Miles Davis - In a Silent Way

Miles Davis's famous mid-1960s quintet, featuring saxophonist Wayne Shorter and pianist Herbie Hancock, was intact until just a few weeks before his new, electric ensemble recorded In a Silent Way. Legendary as a kind of line in the sand challenging jazz fans during the ascendance of electric, psychedelic rock, In a Silent Way hinted at the repetitive polyrhythms Davis would employ throughout the early 1970s. It also partook generously of electric piano and bass and rekindled the tonal palette that Davis had explored famously with Kind of Blue. But In a Silent Way remains a clearly electric jazz record, part ambient color exploration, part rock-inflected energy and vibe, and part outright maverick creativity. Davis takes many long, breathy solos, and they glisten in a burnished blue against his new group's strange admixture of musical moods. --Andrew Bartlett Amazon.com

The Birth of the Electric Cool

In slightly over 38 minutes, Miles Davis revolutionized jazz with his delving into an electric fusion sound.

Subtle and atmospheric in its approach, the background colors are painted by a trio of keyboard players - Chick Corea & Herbie Hancock (electric piano) and Joe Zawinful (organ) - as Tony Williams (drums) and Dave Holland (bass) masterfully guide the rhythm.

A young British electric guitarist, John McLaughlin, is highly expressive in his solos, but this landmark release is all about Miles as band leader and soloist.

Taking a mixture of jazz, blues, r&b and rock, providing incredible depth for creativity from each musician and demonstrating why he is the man with the horn, Davis has a vision that still sounds fresh nearly 40 years later.

It also cannot be understated that the editing and arrangement of producer Teo Macero provides a unique exposition, development and recapitulation to the pieces.

This is an essential CD in the exploration of music that started an incredible and continuing journey, from the title page to the text. June 24, 2008

It's about time

(I'm dating myself but) I remember clearly the day I first heard this music, playing in the Papyrus bookstore on Broadway between 114th and 115th St. (?). About 11:00 in the morning. The album had just been released. I recognized it and came to love it immediately....music so unlike anything else I had heard and so directly connected to the pure idea of 'Beauty'.

The bookstore is long gone. I've heard this album a hundred times since, and there is no point in pretending the fresh, wonderful shock of discovery hasn't disappeared. But it is still undeniably beautiful. And listening now it is amazing to recognizing how many hundreds of records made since have referenced it.

Anyone who hasn't heard this is missing out.

(god bless miles)


May 21, 2008

Incredible music from an all-star group!

This album is simply incredible! Just take a look at the all-star list of names: Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, John McLaughlin, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul, Dave Holland, and Tony Williams; a who's-who of the jazz fusion movement. There are only two tracks on this album, but they both weigh in at nearly 20 minutes each. The musicianship on this album is unbelievable, with tons of subtlety that will bring you back again and again.

This album is a great way to relax after a stressful day at work, and is a must-own for any jazz fusion fan! April 4, 2008

One of my favorite jazz recordings

In A Silent Way is not only one of my favorite Miles Davis albums, but it also is one of my favorite albums of all-time. This was the first Miles Davis CD that I bought and this album is a masterpiece and the music is very calm & relaxing. There are 2 songs on this album, both nearing 20 minutes bringing up to 40 minutes of music. Also, his trumpet is great on this album. I think that this album should present in the Definitive 200 list. I think for every true music fan this album should present in the collection. March 6, 2008

A must have

Miles, Corea, Hancock, Zawinul, Shorter, McLaughlin, Holland, Williams.
This is one of the greatest fusion line ups of all time. With this album Miles Davis turned jazz on to a brilliant road of modern sound and talent. SHHH/Peaceful starts out the album with beautiful melodies and the classic dissonant Davis stabs that were really brought out on this and Bitch's Brew. For having three keys going on at basically the same time, Corea, Hancock, and Zawinul work amazingly well and create pure magic and harmony. This album jumpstarted an entire way of composing, thinking, and playing jazz that ultimately shaped music today in more ways than we will ever know. Miles Davis will remain as being one of the most creative and cutting edge jazz virtuosos of all time. February 19, 2008

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