Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea/Germany 1969 Remastered

The title truly lives up to its name! Absolutely perfect! The Roast Quintet, a star-studded band of young lions who would go on to lead the jazz world, embarked on a European tour at the end of their career, delivering a series of virtuosic performances that reached their peak in every respect. But Berlin is a sure bet! As the saying goes, this legendary performance captures Miles and his group at the height of their careers as trumpeters! This definitive release, from the November 7, 1969, Berlin Philharmonic concert, has been meticulously remastered from the original master tapes, which boasted the highest quality sound, and has been perfectly corrected for any slight harshness. The Roast Quintet's performances were phenomenal, and this Berlin performance captured their pinnacle. Miles, said to have been at the peak of his career as a trumpeter, was in top form, maintaining a tingling sense of tension while playing with such extreme precision that it's always awe-inspiring to listen to! Furthermore, Wayne Shorter, Miles' right-hand man, who was experiencing ups and downs in his performances during this period, delivered a miraculously flawless performance on this day. The performance of "It's About That Time," arguably the best version of the album, was simply amazing! This Berlin performance condensed everything great about the Roast Quintet into one concert, generously showcasing the diverse musicality that connects Miles's past and future. A wide variety of musical styles, from jazz to rock, free jazz, and even contemporary and electronic music, coexisted and flourished together in an infinitely expanding way, creating an extreme sense of tension and excitement. This truly showcased the Roast Quintet's true essence! The performance of the historic masterpiece "Bitches Brew," born from the core of five musicians: Miles Davis, Shorter, Chick, Holland, and DeJohnette, was conscious of live expression, and it was a truly stunning performance. It's a one-of-a-kind stage performance that makes it ridiculous to discuss whether it was acoustic, electric, jazz, or rock. While the Roast Quintet is often described as a transitional period, this is simply not the case! Was there any other group at the time that was as accomplished and complete as they were, playing music that no one had ever performed before, with such a beautiful contrast between beauty and ugliness, stillness and movement? Miles Davis's Roast Quintet deserves a renewed reevaluation today!