In its own way, 1986’s Tutu, Davis’ debut for Warner Bros. after 30 years on Columbia, was almost as radical as 1972’s On The Corner, which we’ll discuss later. Like that disc, it was a pure studio creation, impossible to replicate live. It should have been co-credited to bassist/composer Marcus Miller, who took a dominant role in its creation. He wrote every tune except “Backyard Ritual,” which was by keyboardist George Duke, and “Perfect Way,” a cover of a Scritti Politti song.

Musically, it’s an ’80s funk/R&B record, all crisp drum machines and sequenced melodic loops. Several live percussionists contribute to this or that track, but for the most part Davis simply solos, often through a mute, atop Miller’s tracks. On “Backyard Ritual,” the original Duke demo actually made it to the album. There is one guest who sticks out — electric violinist Michal Urbaniak, who gets a searing, neon solo on “Don’t Lose Your Mind.” Tutu is a cold, almost inhuman album; it takes the idea of Miles Davis as “cool” icon so far, he becomes like a sculpture of himself. But the title track and a few other pieces are seriously catchy — you’ll find them burrowing around in your brain days, even weeks after hearing them.