Miles Davis
The Fusion Years
The fusion years of Miles Davis (1968-1975) has for a long time, been regarded as an era where most purists had turned their backs to his new sound. No longer was Miles playing his standard repertoire. He was getting into Sly and the Family Stone, James Brown and Karl Stockhausen. He also wanted to get his music to African Americans too. Aside from Bitches Brew and In a Silent Way, most of his albums released during that time were criticized and had not generated much interest relative to his 1950's and 1960's stuff. Only recently there has been a resurgence of his fusion years. It was this period that I find quite interesting. Looking back, Miles has influenced many young musicains with this his groundbreaking style. The acoustic stuff, you should all know (if fans are here at this site), will be put up at a later date.
In A Silent Way (1969): Miles' first full-fledged fusion album was in my opinion, the most lyrical. The two tracks, " Shhh....Peaceful" and "In A Silent Way/It's About That Time" are beautifully constructed with melodic, flowing horn playing that never gets old. Miles would never play like in his later fusion albums (except Sanctuary on Bitches Brew). A must for fans.
Bitches Brew (1970): This was the album that put fusion on the map. Teamed up with a whole group of former and present sidemen, Bitches Brew was Miles' most commercial production at the time and it brought him closer to the rock world that enabled him to play in larger arenas and more people. My favorite track is probably Spanish Key which is a jam that begins slowly that developes into a great wall of sound. Sanctuary is a mellow piece which shows that Davis can bring out the emotion. The whole album is great and Columbia has since released the complete Bitches Brew sessions. Cool deal.
Black Beauty (1970): A nice live date at the Fillmore West. This unlike the next selection below, doesn't have Chick Corea. Nevertheless this two disc album showcases the Bitches Brew sessions and I personally like the second disc better. Highlights are Spanish Key and Bitches Brew. A good CD to have, but I think the Fillmore East is a bit better because of the Jarret/Corea interaction and the music is more tight.
Miles at the Fillmore (1970): One of his best live sets. This was a date where Miles startled many in the audience. This was a whole new thing for many people (wasn't only 2 years ago that he did an all acoustic set?). The double album have four tracks starting with Thursday Milles and ends with Saturday Miles. It has a medley of tracks from Bitches Brew with a Paraphenalia from "Miles In the Sky." The best is Friday Miles. What's also cool is that both Keith Jarret and Chick Corea is on this date. Essential.
A Tribute to Jack Johnson (1970): A soundtrack that really is comprised of two tracks, "Yesternow," and "Right Off." Great tunes to rock out to featuring John McLaughlin (his riffs are great). A good album to get that most fans find as a very underrated gem.
Live-Evil (1971): One of my favorite ones. Here Miles gets more electric; his horn becomes electric more with an added "wha " sound as well. The band that he has rocks more with tracks like "What I'd Say" and "Gemini." A double album, Miles starts rocking and never stops...I can't stand the singer in between some of the tracks (can't remember the name it's been a while). The album ends with a narration that seems fitting. Wonderful.
