Miles Davis

"Bitches Brew" is a studio album by American jazz trumpeter and composer Miles Davis, recorded in August of 1969 at Columbia's Studio B in New York City and released in March of 1970. This album marked Miles Davis' continued experimentation with electric instruments, a departure from traditional jazz rhythms and an embrace of rock-influenced arrangements. The album was edited and pieced together by producer Teo Macero.

Initially, "Bitches Brew" received mixed reviews and commercial success, but over time it has gained recognition as one of the greatest jazz albums of all time and a major influence on jazz rock, rock and '70s crossover musicians. The album eventually won a Grammy award and became Miles Davis' first gold album to be certified by the Recording Industry Association of America. In 2003, the album was certified platinum.

At the time of recording, Miles Davis' working band consisted of Wayne Shorter on soprano saxophone, Dave Holland on bass, Chick Corea on electric piano, and Jack DeJohnette on drums. Miles Davis was influenced by contemporary rock and funk music and the work of Paul Buckmaster. The recording sessions consisted of Miles Davis and his band, joined by other musicians, including John McLaughlin, Joe Zawinul, and Larry Young. The album was recorded live with no overdubs and Miles Davis acted as conductor, giving instructions to the musicians during the recording process.

Despite his reputation as a cool improviser, much of Miles Davis' playing on this album is aggressive and explosive. The origin of the album title is not known and has various theories, including a reference to women in Miles Davis' life who were introducing him to cultural changes in the '60s. The recorded music was significantly edited to create the final tracks. "Bitches Brew" has since become a classic and is considered an important album in the evolution of jazz music.