Maxwell Davies - A Tribute

Advantages: Reinvigorated Davis, awesomely funky, with a superb band.
Disadvantages: You're kidding right?

...Post 'Bitches Brew', amid the slow disintegration of the second great quintet, at a time when Columbia didn't know or even care how they marketed Miles, Davis produced this pearler. 'On the Corner' would follow, a series of mishandled live albums, and then ill health combined with his ongoing cocaine addiction would see Davis disappear for the greater part of the seventies. 'A Tribute to Jack Johnson' however is Davis at one with his material, interviews reveal this to be a project Davis dug, really dug. A longtime fan of boxing, and constant visitor to the ring to keep fit (relatively speaking for a cocaine addict with shot hips), in Jack Johnson Davis spotted a kindred spirit. The album was the soundtrack to a documentary about the legendary heavyweight. Johnson was THE great black hope in the early 20th century, an African American... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Ideal example of Miles' style at the time - funky and fun.
Disadvantages: Not for everyone (but definitely worth a shot)

...Miles Davis was one of the most influencial musicians of the last century, constantly innovating as a jazz sideman, soloist and bandleader. The trumpeter was at the forefront of bebop, 'cool' jazz, rock fusion, and funk. "Jack Johnson" falls in the middle of Miles' fusion period, with such albums as the famous "Bitches Brew" and "In a Silent Way". Track Listing 1. Right Off (26:52), 2. Yesternow (25:34) History This music was written by Miles as a soundtrack to the documentary "A Tribute to Jack Johnson". Johnson was a black boxer, heavyweight champion in 1908. He was a black symbol - Miles, always acutely aware of racial prejudices, felt a connection with Johnson. Unusually, Miles wrote liner notes himself for the album, showing his strength of feeling - he says how Johnson was sophisticated, into wine, cigars... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages:
Disadvantages:

...It’s soul. No, it’s jazz. Hang on, there’s some funk in here. I can’t decide what this album is, but I don’t care because frankly, it’s fantastic. This has quickly become one of my favourite albums of all time. The Urban Hang Suite is an ode to the joys of midnight love, but don’t let that put you off. Every single track is achingly beautiful and Maxwell’s voice is to die for – think Lenny Kravitz’s vocals, except sweeter and smoother. From the opening beats of The Urban Theme, to the closing fadeout of The Suite Theme I was completely hooked, and if you want any evidence of Maxwell’s talent, check out his cover of Kate Bush’s Whenever Wherever Whatever. I have never heard a cover so innovative or so well done.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful