What the hell is going on with Miles' Second Great Quintet?

I've been losing it over Water Babies this week, it's the only record of this era I hadn't heard. I think I thought it was another electric era live show bootleg that got repackaged, or something?

Anyway, it's so spacious and effortless and playful, and sounds amazing. It captures this moment when they moved away from swing, but it's still super rhythmic and interactive without a backbeat for the most part. The straight 8th approach makes it sound like it could have come out today, or maybe it's a Rosetta stone for a lot of contemporary groups.

God I love it so much too. Always thought I was crazy for loving it so much! Just a perfect vibe.

Wayne Shorter does a couple of those tunes on Super Nova too but they’re pretty different

https://www.discogs.com/artist/1109974-W-Process

W. Process is the secret sauce, he crushes it on that track

Water babies has artwork by same guy who did On The Corner. Probably because it wasn't released for a few years after recording.

I’m a big fan of the “silently judging” lil dude in the ill fitting suit

big fan of the artwork on this 80s reissue:

http://imgur.com/PuayoTw

http://i.imgur.com/PuayoTw.jpg

Miles is glowering at some kids playing in a fire hydrant spray just off camera.

haha so much (mostly) unintentional hilarity surrounding this album. I <3 JAZZ!

e.s.p. is just the greatest goddamn album ever

My son bought the big 20 Original Albums box and I've been gradually working my way through it chronologically. Some I have heard previously of course, but some are brand new listens for me. I'm just about to start on this period, beginning with E.S.P., so I'll use this thread as a reference.

There are many days where I think this is probably the greatest combination of five utterly god tier musicians to have ever played together

Water Babies sounds amazing right now, thanks thread!