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
As It Was cover

As It Was

John Taylor, Peter Erskine, Palle Danielsson
The Melodic Line cover

The Melodic Line

Vincent Courtois, Reverso, Frank Woeste, Ryan Keberle
Heritage Of The Invisible II cover

Heritage Of The Invisible II

Aquiles Navarro, Tcheser Holmes
Black Science cover

Black Science

Steve Coleman and Five Elements
The Bull and the Lion cover

The Bull and the Lion

Mike Makhalemele, Winston "Mankunku" Ngozi
Astral Traveling cover

Astral Traveling

Lonnie Liston Smith
Agharta cover

Agharta

Miles Davis
Jacob's Ladder cover

Jacob's Ladder

Brad Mehldau
Paul Motian and the Electric Bebop Band cover

Paul Motian and the Electric Bebop Band

Paul Motian and the Electric Bebop Band