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
Native Dancer cover

Native Dancer

Wayne Shorter, Milton Nascimento
The Centennial Trilogy cover

The Centennial Trilogy

Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah
Decoy cover

Decoy

Miles Davis
Never Group cover

Never Group

Zhenya Strigalev
Internationally Recognised Aliens cover

Internationally Recognised Aliens

The Impossible Gentlemen
Only Sky cover

Only Sky

David Torn
At Home cover

At Home

Avishai Cohen
Fishbone cover

Fishbone

Fishbone