A Tribute to Jack Johnson

Description

A Tribute to Jack JohnsonCombines Electric Fusion, Slashing Rock, and Aggressive Funk: 1971 Miles Davis Set Features Guitarist John McLaughlin, Sounds Vibrant on Vinyl LP

Michael Hendersonlaunches into an enormous boogie groove withBilly CobhamandJohn McLaughlin. Miles immediately leaves the control room to join in with them. He achieved exactly what he wanted for the soundtrack of the documentary devoted to the black boxer Jack Johnson by creating the effect of a train going at full speed (which he compared to the force of a boxer). That’s how side A of the 1971 LPA Tribute To Jack Johnsonbegins. By chance,Herbie Hancockhad arrived unexpectedly and started playing on a cheap keyboard that a sound engineer quickly connected. Later,Teo Macerotaped McLaughlin’s riff on “Sing A Simple Song” by Sly Stone. Side B begins with a bass riff inspired by James Brown’s “Say It Loud” and ends with “Willie Nelson,” a piece recorded in a previous session. An a cappella improvisation by Miles, arranged in a variety of ways by Macero, was featured as a leitmotif throughout; a phrase spoken by Brock Peters was superimposed as a coda. Columbia didn’t believe in this album and hastily released it. Today it is a cult record and strong seller.

Musicians:
Miles Davis (trumpet)
John McLaughlin (guitar)
Herbie Hancock (keyboards)
Michael Henderson (bass)
Billy Cobham (drums)
Steve Grossman (saxophone)

1. Right Off
2. Yesternow