Miles Davis - Nefertiti
Nefertiti is a highly acclaimed 1968 album by American jazz musician Miles Davis, notable as his last entirely acoustic recording before transitioning into jazz fusion. It features his "second great quintet" at the peak of their collaborative powers, known for their innovative interplay.
Nefertiti is a seminal work in post-bop jazz, celebrated for its experimental nature and intricate dynamic between the musicians. • Innovative Structure: The title track is particularly famous for its unusual arrangement, where the horn section (Davis and Shorter) repeatedly plays the melody, while the rhythm section (Hancock, Carter, and Williams) provides the dynamic, free-flowing improvisational core, effectively reversing traditional jazz roles. • Interplay: Reviewers consistently praise the "inquisitive interplay" and "subconscious impressionism" of the quintet, highlighting how the musicians listen and respond to each other, creating a rich, evolving soundscape. • Transitional Album: It is widely considered a "last necessary step" or a "thematic bookend" to the all-acoustic era, signaling the avant-garde and rhythmic explorations that would lead to Davis' groundbreaking jazz fusion albums like Miles in the Sky and In a Silent Way. • Drumming Showcase: Tony Williams' drumming is frequently singled out as one of the album's most dynamic elements, with critics describing his performance as "on fire throughout" and a "masterclass".
