Filles de Kilimanjaro

Filles de Kilimanjaro (1968, Columbia) - Although Bitches Brew (1969, Columbia), Miles Davis' masterpiece recorded a year later, is widely regarded as the proverbial "shot heard 'round the world" that signaled the beginning of the jazz revolution, his Filles de Kilimanjaro is the recording that really started it all. Suffice it to say, if you like Bitches Brew but you've never heard this 1968 masterpiece of exploration, you need to hear it. In one respect it is even more approachable than In A Silent Way (1969, Columbia) and the rest of the studio issues that followed in Miles' so-called jazz/rock fusion: these are traditionally recorded sessions which were edited in the accepted manner of snipping out clams, feedback or other noises and blemished areas of the recording, but which were left virtually intact and not created later through editing by Teo Macero, as would become the practice on later sessions. This album plus tracks later released on Water Babies (1969, Columbia) document the crucible of the grand experiment as the mixture of changing musicians actually sounded. The shift is on in the rhythm section. Tony Williams is on drums throughout, but is about to depart and be replaced by Jack DeJohnette. Ron Carter is handing over the reins to Dave Holland and Herbie Hancock has begun to make his exit and turn over the keyboard duties to Chick Corea. This is essential listening for jazz-rockers, prog rockers, fusioneers, and anyone else who has continued to listen closely to the developments that have come since.