You're Under Arrest - Miles Davis

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

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

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

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

..., the mercurial Teo Macero. Like 'In a Silent Way' and the albums that followed, '...Jack Johnson' is as every bit Macero's record as it is Davis'. Painstakingly assembled from numerous sessions and takes, some stretching back to 'Silent Way', Macero built the tracks up. The opener 'Right Off' clocks in at an epic 28 minutes, spot the joins...I dare you. It's not like you're going to have the time anyway. Out went sublime jazz bassists Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, and in came the funk of the young prodigy Michael Henderson. No walking basslines filling in the quiet bits here, instead a pounding, ribcage rattling funk that sticks you on the ropes and has you looking to the trainer in the corner, praying he'll throw in the towel. British guitarist John McLaughlin perfectly demonstrates why he is THE British guitarist, letting off volley after... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful