Jazz innovator reaches impasse, maybe the technology was not there yet. (Tutu - Miles Davis)

Name: GKDurkin

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Product:	Tutu - Miles Davis
Date:	22.03.08 (32 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Bold ideas in here, captures the era it was recorded in.

Disadvantages: Does not escape the 'better in theory than put into action' badge.

It stands to reason that no other jazz performer has had such an impact on the evolution of jazz as trumpeter Miles Davis. Armstrong may have invented the improvising idea, Ellington been the champion of composition and Charlie Parker may have coined the 'language' of jazz but Miles immeasurably influenced the music in his various discernible periods of work.

The 1986 album Tutu is a move on from the orchestral 50's, the 60's of the quintet and the fusion of the 70's to the machine-funk area of the 80's, a period of mixed fortunes for artist and listener alike. The casual browser and Miles fan may be drawn to the bold cover and the reflection of the times in track names such as Full Nelson (referring to Nelson Mandela) and the title track tribute to Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Arranged by bassist Marcus Miller in an electro-funk style, tutu is perhaps the most successful of Miles's late rock projects. Its lack of organic development - Davis overdubbed his tight contributions over Miller's composed backing tracks - does hide a certain amount of intelligence combined with Miles's undeniable style.

The list of personnel, including George duke and Steve Reid, bodes well, but the whole enterprise works better as an idea rather than a piece of work and some synth sounds, as well as the electric violin, have dated badly.

Summary: For the very curious and Miles completists only.