On the Corner

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

After Bitches Brew and Jack Johnson, Miles Davis was criticised by the jazz world, which accused him of chasing commercial success. In early 1972 he conceived On the Corner as an attempt to win back a young black audience that had exchanged jazz for the funk of Sly Stone and James Brown. Karlheinz Stockhausen and the ideas of Ornette Coleman and arranger Paul Buckmaster also played a part. The recordings were made in June and July 1972, with changing musicians such as Michael Henderson, John McLaughlin, Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock.

The music consists of repeated drum and bass patterns over which Davis played his trumpet through a wah-wah pedal. Producer Teo Macero cut and spliced the recordings into compositions. No musicians are credited on the sleeve. On release the record sold poorly and was rejected by jazz critics. The verdict has since improved greatly: many listeners outside jazz call it innovative, a forerunner of funk, post-punk, electronica and hip hop.

Listening

Track list

1. 1On the Corner / New York Girl / Thinkin' of One Thing and Doin' Another / Vote for Miles19:59Apple Music ↗
2. 2Black Satin5:20Apple Music ↗
3. 3One and One6:09Apple Music ↗
4. 4Helen Butte / Mr. Freedom X23:18Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗