Black Beauty: Miles Davis at Fillmore West cover

Black Beauty: Miles Davis at Fillmore West

Miles Davis · 1973

79 min · 9 tracks · jazz fusion · bebop · hard bop

A vibrant confluence of electric jazz and avant-garde improvisation, capturing the essence of Davis's bold experimentation.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • wave-like dynamic progression
  • immersive late-night listening experience
  • intense improvisational moments
  • sprawling exploration of sound
  • vibrant energy with peaks

Maybe skip if you want

  • prefer short, standalone tracks
  • seek instant gratification

Where this album fits

Themes
electric jazz experimentation· Fillmore West live energy· improvisational boldness
Career context
Released in 1973, 'Black Beauty' arrived during Miles Davis's prolific period in the early 1970s, following his groundbreaking album 'Bitches Brew' (1970). This live recording showcases the evolution of Davis’s sound, transitioning towards more experimental jazz fusion while still rooted in traditional elements. At this point in his career, Davis was actively redefining jazz boundaries and attracting new audiences.
Stylistic neighbors
John Coltrane· Herbie Hancock· Wayne Shorter
Sounds like this from elsewhere
Head Hunters by Herbie Hancock — Shares a vibrant electric jazz fusion sound with dynamic improvisation and energetic grooves.
Heavy Weather by Weather Report — Explores avant-garde jazz fusion with rich textures and a strong emphasis on improvisational interplay.
Return to Forever by Chick Corea — Combines electric instrumentation with bold improvisation in a similar jazz fusion landscape.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Directions 10:46
  • 2 Miles Runs the Voodoo Down 12:22
  • 3 Willie Nelson 6:22
  • 4 I Fall in Love Too Easily 1:34
  • 5 Sanctuary 4:00
  • 6 It's About That Time 9:59

Disc 2

  • 1 Bitches Brew 12:53
  • 2 Masqualero 9:07
  • 3 Spanish Key / The Theme 12:14

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata