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Dark Magus is a live double album by the American jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Miles Davis. It was recorded on March 30, 1974, at Carnegie Hall in New York City, during the electric period in Davis’ career. His group at the time included bassist Michael Henderson, drummer Al Foster, percussionist Mtume, saxophonist Dave Liebman, and guitarists Pete Cosey and Reggie Lucas; Davis used the performance to audition saxophonist Azar Lawrence and guitarist Dominique Gaumont. Dark Magus was produced by Teo Macero and featured four two-part recordings, titled with the Swahili numerals for numbers one through four.

Reception

Dark Magus was received ambivalently by contemporary critics but became an inspiration to late-1970s noise rock acts and the experimental funk artists of the 1980s.

Track listing

Disc one: First set
1. “Moja (Part 1)” 12:28
2. “Moja (Part 2)” 12:40
3. “Wili (Part 1)” 14:20
4. “Wili (Part 2)” 10:44
Disc two: Second set
1. “Tatu (Part 1)” 18:47
2. “Tatu (Part 2) (‘Calypso Frelimo’)” 6:29
3. “Nne (Part 1) (‘Ife’)” 15:19
4. “Nne (Part 2)” 10:11

Personnel
Miles Davis – electric trumpet with wah-wah, Yamaha organ (on “Wili”, “Tatu”, and “Nne”)
Dave Liebman – flute, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone
Azar Lawrence – tenor saxophone (on “Tatu” and “Nne”)
Reggie Lucas – electric guitar
Pete Cosey – electric guitar, percussion
Dominique Gaumont – electric guitar (on “Tatu” and “Nne”)
Michael Henderson – electric bass
Al Foster – drums
James Mtume – percussion

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Released: 1977
Recorded: March 30, 1974
Venues: Carnegie Hall, New York City
Length: 100:58
Label:
Producer: Teo Macero