Miles Davis
“Spanish Key” is a standout track from Miles Davis’s revolutionary 1970 album Bitches Brew, known for its fiery improvisation, rhythmic complexity, and role in launching the jazz fusion movement.
Background and Recording
- Album: Bitches Brew
- Recording Date: August 21, 1969, Columbia Studio B, New York
- Release Date: March 30, 1970
- Producer: Teo Macero
- Band Lineup:
- Miles Davis (trumpet)
- Wayne Shorter (soprano sax)
- Bennie Maupin (bass clarinet)
- John McLaughlin (electric guitar)
- Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul, Larry Young (electric pianos)
- Dave Holland (acoustic bass), Harvey Brooks (electric bass)
- Jack DeJohnette, Lenny White (drums)
- Don Alias (congas), Juma Santos (shaker)
Musical Structure and Style
- Genre: Jazz fusion, with strong elements of funk and rock
- Form: Based loosely on modal improvisation—anchored in shifting motifs, especially between E and D, with use of the Phrygian mode (typical of flamenco and “Spanish” music). The result is an intense, hypnotic, and circular groove32.
- Improvisation: Davis instructed his musicians to lean heavily on improvisation, often providing only minimal cues or written material. The piece is punctuated by “signals” from Davis that cue soloists and key changes, heightening spontaneity.
- Instrumentation: The track features three electric pianos, electric guitar, bass clarinet, and dense, layered percussion—unusual for jazz at the time and key to the album's innovative, psychedelic atmosphere.
Legacy and Significance
- “Spanish Key” helped define the sound and ethos of Bitches Brew, often hailed as the moment jazz fully embraced rock and experimental forms1.
- Its relentless energy, deep grooves, and “Spanish tinge” pay homage to Davis’s earlier modal experiments like “Flamenco Sketches” but push the concept into uncharted, electrified territory32.
- The track’s open, improvisational format inspired countless fusion musicians and remains a favorite for reinterpretation and live performance.
Notable Details
- Live History: Before being recorded, “Spanish Key” was performed live, including at Central Park (July 1969) and the Antibes Jazz Festival.
- Production: The music is a result of layering and editing different takes—part of producer Teo Macero’s visionary process on the album.
- Album Art: Bitches Brew features the famous Mati Klarwein cover art, which became iconic alongside its innovative music2.
- Critical Impact: The album and “Spanish Key” divided traditional jazz fans but attracted new audiences, becoming one of Davis’s most influential works12.
“Spanish Key” captures the bold spirit of late-’60s Miles Davis: fiercely experimental, rhythmically daring, and determined to expand the possibilities of jazz. Its influence echoes throughout modern jazz, fusion, and progressive music.
