E.S.P. is an album by American jazz musician Miles Davis, released in February 1965 on Columbia Records. This album marked the beginning of his second great quintet, with Wayne Shorter on tenor saxophone, Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter on bass and Tony Williams on drums. The album is known for keeping a focus on collective improvisation and interaction more than solos.
E.S.P. consists of nine songs all written by members of the band, which was a departure from the past where Davis often used standards and pieces written by others. It is considered a foundational album for the post-bop genre with its complex harmonies, unconventional song structures, and a high level of abstraction. The album peaked at number 150 on the Billboard 200, which was relatively modest commercially. However, it's well received by critics for its innovative approach.
Musically, Miles Davis's trumpet playing throughout the album was lauded as daringly simplistic, and his transition into a more melodic style was considered both unexpected and influential. The rest of the quintet also provides excellent performances, with the rhythm section of Carter and Williams laying down complex, shifting rhythms that challenge and push the rest of the band.
Regarded by many as an important work in Davis's discography, E.S.P. signified the reinvention of the legendary jazz musician in the mid-1960s and inaugurated the most prolific era of his career. The album represents Davis' embrace of the avant-garde and serves as a showcase for his second quintet's development and mastery of more open and fluid forms of jazz expression.
