Panthalassa is the name given to the ocean in the "beginning". Scientists believe that there once was a single continent(named Pangaea), surrounded by only a single ocean, Panthalassa.

It is a provoking title for an equally enticing album. One could surmise from the title ideas of utopias, of past times. Utopia, incidentally means nowhere, which could in itself be an arena for other thoughts rather more cynical then what preceeds. However, not to digress, utopias are places for deep thought, societies created to make one better and make their life simpler. With society as it is and has been, the notion of a utopia seems impractical and downright irrational. Though it is possible that each one of us has an utopia within or own selves that we crawl into, for shelter, that spawns great works and recalls the breezes off of the pre-deprecated lands and oceans of Pangaea and Panthalassa respectively.

Miles, with each go out, with each album during his electric period sought to create his own Utopia, or his own Panthalassa. Most people, when they listen to electric Miles, can't concentrate and relax through the chaos for the beauty that awaits. For me, electric Miles, is similiar to a time machine. At first the ride is bumpy and scary, but if I can just hold on, I know it will get beautiful and surreal.

Then, along comes Bill Laswell. This wonderful producer got his hands on the original tapes from some of Miles' most memorable albums(In A Silent Way, On the Corner and Get Up With It). He then took out the chaos, mixed it better, and "abracadabra" you get the beauty and serenity of Miles' via 69 to 74, without the tortured malestorm to wade through. Sitars, tablas, melodic guitar and strong, forceful trumpet playing all fuse together to create a world brew, a Bitches Brew.

One can now discover Pangaea, the shorepounds of Panthalassa and the zenlike Utopia that is there(plus some of Miles' greatest work), for us all if we care to take it. Or rather, if we can just jump in that time machine.