Do you like jazz? Personally, that’s a question this writer has always somewhat struggled to answer. The short answer is: yes. The longer answer is, yes, I like the concept of jazz, it’s cool, it’s a vibe, it’s a headspace, it can be complex, it can be soothing, there’s a lot to like about it, but I rarely actually listen to it, like, intentionally. You may or may not be able to relate to that, but whatever the case, there’s always been something about Miles Davis’s late 60s/early 70s-era of experimental, funky, psychedelic-rock-infused jazz (a la “Bitches Brew”) that has particularly piqued this writer’s interest. That probably has a lot to do with all the electric instrumentation baked into the presentation, which not only naturally gave the music a bit more “umph” but also allowed Davis to stretch the limits of what jazz could actually sound like (not to mention what rock itself could sound like).
Which is why this captivating performance, live from Tokyo in 1973, is so enthralling: it captures Davis and his dynamite band jamming for damn near an hour straight. If the opening drum salvo doesn’t lure you in, keep it playing in the background as you go about your web-browsing, household chores, anything really, and chances are it will provide a delightfully energetic and spicy background soundtrack.
