 
When Miles Davis and Bob Dylan decided to change their musical directions and go “electric,” they each created a revolution within their respective genres. They pissed off many of their old fans, but gained a whole new audience in the process. When Miles released Bitches Brew – a masterpiece of jazz-rock fusion, there were many who found the album to be completely unlistenable, yet it helped to change the face of jazz as we know it. In 1970, Miles traveled to England to appear at the Isle Of Wight festival in front of 600,000 people – the largest crowd he or any other jazz act had faced at the time. Along for the ride was a stellar group of musicians that included Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Jack DeJohnette, Dave Holland, Gary Bartz and Airto, who blew the audience away with a 38-minute jam session. When Miles was asked the name of the piece, he replied: “call it anything,” which later became the unofficial title. In the interviews preceding the concert footage, both Corea and Jarrett mention how uncomfortable they felt performing on electric keyboards and organ, but how they rose to the challenge that Miles had laid down. The performance is nothing short of intense and (pardon the expression) electrifying, with musicians simultaneously lost in their individual instrument, but finding their center with their fellow band members. The series of interviews with the band, Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock, Joni Mitchell and others is fascinating for the insight into the legendary trumpeter and the evolution of his music. This is by far, the best Miles disc out so far. You need this. -- David Bassin
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Miles
Davis