You know the more I listen to Prince's recent output the more I hear (Electric) Miles Davis's influence from the "Rainbow Children" to "In a large room with no light". In an interview Renato spoke about opening up the music and giving it a jazzy free form. If you take a listen to Miles live recordings, approach, and staging around the "bitches brew" era you will see the similarities. In addition, many fans in that period claimed that miles sold out his original sound and accused him of chasing trends in much the same way as Princes. I recently re-viewed Miles at the Isle Of Wight Music Festival in 1970 and miles 80's jazz, funk, fusion work and I can see how Prince might feel the funk of this work. Anyone else hear his influence? I know Prince was a fan of his late work.

I think he's definitely inspired by that era. Personally though, I think Prince's interpretation of "fusion" (for lack of a better word) is probably more in line with Chic Corea/Return To Forever and Herbie Hancock more so than Miles's 70s stuff. Chic and Herbie were a little more funky and melodic, and a little more 'arranged'. A lot of Miles's 70s stuff was bordering on atonal "soundscape" kind of music. I think the closest Miles album is probably In A Silent Way.

By the mid 1980s, Miles himself was influenced by 80s pop - in particular Prince and Michael Jackson.

Yeah, I can definitely hear the 'Herbie-ness' in Renato's playing. Reminds me of Silent Way, but also Filles De Kilimanjaro, and Miles in the Sky. The tail end of Miles' 60's quintet recordings I guess. The keys solo in Large Room reminded me of the live Dorothy Parker from It Aint Over. Great jamming!
I'd love to hear Prince on the keys more, ripping up solos like he did on Sexy Dancer, or even Come on pt 2, that live one with the microkorg.

Always thought the madhouse stuff could do with a bit more muddying up of the harmony, a la Bitches Brew. I guess if Prince were ever gonna write any truly 'jazz' changes he would have by now, but I like the freedom he's working into stiff. Large Room felt very fresh, and the non 4/4 time signature bit was fantastic! Let's hope he's feeling like doing more of this stuff.

Rainbow children (the track) was definitely the closest he's come to real jazz for me (whatever 'real jazz' is...i guess I mean "not pop-jazz a la courtin time). Maybe also 'Get Some Solo' from the Cream Maxi-single (was that Levi soloing?)

It was nice round '88 to hear Prince not only play with Miles, but quote Parker and Ellington in the horn arrangements. The A Train riff has been used on and off over the years. During that paisley concert, I love the scat-off he has with Miles.

When oh when will he take a leaf out of Sco's book and use MMW as his rhythm section, he needs some Nyawlins in his grooves. I guess he's from about as far away from NOLA as you can get and still be in the country...

"Can Play With U?" was the bootleg jam between these two great artists and then they worked together on "Sticky Wicked" for Chaka Khan. I also have a version of Miles Davis playing "Movie Star" at one of his shows.

Priceless music by real musicians!
[Edited 7/21/09 1:41am]

Yes, Miles Davis spoke highly of Prince during that time

Dayclear said:

An album between these two would've been amazing and broke all the rules in regards to musical pairings.

HonestMan13 said:

"Movie Star" was performed live in Avignon (south side France) 1988!

Dayclear said:

...he sure did...but prince was a bit shy...but then so was miles davis...these 2 could of done WONDERS if the Lord had not taken Mr miles so soon
..opportunities should be taken when they are offered...yes i believe in that..
.
..i have always has major respect 4 mr.davis(we are born on the same date)...and 4 prince...
.
...Miles Davis is here...his spirit is strong and it guides you..
..mzsexybaby

definitely. I was thinking the same thing.
[Edited 7/22/09 16:44pm]

fenderbender said:

Miles and P were definitely close during the late '80s. I remember while I was struggling to learn my trumpet during high school that I came across Miles thru P with Tutu during Ps Parade era. According to his autobiography, Miles spoke extremely highly of P and Jimi and Miles wasn't the type to speak like that even among his jazz peers and especially about pop/rock artists. As far as the MJ/P/Madonna comparisons, P always maintained that if people felt compelled to compare him with anyone then why not Miles and Coltrane. I have almost every recording of Miles and obviously all recordings of P and as a musician I definitely see the link between the two.

Smittyrock70 said:

...Mr. Davis...did speak VERY HIGHLY of Mr. Nelson....(i can't help it either )
..mzsexybaby'I LOOK AT ....AND I C A MASTER-PIECE'