Nefertiti (album)

Infobox Album |
Name = Nefertiti
Type = studio
Artist = Miles Davis


Released = 1968
Recorded = June 7 and July 19, 1967
30th Street Studio
(New York, New York)
Genre = Jazz
Length = 39:15 (Original LP)
62:34 (CD Reissue)
Label = Columbia
CS-9594
Producer = Teo Macero (Side one)
Howard Roberts (Side two)
Reviews =
*Allmusic rating|5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:ymf4zfg7eh2k link]
*"Penguin Guide to Jazz" Rating|3.5|4 [http://www.acclaimedmusic.net/Current/A1983.htm link]
*"Q" Rating|5|5 [http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/1088982/a/Nefertiti.htm link]
*Warr.org Rating|4|5 [http://www.warr.org/miles.html#Nefertiti link]
Last album = "Sorcerer
(1967)
This album = "Nefertiti"
(1968)
Next album = "Miles in the Sky"
(1968)

"Nefertiti" is a studio album by jazz musician Miles Davis, released in 1968 on Columbia Records.cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/release/1410360 |title=Miles Davis Quintet 1965-'68: The Complete Columbia Studio Recordings of the Miles Davis Quintet - Notes |publisher=Discogs |accessdate=2008-07-31] Recorded on June 7 and July 19, 1967 at Columbia's 30th Street Studio, the album was Davis' last fully acoustic album. Davis himself did not contribute anything in the way of compositions, which are mostly written by Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter.cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:difyxqtgldhe~T0 |title=allmusic { Nefertiti > Overview } |publisher=All Media Guide, LLC. |accessdate=2008-07-31] The album reached #8 on the Billboard Top Jazz Albums charts in 1968.cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:difyxqtgldhe~T3 |title=allmusic { Nefertiti > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums } |publisher=All Media Guide, LLC. |accessdate=2008-07-31] "Nefertiti" was reissued, CK-65681, in 1998 by Columbia and Legacy Records.cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/release/219046 |title=Discogs.com - Miles Davis - Nefertiti |publisher=Discogs |accessdate=2008-07-31]

Music

The fourth album by Miles Davis' second classic quintet, "Nefertiti" is best known for the unusual title track, on which the horn section repeats the melody numerous times without individual solos while the rhythm section improvises underneath, reversing the traditional role of a rhythm section. Also featured are the lilting ballad "Fall", Williams's "Hand Jive", a more boppish composition, and the other pieces showcase the group's unique post-bop approach. Both "Nefertiti" and "Riot" entered the Davis quintet's live set. Featuring mostly acoustic arrangements, the music of "Nefertiti", while mostly low-key mood music, is rooted in hard bop. While remaining acoustic, the album signaled Miles Davis' transition from bop and modal to jazz fusion.

As a transition for Davis, the impressionistic chords of the songs hint at the conception of his next albums, "Miles in the Sky" and the critically acclaimed "In a Silent Way", his first two fusion albums. Following "Nefertiti"'s release, Davis would begin to experiment with electric instruments, marking the beginning of his electric period.cite web |url=http://www.slate.com/id/3160/ |title=Jazz Democracy - By Adam Shatz - Slate Magazine |publisher=Washington Post.Newsweek Interactive Co. LLC |accessdate=2008-07-31]

Track listing

"All songs written by Wayne Shorter, except where noted."

ide one

#"Nefertiti" – 7:52
#"Fall" – 6:39
#"Hand Jive" (Williams) – 8:54

ide two

#"Madness" (Hancock) – 7:31
#"Riot" (Hancock) – 3:04
#"Pinocchio" – 5:08

CD reissue includes alternate takes of "Hand Jive" (two takes), "Madness" and "Pinocchio".

Chart history

Billboard Music Charts (North America) – "Nefertiti"
*1968: Top Jazz Albums – #8

Personnel

Musicians

* Miles Davis - trumpet
* Wayne Shorter - tenor saxophone
* Herbie Hancock - piano
* Ron Carter - double bass
* Tony Williams - drums

Additional personnel

* Teo Macero – producer
* Howard Roberts – producer
* Fred Plaut, Ray Moore – engineer
* Rob Schwarz – mastering

References