Is Bitches Brew a good place to start with Miles Davis?

Yes, Bitches Brew is recommended as a starting point for new Miles Davis listeners. An electric tapestry of jazz and rock, fusing improvisation with dense, swirling textures and a cosmic sense of exploration. When 'Bitches Brew' was released on March 30, 1970, Miles Davis was transitioning from his acclaimed 'In a Silent Way' to a bold new sound that would redefine jazz. This album marked his shift towards jazz fusion, combining elements of rock and avant-garde music, solidifying Davis's role as an innovator in the genre.

Who is Bitches Brew for?

Bitches Brew works well if you're into extended explorations of sound, wave-like pacing with peaks and immersive deep listening experience.

How many songs are on Bitches Brew?

Bitches Brew has 6 tracks, running approximately 93 minutes.

Bitches Brew

Miles Davis · 1970

93 min · 6 tracks · jazz

An electric tapestry of jazz and rock, fusing improvisation with dense, swirling textures and a cosmic sense of exploration.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Bitches Brew — The title track is a sprawling composition that encapsulates the album's experimental spirit with its complex rhythms and rich instrumental layers.
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Pharaoh’s Dance Start here — Opening the album, this track features intricate interactions between instruments and showcases Davis's innovative use of orchestration and rhythm.
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Miles Runs the Voodoo Down — This song exemplifies the album's blend of funk grooves and avant-garde improvisation, pushing the boundaries of what jazz could encompass.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

87 /100

Summit

Higher than 100% of albums we've rated

The album's innovative fusion of genres and complex structures set a high standard for jazz fusion.

What we noticed

The album features extended tracks, with each piece often exceeding ten minutes, allowing for deep improvisation and exploration.
Electric instruments dominate the sound, with layered textures created by multiple guitarists and keyboardists interacting in real time.

Composition 25% of the score: 9/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 10/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 8/10

Defined its genre or moment. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

extended explorations of sound
wave-like pacing with peaks
immersive deep listening experience
intense improvisational moments

Maybe skip if you

prefer concise track lengths
seek immediate gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — 'Bitches Brew' marked a significant shift to jazz fusion, showcasing a bold departure from previous styles.
Themes: electric improvisation· avant-garde fusion· psychotropic soundscapes
Moods: Intense· Dreamy
Career context: When 'Bitches Brew' was released on March 30, 1970, Miles Davis was transitioning from his acclaimed 'In a Silent Way' to a bold new sound that would redefine jazz. This album marked his shift towards jazz fusion, combining elements of rock and avant-garde music, solidifying Davis's role as an innovator in the genre.
Stylistic neighbors: John Coltrane· Herbie Hancock· Wayne Shorter