TUTU

Birth Of The Cool. Kind Of Blue. Sketches of Spain. Bitches Brew. Tutu. Which of those albums doesn't belong? Tutu is Miles Davis' only album post-Bitches Brew that I regularly see in music stores, and I'm not sure why.

The great majority of the compositions on Tutu were written and recorded by Marcus Miller, who played just about every instrument on the album with the exception of the trumpet, which was obviously played by Miles. It is this reason why I find little excitement when listening to Tutu. Sure, Miles' horn is what is supposed to identify his albums as it should, but I can feel that division in the creative process as I listen to this album. The sense of exploration and interplay between musicians that is felt in previous Miles Davis albums is greatly missing on this album.

You can date Tutu to 1986 by picking any track at random. From the electronic percussion on tracks like "Tomaas" and "Don't Lose Your Mind", to the sax in "Perfect Way"; standard sounds of the time are all over these tracks. The songs themselves are a blend of soft rock and adult contemporary that seems like an appropriate formula for the soundtrack of an 80s crime drama or late night TV movie. If that was the intent of the album, then it met it's objective. The album would work reasonably in that context, but by itself there it doesn't have much weight.

The one composition that stands out in my mind is the title track. Marcus Miller, the song's composer, often plays "Tutu" live and gives it an energy that is lacking in the studio version. Miller's tight bass playing throughout the album is one of the few bright spots on Tutu. The violin solo on "Don't Lose Your Mind" by Michal Urbaniak is also notable.

Check this album out if you want to hear some of his 80s work, though Miles produced some more adventurous material that this during the decade. For completionists only!!