GET UP WITH IT

This was the last studio album Miles recorded before taking an extended layoff, and it's really a compilation of songs recorded from 1970 to 1974 with various lineups. There's some really interesting thoughts in the liner notes from flautist David Liebman. I have to say that this is a top three studio album for me when it comes to Miles Davis recordings. And part of the charm is how different yet familiar some of these tracks are.

Disc one starts off with "He Loved Him Madly" which I believe is the center-piece of this recording. It's a tribute to Duke Ellington who had just passed away less than a month previous to this song being recorded in June of 1974. What blows me away with this over 32 minute track is how minamilistic and melancholic it is. Brian Eno is said to have been greatly influenced by it. I was reminded right away of Terje Rypdal's "Whenever I Seem So Far Away". It starts with Miles on the organ which Liebman notes he did a lot to start off a composition. We get sporadic percussion and drums as the guitar comes in. The first change is before 13 minutes when the flute comes in. Just tripping here as it plods along slowly. The trumpet takes over from the flute after 16 minutes and cries out of the dark over and over. More flute and trumpet to follow. I would never have thought Miles would have created a tune like this. "Maiyshr" is also from 1974 but is a catchy song with organ, bass and percussion leading the way as the guitar comes and goes. Flute comes in around 2 minutes then trumpet a minute later. Themes are repeated. Check out the guitar after 10 minutes. "Honky Tonk" recorded in 1970 features John McLaughlin on guitar as well as some cool sounding clavinet from Herbie Hancock. It gets fuller 2 minutes in and there's so much going on with all these intricate sounds. Great track! "Rated X" from 1972 features all the musicians from the "On The Corner' recording sessions. Organ to start and Miles plays this throughout. An intense sound kicks in as the organ floats over top. So good! Man this is crazy with the electric sitar and dissonant organ.

Disc two begins with another over 32 minute song called "Calypso Frelimo" recorded in 1973 and it's similar in style to "He Loved Him Madly". Some insane trumpet blasts in this one and it's very adventerous sounding. Flute arrives 5 minutes in then sax around 7 1/2 minutes and it will eventually duel with the trumpet. It all stops dead after 10 minutes then it slowly comes back tonight with plenty of atmosphere as sporadic sounds come and go. Organ and bass at first with percussion then flute after 15 minutes. The trumpet cries out mournfully over and over after 17 minutes. The tempo picks up around 22 minutes and it becomes quite intense before 28 minutes to the end. What a song! "Red China Blues" is from 1972 and it's very bluesy but just over 4 minutes in length. Plenty of harmonica here along with brass arrangements. "Mtume" is from 1974 and it has a lot of percussion and bass throughout. The guitar is prominant as well and the rhythm is repetitive and really good. I really like the organ as well especially 12 1/2 minutes in. Some crazy trumpet runs late. "Billy Preston" ends it all and it's from 1972. This is a trippy tune with some electric sitar, guitar, organ, trumpet and a beat standing out.

A must for fans of adventerous music and especially for fans of Miles Davis' electric period.