Miles Davis – Black Beauty (Miles Davis At Fillmore West) (2xLP, MoFi))

Black Beauty captures Miles Davis in full flight during a pivotal moment in his electric period. Recorded live in 1970 at the Fillmore West, the album showcases his transition from structured compositions to freer, more improvisational performances with his new electric band. Davis doesn’t introduce songs, and the band fluidly moves from one piece to another with few signposts, creating a hypnotic, continuous stream of sound that blends funk, rock, and avant-garde jazz. Chick Corea's electric piano and Steve Grossman’s saxophone weave in and out of Jack DeJohnette’s explosive drumming, while Miles plays with raw intensity and abstraction.

The Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab reissue brings stunning clarity and separation to this once muddy-sounding live recording. The energy of the performance is palpable, and the remastering enhances the spatial qualities and textures of the instruments without losing the edge of the live experience. It's an essential document of Davis's electric years and one that rewards repeat listens with new details and surprises each time.

Reviews

“Davis’s band is on fire here, seamlessly blending into one extended suite of sound. It’s chaotic and intense but deeply compelling.” — Pitchfork

“The MoFi pressing reveals textures that were buried in earlier releases; the band breathes in a way you’ve never heard before.” — The Absolute Sound

“One of Miles’s rawest live recordings, now finally given the sonic treatment it deserves.” — All About Jazz

“A wild, unfiltered transmission from the frontlines of jazz’s electric revolution.” — Jazzwise