Search - Miles Davis :: Doo Bop

Great Party Record!

Charlie | Boston, MA | 04/13/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great disc to throw on at a party. The hip-hop backdrop is just a damned lot of fun. And, you know, I think Miles knew how to have a good time. As other reviewers have said, it's not unalterated genius. But there are some great moments and memorable tunes. And, heck, it's got a good beat and you can dance to it ... for real."

Just Diggin' That Sound With Miles Davis

Andre S. Grindle | Brewer Maine | 10/25/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Miles was no longer on this Earth by the time this came out-we all know that. The point is that while he was making this recording with Easy Mo Bee towards the end of the life Miles was at the very least throwin' down and having one wail of a time. And that's no pun because this album allows Miles to wail away with the best of them. After a string of electric jazz records that alternated from mildly abstract to almost smooth during the late 80's this found Miles in a place that really worked for him. The hip-hop culture,much like that of be-bop fueled it's creative juices in much the same sort of colorful environment. And being who he was this "sweet n low down" kind of atmosphere really baught him into a place where he could just play his horn and know what he was dealing with while he did so. Every track on this album are a funk track-created from a sampadelic musical pallet using everything from fender rhodes loops,percussion,drums,horn blasts and yelps. Sure it's a pretty common type of funk/hip-hop backing to be sure but hey:it was created AROUND Miles and the man and his horn are definately telling the music where he wants it to go. On a couple songs such as the title track Mo Bee throws down a very ego tripping (on Miles' behalf) rap,memorably (in my mind) proclaiming Miles as a "multi talented and gifted musician who can play in any position". Yeah it's a little padding but by the time to get to the playing and how everything works around it you know a lot of it is dead on-had been for decades. Some of the songs are in fact just unbelievably fast n funky such as "Chocolate Chip" and "High Speed Chase". While your listening to this album you won't only find yourself dancing off all the beats and loops but also to Miles' soft but often very kinetic solos and wails. Does that say anything for this most complicated of musicians?Sure does! The fact that someone who's style flows so directly from Bird and Dizzy could make it clear that this new thing (for him) called hip-hop was coming from the same place if you peeled some layers away was a hugely deep idea in and of itself. So if you like Miles' playing and want some of his stuff you can really jam to in your car,on the dancefloor or pretty much doing anything involving a physical movement you also have to think about this will really pump up your second wind. Even if you cannot see this,thanks again for that Miles!"