MILES DAVIS — Tutu (review)

MILES DAVIS — Tutu album cover Album · 1986 · Pop/Art Song/Folk Buy this album from MMA partners
2/5 ·
dreadpirateroberts
A fascinating album with a superb cover, but not all that satisfying.

At least, to the typical jazz fan it won't be. It's nice to hear Miles' muted trumpet, but the backing he's playing over simply takes so few risks that it's almost on autopilot. It's too smooth and sounds decidedly glib in that 80s way, with airy synth and programming that has little sense of adventure. The tempo stays pretty even, pretty safe, and while his soloing is at times inventive (it's still Miles) there's certainly no spirit of collaboration or egging each other on.

And so the album has the sound of an 80s OST, perhaps to an action film or a thriller maybe, only it's delivered with less dynamic and less instruments (such as 'Backyard Ritual' which actually stands out because of this.) The song 'Tutu' itself is a perfect example of what to expect from the album and it works quite well, but elsewhere it's more of the same slap bass, ethereal synth and spacious beats that never evoke space nor raise the pulse. 'Portia' is not bad either, but the set really is a difficult listen if you're not already a fan of the production period.

A Miles Davis collector should eventually check this out, because in terms of soloing, he really does get to do as he pleases over the backing tracks. Otherwise, maybe give this album a miss.

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