A TRIBUTE TO JACK JOHNSON

Coming after the groundbreaking works of In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew, TRIBUTE TO JACK JOHNSON. It is clearly less ambitious, both in conception and scope. Instead, MIles dedicates himself to record a real rock and roll album. JACK JOHNSON is also the last album of the seventies that he would record with an acoustic trumpet.

Right Off, that takes all side A, is the most conventional rock track Miles ever recorded. If it were not for his guitar-like trumpet one could hardly say that this was recorded by a jazzman. It is a very good track, but I regret the fact that in its 25 minutes, only the very last are devoted to a John McLaughlin's solo. It is also clear that John is not aiming for virtuosity here, but for rock and roll's raw power.

Yesternow turns the volume and speed down considerably. It lacks, though, the inspiration, the novelty and the melodic appeal of the track in In a Silent Way, to which it is related. Therefore, I see it as a bit of a disappointment. It is mostly because of it that I take one star off from JACK JOHNSON.

One could say this is his most "conservative" album from the period. It is certainly (for me, at least) not his most original. But if you look from the jazz standpoint, it is the most radical departure from jazz form, and I respect that.

It is clear that, after the free floating orgasmic chaos of Bitches Brew, Miles was looking for a cleaner sound. JACK JOHNSON is not exactly his most rock and roll album. Right Off is his most rock and roll track, that's what it is. Thinking of it, some see JACK JOHNSON as the full realisation of Miles's fusion, and some other even as his best fusion album. I disagree. But you cannot fairly ask for a revolution per year.