BITCHES BREW

Does it get any more classic or classy than this? This double album from 1970 just cries out sophistication from the very first note and no doubt considering the lineup. Some of the absolute best in all of jazz is here to offer up some of the tastiest fusion ever to grace the eardrums and despite being more on the jazz side of the equation than rock it still does both and unapologetically surpassing all that came before including Miles' own attempt on his previous album IN A SILENT WAY.

Although Miles opened the doors with fusing the jazz side of music with rock features on that album, this was this album that burst open the flood gates and allowed the slew of musicians to cross-pollinate all the musical ambitions that had been veering closer together throughout the 60s. In fact John McLaughlin on this album would soon go on to up the ante even more with The Mahavishnu Orchestra as well as Chick Corea with the revered Return To Forever.

The rest of the lineup is none other than absolutely phenomenal and Miles has never sounded better on his trademark trumpet and that I must say is a tall order indeed since he has more classic jazz albums than should be permitted by law single-handedly ushering in everything from cool to modal jazz. A triumph in the first degree. Not only did Miles utilize the current technology of the day and expanded it beyond previous limitations but also utilized the songwriting techniques of other world music such as the Indian raga in his fusion to create long symphonic orchestral pieces. I'd give this more than five stars if I could.