1968 · Album
Miles in the Sky
Columbia Records · Produced by Not specified in provided source · Released: July 22, 1968
The Turn Toward Tomorrow
Miles pivots toward electric sound just as his classic quintet reaches its end.
By 1968, Miles Davis had already remade himself several times over. Miles in the Sky arrives at a crossroads — the last full statement from his Second Great Quintet, but also the first real signal of where he was heading next. This is not a debut, not quite a peak in the traditional sense, but a sharp turn taken at exactly the right moment, before the turn could feel defensive.
The opening track "Stuff" sets the tone immediately. Herbie Hancock switches to electric piano, Ron Carter to electric bass, and the sound becomes something the band had not explored before — still rooted in the harmonic sophistication that defined the quintet, but restless, reaching outward. The addition of electric guitarist George Benson on "Paraphernalia" reinforces the shift. Davis himself sounds engaged with these new textures, not abandoning his style but testing its limits against amplified sound and different rhythmic possibilities.
What matters here is timing. Davis did not cling to the acoustic quintet formula until it wore thin. Instead, he documented it one last time while already moving toward fusion — the territory that would define his next decade. For listeners, this is essential but not introductory work; start with Kind of Blue (1959) or Maiden Voyage (1965) to understand what the Second Great Quintet could do. Miles in the Sky is where to go once you understand that foundation and want to see how Davis refused to stay still.
Who's playing
Ron Carterelectric upright bass
Herbie Hancockelectric piano
George Bensonelectric guitar
Wayne Shortertenor saxophone
Miles Davistrumpet
Tony Williamsdrums
Where next?
More by Miles Davis
All 59 albums →
The musicians on this record
The Egg 1968
Herbie Hancock
plays electric piano here
plays electric piano here
The All Seeing Eye 1966
Wayne Shorter
plays tenor saxophone here
plays tenor saxophone here
In Flight 1977
George Benson
plays electric guitar here
plays electric guitar here
Uptown Conversation 1969
Ron Carter
plays electric upright bass here
plays electric upright bass here
