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#78 Miles Davis - Bitches Brew


Columbia, 1970
Jazz Fusion

This record may not be for everyone, but I love it. It's intense and weird and wonderful, and can be appreciated on so many levels.

My friends and I discovered this album in high school, courtesy of Mr. B's excellent teaching. Juele managed to rip a cassette somewhere, and we'd tour around in her parent's van. Listening to this record late at night driving rural roads is pretty surreal. Complimenting our own night  travels, the music seems to encapsulate thousands of years of history. There is beauty and strength and pride and sorrow and anger. This album is an experience. 

I taught African Canadian Studies a couple of times in recent years, and I feel like that experience (an incredible experience) has added a new dimension to my listening when I play this record. I felt like I knew a fair amount of history beforehand, but I learned so, so much more; and when I listen to this album, I feel some of that same thrill of discovery and amazment at the truly wonderous history of Africa and peoples of African descent. Of course, I can only speculate about Davis' intentions. Suffice it to say, this is a unique and really exciting album, and is well worth keeping in the collection. 

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