The next album I’ve chosen in this series is Bitches Brew by Miles Davies.  It was recorded in New York between the 19th and 21st August 1969, when the world was watching the Apollo 11 moon landing, and came out in 1970. It features so many great musicians that went on to perform for many years (Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Joe Zawinul, Herbie Handcock, Lenny White, and many more).

One of the key thinks I like about the album, especially if you listen with headphones, is that you can imagine yourself in the room with Davies in the centre and two groups of musicians, one on the left and one on the right. If you concentrate you can really hear the differences between the left and right channels. On the first track Pharaoh’s Dance you can clearly hear three pianos: Joe Zawinul (left), Larry Young (center) and Chick Corea (right) plus two drummers: Lenny White (left) and Jack DeJohnette (right).

Apparently most tracks were edited later in the studio, repeating sections and adding effects, but I can’t say I’ve ever found the joins.

It’s a double album and runs to 1h45 so you’ll need a nice comfortable sofa, but your earls will thank you for it.