Style:

Introduced as a slow swing, it is also sometimes approached at a medium up tempo.

Form:

A-B (16 Bars) [8-8]

Arrangements:

On the first recording by Miles Davis the band exclusively plays the melody. However, it has since become common to open up the form for  solos.

Key:

No definitive key center.

Harmony/Overview:

The harmony of this composition is rather unconventional. On the original recording Herbie Hancock can be heard playing many different  reharmonizations each time through the form, and Ron Carter is also playing rather loosely. As a result of this many lead sheets tend to be considerably off, so it is highly recommended to listen and compare many  different interpretations.

Recordings:

This is one of Wayne Shorter's most prolific compositions and it has been recorded over 90 times to date. The first recording comes from Miles Davis' album Nefertiti in 1968. It remains a popular composition and continues to provide an especially modern canvas for improvisation.

JGC Top Picks:

Miles Davis, Nefertiti, 1967

Herbie Hancock, V.S.O.P., 1977

Kenny Drew Jr., A Look Inside, 1992