Live in Berlin 1969

Recorded while on tour in Europe, Live in Berlin 1969 features legendary jazz trumpeter Miles Davis performing with one of his last truly jazz-based outfits before moving even further in a funk and rock direction. Backing Davis here are saxophonist Wayne Shorter, pianist Chick Corea, bassist Dave Holland, and drummer Jack DeJohnette. Essentially, this was a transitional lineup from the one that recorded In a Silent Way and the group that Davis would soon put together for the Bitches Brew sessions only a few months later. Consequently, Live in Berlin 1969 reveals a hybrid of both avant-garde takes on older Davis staples such as "I Fall in Love Too Easily," "Milestones," and "Footprints," as well as his then-more-current-fusion-oriented material such as "Directions," and "Bitches Brew." As Davis never made any official live recordings with this ensemble, here we get a handful of concert recordings that were captured by local radio and TV broadcasters, as well as audience members. Ultimately, Live in Berlin 1969 works as a superb time capsule of one of Davis' lesser investigated, if no less intriguing artistic periods. ~ Matt Collar