School of Rock
Random article All articles A–Z
2 languages

Tutu

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

Tutu is Miles Davis's tribute to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the human rights activist and opponent of apartheid. Some of the tracks were first intended as a collaboration with Prince, but he dropped out. Davis then worked with bassist and multi-instrumentalist Marcus Miller, who wrote and arranged almost everything and played most of the instruments himself. Recording took place mainly at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles and Clinton Recording in New York. The music is strongly influenced by the R&B and funk of the mid-1980s, with many synthesizers, sequencers and drum machines.

The album was released on 29 September 1986 on Warner Bros. Records and divided critics. It attracted a young new audience, but many jazz lovers dropped away because of the drum machines and synthesizers. Others felt that the music gave his improvisations a fine setting. He won a Grammy for it.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Tomaas and notice the reggae-like beat and Marcus Miller's bass line. Hear how the trumpet and the soprano saxophone respond briefly to one another in turn.

Track list

  1. 1Tutu5:15Apple Music ↗
  2. 2Tomaas5:36Apple Music ↗
  3. 3Portia6:17Apple Music ↗
  4. 4Splatch4:44Apple Music ↗
  5. 5Backyard Ritual4:48Apple Music ↗
  6. 6Perfect Way4:34Apple Music ↗
  7. 7Don't Lose Your Mind5:50Apple Music ↗
  8. 8Full Nelson5:08Apple Music ↗

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

Categories: Albums and songs