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
Canyon Lady cover

Canyon Lady

Joe Henderson
Wisdom of Elders cover

Wisdom of Elders

Shabaka & the Ancestors
Manu Katché cover

Manu Katché

Manu Katché
In Common 2 cover

In Common 2

Micah Thomas, Matthew Stevens, Linda May Han Oh, Walter Smith III
Richter 858 cover

Richter 858

Bill Frisell
One For Me cover

One For Me

Shirley Scott
Jazz cover

Jazz

Wallace Roney
Satin Doll cover

Satin Doll

Sam Gendel
Radio Music Society cover

Radio Music Society

Esperanza Spalding
Duende cover

Duende

Nitai Hershkovits, Avishai Cohen