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
Blacks and Blues cover

Blacks and Blues

Bobbi Humphrey
Beyond Now cover

Beyond Now

Donny McCaslin
Unity Band cover

Unity Band

Pat Metheny, Antonio Sánchez, Ben Williams, Chris Potter
Spirit Groove cover

Spirit Groove

David Murray, Kahil El'Zabar
Bitches Brew cover

Bitches Brew

Miles Davis
The Epic cover

The Epic

Kamasi Washington
Emergency Exit cover

Emergency Exit

Throttle Elevator Music
One For Me cover

One For Me

Shirley Scott
Off the End cover

Off the End

Brandon Ross
NoFo Skies cover

NoFo Skies

Alex Sipiagin