Track Listing

1. Right Off
2. Yesternow

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #26027 in Music
• Released on: 2005-04-04
• Number of discs: 1

CD Description
A TRIBUTE TO JACK JOHNSON was originally conceived as the soundtrack for a documentary on the life of the first AfricanAmerican heavyweight boxing champion, but the album stands on its own as one of the most brilliant, compelling fusion recordings ever made. This is due in large part to the increasing influence of rock and funk on Miles's aesthetic, to thesuperb musicians (including Davis himself-- who turns in some stunningly vigorous solos), and in part to the productionskills of Teo Macero, who collaged the album together from numerous jam sessions into two lengthy, majestic tracks. Theinfectious boogaloo groove of "Right Off" has John McLaughlin's crunching, wah-wah-driven power chords dancing fervently around the relentless backbeat of Fender bassist Michael Henderson and drummer Billy Cobham. Gone are the trappings ofbebop harmonies and modern jazz rhythms, save for Davis's dramatic solo, with its long, linear melodies and nasty bluesinflections. The haunting, surreal "Yesternow" is an abstract update of the classic Miles/Gil Evans mood piece. The groove accrues momentum in a dreamy, backwards manner, keying off Henderson's hypnotic modal patterns and McLaughlin's speech-like figures, culminating in an atonal distortion solo byfree jazz pioneer Sonny Sharrock. In all, JACK JOHNSON packs a punch like nothing else in the trumpeter's canon, and continues to grow in stature and influence decades after its release.

Customer Reviews

A Tribute to Jack Johnson...
For those who can't afford the epic 'Complete' box-set of these sessions and are underwhelmed by the poor-sounding 1992-reissue of it, will be pleased that this brilliant soundtrack is available in something like a definitive sounding version.

Miles released many albums in his career, as such 'Jack Johnson' gets overlooked - which is a shame, as it's a definite fave of mine, though a release that alienated jazz-purists with its emphasis on guitar. 'Jack Johnson' advances on the rock-fusion stylings of 'Bitches Brew' and moves toward the fantastic rock-funk of 'On the Corner.' Davis is assisted by such players as Herbie Hancock, John McLaughlin, Bill Cobham, Michael Henderson & Steve Grossman. To me this sounds less like jazz, and has more in common with head-music of the time made by acts like Can, Faust, Mahavishnu Orchestra (who McLaughlin was a member of) & The White Noise.

Just two epic-tracks, 'Right Off' and 'Yesternow', but two hypnotic works that suitably blow the mind; this is probably more jazz for people who don't like jazz - fans or funk or rock would love this if unfamiliar. It's less-harsh than 'Bitches Brew' or 'On the Corner' (which appear to alienate some listeners initially, as they get their heads round it) and I'd say 'Jack Johnson' is an ideal primer in this period of Miles' music as 'The Birth of the Cool' or 'Kind of Blue' were for earlier phases....

Great to see reissued, and part of a sequence of Miles-releases I favour the most- 'Big Fun', 'Live Evil', 'Get Up With It', 'In a Silent Way', 'Bitches Brew', 'Dark Magus' & 'On the Corner.' The only quibble is the fact that his co-players really deserve a credit for their immense contribution. Incidentally, the sleevenotes where Miles nods to J.J. are fantastic...

The Great Miles Rock Album
The Penguin Guide To Jazz says that in 50 years time this album will be seen in the same or an even greater light than Bitches Brew. And I cannot disagree. Blistering playing from McLaughlin and Hancock and full on amplified Miles trumpet make the opening track (20 odd minutes from memory) a blast.

This is probably a rock album played by jazz musicians but even coming from the era when most of the great rock was produced this is right up there. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Pretty darn funky!
This is basically a 60 min jam. There isnt too much too it, but there is some really great playing, not least by McLaughlin. It's a worthy addition to any Miles collection....rock on fellas!!!