Miles Davis: Live in Munich

With over two hours of music, much of it brilliant, plus a lengthy conversation with one of music's more elusive characters, this is a treasure. The music Miles Davis was making in 1988, three years before his death, was loose and funky, informed by James Brown as much or more than Charlie Parker, with covers of tunes by the likes of Cyndi Lauper (“Time After Time”) and Michael Jackson (“Human Nature”). And if it wasn't the high point of Davis' glorious career, or if the musicians weren't giants on the level of Coltrane, Shorter and Hancock (the best known player here is saxophonist Kenny Garrett), there is still some brilliant music played, all under the guidance of a man who arguably had the richest recorded legacy of any jazz musician but who resolutely refused to look anywhere but forward. The 30-minute interview is interesting, but it's the music--presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 sound--that does the real talking. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (S. Graham)