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Notes from Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab:

"Float Into the Ether: Gorgeous 1969 Experimental Treasure Among the Most Atmospheric Jazz Albums Ever Recorded

Features John McLaughlin, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Dave Holland, and Tony Williams

Shhh. The command to be quiet is not just part of the title of one of the two sprawling compositions on this pioneering album. It’s also an apt metaphor for the relaxed hypnotism and spaced-out atmosphere that define In a Silent Way, a record that pushes the boundaries of studio possibilities, artist-producer relationships, and rock-jazz chasms. Recognized as Miles Davis’ first full-on fusion effort and part of his “electric” era, the 1969 landmark claims a Who’s Who lineup that sends the music into an ethereal stratosphere.

Part of Mobile Fidelity’s Miles Davis catalog restoration series, In a Silent Way now immerses the listener in lineolate landscapes starlit by the intuition, suspension, and paradoxes wrought by a once-in-a-lifetime collective. Mastered from the original master tapes and pressed at RTI, this unsurpassed 180g LP edition lifts the veil on the cutting-edge assembly process that created the pair of lengthy suites. Helmed by three electric instruments, the beveled compositions melt away all preconceived notions of “jazz,” ‘rock,” and “ambience,” following a loose theory Davis dubbed “New Directions.”

Few albums are so delicately textured. And on Mobile Fidelity’s meticulous analog reissue, such sulcate elements pour over ink-black backgrounds on a canyon-wide soundstage. In particular, Tony Williams’ inventive percussive touch—he causes the cymbals to shimmer as a pieces of silver tend to do when exposed to sunlight—is broadcast with lifelike three-dimensional qualities, the panoramic view extending to Davis’ nocturnal trumpet, Wayne Shorter’s ribbon-unfurling saxophone, Dave Holland’s extrapolative bass, and the mosaic of keys.

If the record’s only accomplishment is its introduction of guitarist John McLaughlin to the world, it alone would be enough. Yet In a Silent Way continues to bedazzle, puzzle, and inspire for myriad reasons—not the least of which is the seemingly telepathic communicative methods employed by the group’s members. The lineup is great on paper, but, if it’s even possible, the octet sounds even better in practice, with the instruments and tonalities conjoining in avant-garde communion like hyper-sensitive tentacles exploring the stippled landscapes of an undiscovered planet.

Diverting from expectation, tubular grooves twist, turn, and spin, sometimes piling atop of each other, always shying away from structure and melody. Ellipsoidal solos provide hesitant guidance, ranging from Chick Corea’s Fender Rhodes phrases to Davis’ decorative spirals. And as color is the primary unit of currency on Davis’ Sketches of Spain, laidback episodes, geometric spaces, and quiet sensuality reign here, with the set’s maverick reputation attained via musings on solitude rather than explosions of noise.

Controversial for the period, the heavily edited production of In a Silent Way blew open the once-locked doors on what producer’s could attempt—and how artists could assist them. Knitted together as one would construct a cross-hatched quilt, songs contain grafts of repeat passages that provide unifying structure and experimental continuity. What a statement."

Track Listing Shhh/Peaceful In a Silent Way/It’s About That Time Other Details Vinyl Weight: 180g Vinyl Colour: Black Number of Discs: 1 Record Size: 12" Original Release Year: 1969 Release Year of this Version: 2013 Label: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Catalog Number: MFSL 1-377 Package Type: Jacket Manufactured in: US Our Products All of our records are BRAND NEW, UNPLAYED and UNOPENED - Direct from the distributor or record label. Tax Through our registered business, Northern Volume, we are required to charge tax based on your location in Canada. The GST/HST rate will depend on your province of residence in relation to our location in Ontario and is based on your final purchase price. (Does not apply to US or International buyers) Shipping We ship to Canada, the USA, Australia and select locations in Europe. Check the shipping tab to get an accurate shipping price. Our records are shipped safely in high quality LP shipping boxes - see an example Save with Combined Shipping We have a special combined shipping rate for customers in the USA & CANADA! If you are buying multiple items, you pay the full shipping rate of the item with the highest shipping price, then only $1 for shipping each additional item! Simply click on the "Buy it Now" button for each item and follow the directions, waiting to make payment until you have done this for each item. At the end, your invoice should adjust and give you a total with the special shipping rate. If you encounter difficulty with this process, please contact us. If you are an international buyer (outside of the USA & Canada) looking for multiple items, this discount does not apply. Please contact us directly for a shipping quote.