Description
SLEEVE: NM MEDIA: NM YEAR: 1977 ORIGIN: Japan EXTRAS: Obi with insert
V.S.O.P. is a pivotal album in jazz, though not as intended. At the '77 Newport Jazz Fest, Herbie Hancock's past and present bands -- incl. a Miles Davis Quintet with Freddie Hubbard in Miles' stead, '69-'73 sextet, and current jazz-funk outfit -- shared the stage. The reunited Miles band stole the show, inspiring a generation of young musicians to revive acoustic jazz. Hancock played electric piano (unremarked by purists) and the sextet played two cuts ("Toys" & "You'll Know"). A post-Headhunters ensemble w/ Maupin/Jackson (somewhat disappointing) concluded the two-LP set. Fusion still got backlash despite the incredible show. This concert's influence remains today.