Aural Moon - Progressive Rock Discussion - Mar 7 & 8

I. Hot Rats (Frank Zappa) 1969

Among the first jazz-rock fusion albums, Hot Rats gained Zappa limited notoriety in the states but soared into the top 10 in Great Britain. I have a hard time believing it was the absolute first, as some claim, but it definitely set a high watermark for the genre. If you own the CD, seek out the LP (or vice-versa) as they contain interrestingly different mixes.
[list=1][*]Peaches en Regalia (Zappa) - 3:39 [*]Willie the Pimp (Zappa) - 9:16 [*]Son of Mr. Green Genes (Zappa) - 9:00 [*]Little Umbrellas (Zappa) - 3:04 [*]The Gumbo Variations (Zappa) - 16:56 [*]It Must Be a Camel (Zappa) - 5:17 [/list=1]
II. Bitches Brew (Miles Davis) 1969

If Zappa further funked-up rock with Hot Rats, Miles Davis gave Jazz a whole new groove on Bitches Brew. Of course, the Bitches Brew period gave Jazz [and Miles] a whole new outlook, but it also heavily influenced the direction his backing band took when they branched-off as Weather Report. Nonetheless, this is as difficult as it is beautiful. Don't be surprised if you don't get it at note 1.
[list=1][*]Pharaoh's Dance (Zawinul) - 20:05 [*]Bitches Brew (Davis) - 26:58 [*]Spanish Key (Davis) - 17:32 [*]John McLaughlin (Davis) - 4:22 [*]Miles Runs the Voodoo Down (Davis) - 14:01 [*]Sanctuary (Shorter) - 10:56[/list=1]
III. Headhunters (Herbie Hancock) 1973

Herbie's Jazz-Funk trip of Headhunters went over huge in the 70s, eventually charting as one of the biggest selling Jazz albums of all time. Of course, that doesn't mean it's cheap or tacky (style and honestly can be appealing too). Herbie really shows his chops on here with some great keyboard work here (synthetic and acoustic/electric). Consider it a welcome cool-down from Bitches Brew.
[list=1][*]Chameleon (Hancock/Jackson/Mason/Maupin) - 15:38 [*]Watermelon Man (Hancock) - 6:28 [*]Sly (Hancock) - 10:18 [*]Vein Melter (Hancock) - 9:10 [/list=1]