 For several years after he had turned 40 , Miller concentrated on composing and playing his own music . He therefore reduced his recording and club appearances , as well as one @-@ day associations . The stimulus for this change had built gradually from Miller 's first studio recording in 1981 : " my recording activity increased and by the time that it got into 1986 – 87 I was on so many records it was unbelievable until eventually it became rather overwhelming and stressful , so I had to cut back . " He did continue to record , often with musicians he had established relationships with : in 1996 he reunited with Williams to appear on what became the drummer 's final recording , Young at Heart ; further albums led by Kenny Garrett , Nelson , Reeves , and others were made in the period 1997 – 99 . 
