Complete Studio Recordings 1955-1956 - Miles Davis Quintet (The)

Advantages: Outrageously good! Music, playing, production, booklet - everything is great!
Disadvantages: I honestly can't think of one thing.

...muscles and showing that the quintet had no weak links. Red Garland's block-chord rendition of the theme is absolutely priceless. 'Straight, No Chaser' is yet another great track. Its sleazy theme is catchy from the start, and the solos from the horns are yet again brilliant. Miles is especially good, on the alternate take of the track well as the first one on the CD (which was actually the second take in the studio, with the alt. take the first take in the studio). Red Garland notoriously used a tune Miles had used in a solo for Charlie Parker in 1945 in his piano solo. This album swings hard throughtout, but is always laid-back and fun. It is every bit as good as the material on 'Kind Of Blue', showing that the modal jazz concept worked exquisitely well for up-tempo as well as 'cool' jazz. The Production Superb. The balance is just... Read review

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Advantages: Ideal example of Miles' style at the time - funky and fun.
Disadvantages: Not for everyone (but definitely worth a shot)

...Miles Davis was one of the most influencial musicians of the last century, constantly innovating as a jazz sideman, soloist and bandleader. The trumpeter was at the forefront of bebop, 'cool' jazz, rock fusion, and funk. "Jack Johnson" falls in the middle of Miles' fusion period, with such albums as the famous "Bitches Brew" and "In a Silent Way". Track Listing 1. Right Off (26:52), 2. Yesternow (25:34) History This music was written by Miles as a soundtrack to the documentary "A Tribute to Jack Johnson". Johnson was a black boxer, heavyweight champion in 1908. He was a black symbol - Miles, always acutely aware of racial prejudices, felt a connection with Johnson. Unusually, Miles wrote liner notes himself for the album, showing his strength of feeling - he says how Johnson was sophisticated, into wine, cigars... Read review

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Advantages: Virtuoso trumpet at its best
Disadvantages: Only the re-released version has the sound quality it deserves

...The first time I heard this CD was with my Grandparents as a young child, I didn't understand and didn't appreciate the beauty of the music, I remember my granddad tapping his toes and sipping his whiskey, humming gently along with the trumpet solos, this fond memory was abruptly brought forward whilst browsing in a local alternative record shop. I spotted "A Kind Blue" and instantly withdrew my wallet and the CD was mine. As readers you will probably like to know about the music is like! Well simply it is divine, some find Miles Davis's music too intense and muddled, but it takes either an uninterested listener to ignore this or a fascinated listener to understand and appreciate it, I hope that the buyer will lean towards the latter of these two opposites.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful