oh, ok hit me

Album Rating: 4.0

As an aside, the beginning of the title track, with the delayed trumpets that sound like a reveille. That bit always annoys me no end, because there's nothing cool going on there. It just feels like Miles has just discovered delay and is fucking around with it and passing it off as music. There are moments like that scattered throughout the album. Still waiting on the barking dog...

I hate the title track but Pharaos Dance is incredible though

Album Rating: 5.0

@SitarHero

Well, the thing about Miles is that he just loved to set up ambiences. Ever since the modal phase of the early 60s, there were various compositions where it feels like him and the band are just warming up or taking too long to make a point-- i.e. playing a few exercises at random to set the tone for the jam or (particularly in the 70s) just tripping out. This album has a lot to do with atmosphere, Miles was big on that for a while. That's what the intro of the title track is meant to be, it's meant to simulate some kind of abnormal experience, like you're entering some weird acid trip and then it just erupts all of sudden into the jam. This album, I think, is more about the music providing an experience rather than just a set of tunes to listen to.

Album Rating: 4.0

@Pepper, I sort of understand what Miles is going for, but I just don't think it works. I know he's not just warming up, because that (I think of it as an elephant mating call/reveille bugle) motif is repeated throughout the track, but whatever mood it's trying to set, I'm just not feeling. Maybe my opinion of his purposeful abrasiveness will change over time, but for now, some portions of the album just strikes me as un-redeemably unmusical. Whereas other portions of dissonance sit much better with me.

Album Rating: 4.0

irredeemably*

Album Rating: 5.0

@Sitar

I personally love that intro to "bitches brew". I thought it was really surreal when I heard it and it just clicked, but to be honest this album as a whole is hard to get into. It mixes a lot of obscure aspects of not just jazz, but various experimental concepts of that time from other genres, which makes it difficult to enjoy sometimes. It took me several listens to not just grasp what Miles is doing, but to sincerely enjoy.



Though between you and me, even though I think this album is genius and was instrumental in spreading the fusion trend, I mainly listen to it now for "Miles Runs The Voodoo Down", the title track, and occasionally "Sanctuary".

Album Rating: 4.0

Miles Runs the Voodoo Down and Sanctuary are pretty awesome agreed. Overall, I think the second half of the album is somewhat less experimental, but much more accessible and enjoyable (to me). I'm sure there are other people who agree with you too and prefer the title-track.

First ever Fusion record?

Album Rating: 5.0

Actually, meet "jazz n' roll":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf95lF1Nb5Y



This is the Free Spirits, a mid 60s psych rock band that dabbled in early fusion. Check out From Out of Sight and Sound- pretty fun album for anyone who likes psych rock and fusion.

Album Rating: 4.0

But everybody knows Muddy Waters invented electricity.

@SgtPepper: I'll check that link in a minute, the band name sounds familiar.

I think there were quite a lot of bands/artists during the mid to late 60's that dabbled with the sort of jazz meets rock sound that would become known as jazz fusion.

Also artists such Terje Rypdal (extremely underrated guitarist) and David Axelrod were playing what could be described as jazz fusion prior to this albums release too.

Album Rating: 5.0

@Jamie

Yeah, there's was a lot of jazz elements being explored by rock bands in the late 60s, that really paved the way-- especially the psychedelic scenes.



I can't say that I've heard of Terje Rypdal. What's he/she like?

He's a jazz guitarist that has a really emotive playing style that's quite unique for the type of music he plays. Check out the album Odyssey, it's a double album that brings together jazz fusion/jazz-rock and avant-garde jazz with some really melodic compositions and beautiful guitar playing. Imagine a guitarist like David Gilmour playing experimental, atmospheric jazz (fusion).

Album Rating: 4.5

I'm gonna listen to this now.

Album Rating: 4.5

don't expect too much off first listen

Album Rating: 5.0

@Jamie

He sounds cool. I'll give him a listen. I swear, man, you always know all these great artists.

Album Rating: 4.5

Bit of a jazz noob tbh.

Album Rating: 5.0

@Lebowski

No worries, man. This side of jazz is very hit or miss. It's a tough album to get into, but hopefully you dig it. Go with "Sanctuary"

for a chill (but occasionally wild) song or "Miles runs the voodoo down" for a funky kind of jam-- they're, I think, the easiest

songs to take.

Album Rating: 4.5

Im on Pharaohs Dance now and fuck, this shit is all over the place haha.