A Tribute to Jack Johnson

Conceived as a soundtrack for a documentary on boxer Jack Johnson, 'A Tribute to Jack Johnson' channels its subject's defiant energy into a raw and aggressive fusion of hard rock and funk. The album is constructed from two extended tracks, "Right Off" and "Yesternow," which producer Teo Macero edited together from lengthy, improvisational studio jams. Leaving behind the dense textures of 'Bitches Brew', the album features a stripped-down, rock-oriented lineup, showcasing John McLaughlin's searing guitar and Michael Henderson's driving funk basslines, while Davis himself plays with a sharp, forceful tone that embodies the music's pugilistic power.