those, once again, stereo panned Fender Rhodes chords. You can't help but notice, not that you would want to, a "sound effect equalization sweep", or that "swishing sound", if you will. The bass patch, the programmed handclaps, the vibraphone fills, REEKS for you to have a good time ! If a lot of the terrestrial Smooth Jazz radio stations hadn't changed formats, or shut down altogether, they would've added this song to their playlists quick, fast, and a hurry !

"Get What You Want" : (Co-Produced by Marlon McClain & Lomax) ~ { Written By M. McClain & M. Lomax}

OK y'all ! The FUNK'S in full effect on this one ! You'll have to put the blame on Mac Man and Lomax for your sore neck as you "head bop" yourself into a frenzy as you're listening to this song. The turntable scratching, the "funked up" bass guitar licks, the '70's "wah wah'd" guitar licks of the Mac Man, and the just the sheer FUNKABILITY of the track, beckons you to crank the volume to 11 ! .... and of course, the muted guitar performance of Marlon's is what "guitar effect pedals" are made of, if done right ! .... and no one, and I mean NO ONE ! does it better than Marlon !

"Sorry To Say" ~ {Co-Written by Marlon McClain and Patrick Lamb}

The pace is slowed down a tad on this "laid back dirt road in the dry plains of Alabama" track. The standout performance is that of the co-composer, Patrick Lamb, and his rich and warm tenor sax performance. It's woodwind offerings is about smooth and velvety as any sax performance I've heard in a while, the guy's pretty good, he can play. Of course, Magician's fretwork takes us down that same dusty country road, with it's slight "twang", if you will. The Hammond B3 organ in the background give this track a "Bruce Hornsby and The Range" appeal. The programmed drums are subtle and even keeled, not overdone. The acoustic guitar strummings are more than in line with the overall "laid backness" of the song overall.

"Life Is" ~ {Co-Written by Marlon McClain & Jeff Lorber}

On this marvelous tune, Marlon brought along his longtime friend, the legendary, and now, Grammy nominated, artist/keyboardist/producer/engineer/sometimes guitarist/songwriter/bandleader .... I think we all get the point :-( .... Jeff Lorber into the mix and conjure some, what I like to call, "Laid Back Funk" in the mix. You can certainly hear Jeff's handprints all over this track, particularly as his whips up his trademarked "JHL" sound on the Fender Rhodes. His improvised solo fits like a hand in glove with Marlon's melodic and wonderfully executed guitar strumming. Another song to add to the iPod Jazz playlist.

This is a triumphant return of a solo artist that made one impressive album, that still, one year later, sounds as fresh as it did waaaaaaaay back in 2010. If you do not have a copy of this great piece of work, I highly recommend you obtain it as soon as possible. Let's just hope and pray we will not have to wait another 30 years for the next record. Go Get This CD/Download !!! ;-)

Musically Yours,

Ran Man

Please visit Marlon's websites to learn more about him and to purchase or download "TBD"

www.reverbnation.com/marlonlmcclain

www.facebook.com/marlon.mcclain

www.cdbaby.com/Artist/MarlonMcClain

www.myspace.com/macmanmusic2

www.roselandpdx.com/macman-music