Review Summary: "...Who is this Music, that which description can never justify?"
Miles Davis has always been the kind of musician that has never been content in settling with just one genre. Often experimenting, and fusing musical approaches to create something fresh. The albums of Miles' Electric period contained music that is very abstract, amalgamating the ambient nature of Psychedelic Rock with the enthusiasm for free-form improvisations that are found in Jazz. The content of
Live-Evil truly reflects the philosophy of Miles' spiritual predecessor,
Bitches Brew. The music of Bitches Brew were not just mere Jazz compositions, they were the recipes for a spell. A work of sorcery- a magical brew that invited any curious enthusiast to embark on it's trance. The music of Live-Evil shares that similar aesthetic, evocative and impressionistic. Coated in darkness, yet exhibiting that irresistibly alluring quality.
We begin with
"Sivad". It opens with a jubilant introduction, a barrage of sounds flourishing with intensity, yet exquisitely coordinated. But all this elevation soon comes to a stop as Miles reveals to us that there are still a few spells of sorcery in his bag.
"Sivad" then enters into a more delicate atmosphere brewed by the musicians, having us descend into that familiar trancing state of mind, entering a realm of instrumental mysticism. Live-Evil is a truly mesmerizing performance, as Miles Davis is coming at us from all directions. Tracks like
"Little Church" display how Miles' band can project delicate ambiences, just as easily as they can produce instrumental eruptions of utter aggression, like the ones encountered in
"What I Say" and
"Funky Tunk". And it's all orchestrated with such confidence. The dextrous coalescence of different musical approaches within this album's content almost make this performance too overwhelming for the senses. And that is perhaps the true beauty behind Live-Evil, the willingness to experiment with the music.
"Medley: Gemini/Double Image", for example, presents itself in such a lethargic mood, yet it releases these mind-altering sounds reminiscent of psychedelia.
"Inamorata", on the other hand, represents the more energetic side of the album, while also reflecting that same spellbinding hypnotism of Bitches Brew.
"Inamorata" redefines Jazz Fusion- This is Miles and his band showing absolutely no self-restrain, and unleashing an excessive series of solos appearing and vanishing in a free-form environment. This is a truly magnificent performance, containing music that transcends past traditional Jazz as it incorporates other genres such as; Psychedelia, Funk, and Rock. This is one of the most definitive Jazz Fusion records in the discography of Miles Davis and must be heard by any fan.
