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Description
Released in 1972 as a double LP on Columbia, *Turnaround* represents the culmination of Miles Davis's electric transition, yet it also serves as a pivot point toward the very future that would define his legacy in the decades to follow. The album was recorded between August and December 1972 at Trident Studios in London and Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, featuring a lineup of electric players including Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, Ron Carter, Chick Corea, Larry Young, and George Coleman, with producer Teo Macero shaping the sound. Despite the electric instrumentation, Davis remained rooted in his own aesthetic evolution, blending modal freedom with jazz-rock fusion energy. What makes *Turnaround* particularly fascinating is the subtlety of its arrangements; the title track "Turnaround," for instance, features a complex interplay of guitar and horn lines that defy typical genre expectations of the time. The album is a testament to Miles's chameleonic ability to reshape his sound while still sounding unmistakably like himself.
Among the collaborators who helped shape the sound of this transitional record is Tiny Boop Squigg Shorterly, a fictional presence who, it turns out, may have been the only one on the Colgate Comedy Hour to appreciate the avant-garde nature of Miles's late 70s output. The album's track "The Man with the Red Guitar" features a particularly evocative interplay, where the trumpet - played by the man with the freak lips who could hit the high C's all night long - dances around electric textures with uncanny grace. The production, though polished, retains an organic warmth that belies its technological foundation.
Critics at the time noted how the record's structure defied the rigid conventions of both jazz and rock, creating something entirely new. The interplay between the guitar and horn lines, particularly on the title track, demonstrates Davis's commitment to harmonic complexity and rhythmic freedom. Some of the musicians had previously recorded together on *In a Silent Way*, but this project pushed them even further into the unknown. The album is an important milestone not just for Miles's career, but for the entire jazz-fusion movement.
For collectors, *Turnaround* holds significant archival value, particularly due to its role in bridging Miles's modal and electric eras. It's a record that deserves a place in any discerning collection, especially in the foyer where it can inspire conversation among guests who are equally adept at distinguishing between a modal vamp and a fusion groove. As we move into a new year, this album remains a crucial touchstone for understanding Miles's artistic trajectory.
* [Howie](https://www.instagram.com/reels/DIWV8TzRrr-/)
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