Tutu cover
Released

After 30 years, Miles Davis left Columbia Records for Warner Bros., and his opening statement was as stark as its black-and-white, sphinxlike cover photo. His piercing, muted horn floated through moody, post-Prince funk soundscapes assembled by bassist Marcus Miller, including a version of Scritti Politti’s minor hit “Perfect Way.” In some ways this album couldn’t be more 1986, but it’s also got an eerie quality on tracks like “Portia” and “Backyard Ritual” that gives it a timeless feel. And the tenderness in his playing is like probing at a bruise.

Phil Freeman

Recommended by

Suggestions
Lune Rouge cover

Lune Rouge

Erik Truffaz
In Common 2 cover

In Common 2

Micah Thomas, Matthew Stevens, Linda May Han Oh, Walter Smith III
Beyond Now cover

Beyond Now

Donny McCaslin
Guided Tour cover

Guided Tour

The New Gary Burton Quartet
Word of Mouth cover

Word of Mouth

Jaco Pastorius
One For Me cover

One For Me

Shirley Scott
Spiral Mercury cover

Spiral Mercury

Chicago/São Paulo Underground, Pharoah Sanders
Negative Space cover

Negative Space

Paolo Benedettini, Roberto Tarenzi, Tony Arco, David Liebman