A blowing session????

@stuartk

As to why he embraced Fusion, I’ve also read he was financially motivated but at the same time, genuinely enjoyed the music of of Hendrix and Sly. Plus, he was creatively restless; it was only natural that he would not stay in one place for long. And it’s worth recognizing that he worked his way into it; it wasn’t a single, sudden leap from "If I Were A Bell" to "Miles Runs the Voodoo Down".

Yes, you and @wharfy are correct as to the motivation guiding Miles'  transition into different jazz genres. I read his autobiography when written in the late 1980s. Creative urges, wanting to remain current and increasing his income status were major factors that he openly acknowledged. He was a big admirer of Prince in that era. 

I respect all of Miles' work but have to say that his earlier era of late 1940s to the early 1960s (Bebop-Modal) are what I enjoy most. Certainly to each their own.

Charles

Miles: "Why are your solos so long?"

Trane: "When I really get going, I don't know how to stop."

Miles: "Just take the horn outta your mouth."

I respect all of Miles’ work but have to say that his earlier era of late 1940s to the early 1960s (Bebop-Modal) are what I enjoy most. Certainly to each their own.

Me too i prefer him in this period ...

Thanks for the great post about Davis stuartk ...

There is many ways to be creative...Going toward the estuary of the big river exploring all the ramified possibilities on the delta of the river for example ; and Miles Davis was in the creative hunger to go frenetically from one metamorphosis to an another ; or we can obsessively possessed by one direction only going back from the river direct flowing to his source and deepening the melodic way in a relaxed minimal way of steady row against the flows as Chet Baker did creating his myth in a different way than Davis ...

Or going more from one course or phase to the other , reversing our speed to innovate , one or two times in a life as most creative musicians do , or staying anchored on the river memorizing repeating formulas and fishing with or without virtuosity and imagination ...

We cannot say one way is better than the other ... It is a question of character and moods of the soul ...

Nevermind what we do the river flows with his few big arms but beware! if we construct a few dams to sell the electricity ...😊😁

A metaphor is only a story not an explanation for sure ...😁

But at the end there is no more an explanation perhaps , only a metaphor or a story ...

@charles1dad

I respect all of Miles’ work but have to say that his earlier era of late 1940s to the early 1960s (Bebop-Modal) are what I enjoy most. Certainly to each their own.

Me too. I was enamored of his Fusion stuff when I first got into Jazz but it’s been decades since I owned any of those recordings. I’m drawn to strong melodies and actual chord changes. I derive very little satisfaction from listening to blowing over repetitious, open ended vamps. If forced to choose, the group with Herbie, Tony, and Ron,whether with G. Coleman or Wayne on sax, is my very favorite Miles era. Having tried to get back into Bitches Brew and Big Fun numerous times and failed, I’ve given up at this point! I’d rather listen to Mahavishnu O. or Hendrix when in that sort of mood. As you say, each to his own...

@mahgister

Love the aquatic metaphor!