Miles Beyond: Miles Davis, 1967-1991

A rare occasion is when a book appears, that unveils a whole era, which by some reason has been forgotten or disregarded. An even rarer occasion is when the same book manages to prove that this overlooked era is shimmering by magic treasures of purest gold.To all of us, who for three centuries now have wondered why an appropriate treatment of the most powerful and dynamic period in the career of Miles Davis have been almost completely suppressed, relief has finally became brought. Because it is to us, who spent the late seventies wondering in despair if Miles was dead, and then - when the occultation finally was broken - realised that he was, to all of us Paul Tingen has dedicated this pioneering piece of work.It is with a feeling of redress and revenge one reads the true story as told by the former sidemen of Miles: Jack de Johnette, Herbie Hancock, John Mc Laughlin, Mtume, Joe Zawinul, Pete Cosey, Michael Henderson and Sonny Fortune. History drives close as everyone confesses his own experience of the sheer magic that adhered to Miles. It is also with deep recognition and satisfaction one reads Tingen's solid and personal analyses of Miles' explorations into what contemporary jazz-authorities regarded as cheap rock-business. And it is with brave new ears you again and again will let the timeless flow of that red trumpet reappear from your speakers during reading. And you will find that that particular kind of energy that still keeps you thunderstruck when you're exposed to Agartha or Pangaea, certainly IS a landmark if not a climax in 20th century western music. Just as you've always felt.The book is a revelation. Get it!

Anyone reading this is familiar with the arc of Miles Davis' career and tapestry of milestone recordings. Tingen focuses on the least understood of Davis' output, and the final 24 years of the trumpeter's life: his controversial electric period. Through a detailed narrative of Davis's career from 1967 onwards, in-depth interviews with dozens of musicians, friends and family, session notes and a rigorous analysis of his recordings, the author brings this formerly dark and misunderstood period to life and shows its continuity with Davis' earlier work as well as its linkages to the roiling ferment of America in the '60's and '70's. Tingen actually gets under the skin of Davis, illuminating crucial aspects of his working methods, values and approach to music as life that span the trumpeter's entire career. He nails Davis' approach as one of incorporating the new, while integrating it with the styles of the past: "transcend and include"; Miles always WAS a conservative Midwesterner at heart. The author's energy, creativity and intelligence mirror those of his subject. More than a document of some of the most brilliant and forbidding music of the last 35 years-the best book published about one of the giants of 20th Century music.

I've been waiting for a book that covered this period for ages. All the other Miles related material, although revealing in many areas outside of '67 - '91, has neglected this period more or less altogether. This book deals with the roots of all that became known as 'Jazz Fusion'. The pioneers who went through the Miles 'Academy' are all interviewed here. There are breakdowns of album tracks and extracts from interviews. I don't believe a stone has been left unturned. Paul Tingen is a musician and as a result has been able to get to the core. Can't wait to read it again.

Paul Tingen's excellent new book is an in-depth treatment of Miles's "electric" period from 1967 to 1991. The timing of this publication couldn't have been better as Columbia/Legacy continues to issue/reissue important recordings from this era, including the recent "Live At Fillmore (It's About That Time)" and "The Complete In A Silent Way" box set.The strength of the book lies in the fact that Tingen evaluates the electric Miles period on its own terms: an approach this much misunderstood and often maligned music truly deserves. Tingen backs up his thorough analysis with new interviews and first-person accounts from band members and other colleagues.Tingen's book has set a new benchmark in writing on Miles Davis and jazz fusion. "Miles Beyond" offers both the casual listener and the fanatic fan much to learn about the electric years. And like all good music criticism, this book made me return to the source. I've been listening to albums like "Jack Johnson" and "Agharta" with fresh ears. An essential read!

Makes me want to run out and listen to the records all over again ...The other reviews I've read above describe perfectly what I got out of this book. I got lots of new information and perspective on this important music, garnered from interviews with the band members themselves. They pull no punches in illustrating what a great bandleader Miles was, and what a volatile man he could be. This was mixed in with a certain amount of opinion presented by the author on relative value of pieces or of the way they were edited or presented, which can be ignored. Read Miles' autobiography, read Carr's biography, read this, and listen to the music, that's my advice.