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
Last Desert cover

Last Desert

Liberty Ellman
Good Hope cover

Good Hope

Dave Holland, Chris Potter, Zakir Hussain
 Tap: Book of Angels, Vol. 20 cover

Tap: Book of Angels, Vol. 20

John Zorn, Pat Metheny
Remembrance cover

Remembrance

John Patitucci
City Swamp cover

City Swamp

Jake Long
Hamada cover

Hamada

Nils Petter Molvær
Word of Mouth cover

Word of Mouth

Jaco Pastorius