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
Moonshine cover

Moonshine

Dave Douglas, Keystone
Cotton Skies cover

Cotton Skies

Emily Saunders
Season of Changes cover

Season of Changes

Brian Blade & the Fellowship Band
Turn to Clear View cover

Turn to Clear View

Joe Armon-Jones
Mehliana: Taming the Dragon cover

Mehliana: Taming the Dragon

Brad Mehldau, Mark Guiliana
Yakhal' Inkomo cover

Yakhal' Inkomo

Winston "Mankunku" Ngozi
Galactic Warrior cover

Galactic Warrior

Santiago Bosch
Din and Tonic cover

Din and Tonic

Janette Mason
Only Sky cover

Only Sky

David Torn