Running the Voodoo Down: The Electric Music of Miles Davis

This book reassesses Miles Davis' “electric period” and analyzes its continuing influence on contemporary music. While jazz purists often revile this phase – which encompasses the entire second half of his career, from 1967 until his death in 1991 – this book takes a new, appreciative look at this music and shows its importance to Davis' career and to jazz as a whole. The author also reveals surprising connections between Davis, Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone, particularly the ways they fed each other's creativity. This book will stir up the longtime debate about this important music and give Davis' legions of fans refreshing insights into his work.

PHILIP FREEMAN earned a PhD from Harvard University and currently holds an endowed chair in humanities at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. He has published over twenty books on ancient and medieval history and religion, including works on Celtic mythology and St. Patrick.