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
Pinball cover

Pinball

Marius Neset
Lune Rouge cover

Lune Rouge

Erik Truffaz
Congregation: Art of Sound, Vol. 4 cover

Congregation: Art of Sound, Vol. 4

Asaf Sirkis, Sam Burgess, John Law
Drawing Breath cover

Drawing Breath

Blue Touch Paper
Street Priest cover

Street Priest

Ronald Shannon Jackson & the Decoding Society
Codona cover

Codona

Collin Walcott, Codona, Naná Vasconcelos, Don Cherry
Secret Love cover

Secret Love

Claire Martin
Duet: Chick & Hiromi cover

Duet: Chick & Hiromi

Hiromi Uehara, Chick Corea
Saudades cover

Saudades

Larry Goldings, Jack DeJohnette, Trio Beyond, John Scofield
Ballads cover

Ballads

Liane Carroll