Miles Davis’ much-touted ‘electric’ period was widely credited with birthing so-called jazz fusion, and because of this, it can be easy for one to forget the true breadth of its influence. A crucial ingredient in Miles’ cauldron of styles during this time was Karlheinz Stockhausen, whom he first heard in 1972 (and later collaborated with in a yet-unpublished session). This fact provides an important reminder that the binding agent in Davis’ singular blend of jazz and rock was experimentation—with texture, electronics, form, and other parameters.
04
Apr