'58 Sessions - Miles Davis

Advantages: Good
Disadvantages: Bad

...Kind of Blue might have received most of the acclaim but Milestones, the recorded debut of the Miles Davis Sextet, is in the same league. This remarkable super group (featuring Davis's trumpet, tenor-saxophonist John Coltrane, altoist Cannonball Adderley, pianist Red Garland, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Philly Joe Jones) was arguably the greatest one Miles Davis ever led. "Two Bass Hit" features the two saxes trading off with fire and "Billy Boy" showcases the Red Garland trio (showing what they learned from Ahmad Jamal), but "Straight No Chaser" really demonstrates what a powerhouse band this was.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Sumarises Miles in the 80s
Disadvantages: Not very good.

...In my quest to buy everything that Miles has ever put out (silly, I know), I bought this, right after Bitches Brew. Not BB I thought was a little disjointed and a little loose - could perhaps have done witha bit more focus / style / direction, but it was still genius. In this, everything I'd looked for to be added to Bitches was there, but unfortunately it was Eddie Grant does Miami Vice by trumpet - which wasn't great. The bass player is to be frank, annoying. That whole 80's vibe has only one place, and uit's in John Lewis toilets - it's just disgusting. All the chintsy beats and synth are there, but slowed down to a jazz stylee and then there's Miles' drug induced abstrat wanderings that leave you only foccused on how poor the session musicians are. That said - it's a good thing to have in the rack, and there's a couple of good... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Reinvigorated Davis, awesomely funky, with a superb band.
Disadvantages: You're kidding right?

.... An illustration of Johnson, in a fast car with (presumably) fast women in the back seats. Originally Davis' name sat below that of Johnson, so other than the fact he hated the cover and his billing, Miles loved it. Inside are new notes on the recording of the album. Very interesting, humourous, and far more entertaining than my review, and they sit between the covers and the original reverse of the 1970 vinyl release. It's good. For £7.99 it's great. Nicely designed, but letting the music on the disc do the talking. For more pounds, you can grab the super heavyweight 5 disc edition that contains all of the 'Jack Johnson' sessions. I've yet to afford that. It's only a matter of time though.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful