Miles Davis - Running The Voodoo Down: The Electric Music of Miles Davis

by Philip Freeman

Running The Voodoo Down digs deep into the Miles Davis's electric music, reminding us that this period encompassed the entire second half of the trumpeter's career, from 1967 until his death in 1991. Running The Voodoo Down examines this quarter-century of music in detail and discusses its importance to Davis's career and to the whole of American music and culture. Freeman places Davis's controversial 60s and 70s albums in a broader context than earlier critics have done, encouraging us to hear Miles's music alongside the work of Sly Stone, Jimi Hendrix and the trumpeter's own sidemen. Running The Voodoo Down reactivates the long-running debate surrounding this important and frequently misunderstood music, and offers longtime jazz fans and new listeners alike unexpected insight into Davis's unique genius.

This book reassesses Miles Davis' “electric period” and analyzes its continuing influence on contemporary music. While jazz purists often revile this phase – which encompasses the entire second half of his career, from 1967 until his death in 1991 – this book takes a new, appreciative look at this music and shows its importance to Davis' career and to jazz as a whole. The author also reveals surprising connections between Davis, Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone, particularly the ways they fed each other's creativity. This book will stir up the longtime debate about this important music and give Davis' legions of fans refreshing insights into his work.