Miles Davis, as innovator, as creator of styles, knew no boundaries. Whenever he blew into his trumpet, something new came to fruition. Obviously Davis was ahead of the genre, way ahead. Music was an extension of him. It was something that emanated from him rather than from an unwritten set of rules that someone follows to break into the business. One single sweep through Miles Davis' brilliant Bitches Brew easily reveals this. Bitches Brew's title track is as haunting and memorable a musical force as you're likely to encounter and that's something you should know.

Back in the late 60s, a new form of Jazz was being born. Everyone is familiar with the free-styled improvisational Jazz Fusion that not too much later became an important Jazz extension, a new and exciting way to blend the unruly Rock form with an older genre to create a fresh sound that would crossover and gain many new fans. Bitches Brew led that way. Bitches Brew cleared the pathways for the likes of Weather Report, Return To Forever, and other successful Fusion entities. What is fascinating is that many of the components of those aforementioned bands – Corea, Shorter, Zawinul, McLaughlin (who would go on to form another exciting Fusion band named Mahavishnu Orchestra, and who, interestingly, has a song named after him on this album) – were strong components of Miles Davis' changing crew, as well as a vital – and vibrant – part of Bitches Brew. This just underscores the high level of talent that Davis surrounded himself with, the talent that he influenced well enough to produce excellent work on their own, or as I like to look at it, Davis in other guises.

On the 40th Anniversary of the album's release in 1970, Legacy revisits the classic title with a 2CD/1DVD Legacy Edition, remastered and expanded with previously unreleased alternate takes of songs from this unquestionable masterpiece. The set contains the first four tracks from the original album on the first disc with the second CD adding the remaining two original tracks plus two previously unreleased alternate takes (“Spanish Key,” “John McLaughlin”), and four single edits of otherwise lengthy album cuts (“Miles Runs the Voodoo Down,” “Spanish Key,” “Great Expectations,” “Little Blue Frog”). The last two cuts were recorded at some time during or perhaps shortly thereafter the Bitches Brew sessions but showing up on a collected set called Big Fun (1974).

This assembled Legacy Edition adds a DVD with the Copenhagen Live (1969) Davis troupe that toured. What makes this remarkable DVD stand out is the close look at the improvisational style of Jazz Fusion being created, especially with a young Chick Corea, who would take to the stage with Return to Forever soon thereafter. The DVD performances of each of the seven tracks are quite good. You watch Davis in his trance-like stance waiting for those moments when his trumpet would do things that none other had done before. The performance is a previously unreleased work and is essential to a closer understanding of the music that Miles Davis strove to create. Davis was possessed of a talent which makes him one of the most important Jazz persona of this or any other time.

The included 24-page contains a Greg Tate essay along with original album artwork, many photos, and a detailed credits section. The set is encased with the familiar and protective Legacy Edition O-Card plastic cover.

What Bitches Brew really is would take volumes to explain and many have done far, far better examinations of its importance and its Fusion-birthing sounds than I could give justice to. As an appreciator of Jazz Fusion, especially from Miles Davis, I can say that this album is a joy to revisit. The added tracks, the excellent audio of the original tracks, and the video make this Legacy Edition of Bitches Brew an event that many should NOT pass on. Simply, every music lover should have a copy of Bitches Brew in their possession.

Clear your head!