Record Reviews

MILES DAVIS ~ AT NEWPORT 1955-1975: THE BOOTLEG SERIES VOL.4 COLUMBIA 888750819529 (Barcode: 888750819529) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1955 - 1975 Released: 2015 This is the 4th installment of the "Bootleg Series" live recordings by American trumpeter / composer Miles DavisFind albums by this artist, released by ColumbiaFind albums on this label Records. This time the recordings originate from the performances by Davis and his various groups as part of the annual Newport Jazz Festival, which still functions uninterruptedly since its inception in 1954 and served over time as one of the most important icons of American Jazz. This 4 CD set spans twenty years of performances by Davis at Newport, starting with his appearance as a member of an all-star ad-hoc ensemble in 1955 and ending with his group´s appearance at the 1975 edition of the festival. It also includes two live recordings made in Europe (Germany and Switzerland) during the Newport Festival European tours. With the exception of the first four tracks on CD 1, which include the above mentioned 1955 performance, which is rather badly recorded and completely banal musically, the rest of this set is, as expected, absolutely brilliant, with every second being completely revealing and historically significant. The 1958 appearance features the legendary first quintet with John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, the 1967-68 appearance features the even more legendary second quintet, the 1969 appearance features the core of the "Bitches BrewFind albums with this title" group, the 1971 appearance features the group with Gary BartzFind albums by this artist and finally the 1973-75 appearances feature the double guitar (Pete CoseyFind albums by this artist and Reggie LucasFind albums by this artist) and no keyboards group with Dave LiebmanFind albums by this artist (or Sam MorrisonFind albums by this artist). Since the tracks are arranged (almost) chronologically, this set wonderfully depicts the transformation of Davis and his groups during that period, expanding the horizons of Jazz (and music in general) in a radical way, which only an Artist of his vision and prophetic drive could achieve. Considering the fact that most of this music was previously unreleased and the recording quality is quite excellent, this set is simply irresistible to every Davis fan. This music remains absolutely timeless and fresh, completely untouched by the tides of time; the Holy Grail!

Updated: 31/12/2024Posted:

CD 4 Digipak Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

MILES DAVIS ~ THE COMPLETE ON THE CORNER SESSIONS COLUMBIA 06239 (Barcode: 886970623926) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1972 - 1975 Released: 2007 This is the 8th (and apparently the last) chapter in the ColumbiaFind albums on this label’s epic series of Miles DavisFind albums by this artist Box Sets, which is a monumental reissue project of recordings by the most important Jazz musician of the 20th century. Recorded between March 1972 and May 1975 this the music includes everything Miles recorded for Columbia before his 5 years of retirement from recording due to health problems, before resuming his career in 1980. The inventory is pretty amazing: 4 years, 16 sessions, 21 musicians and over 6 hours of groundbreaking music, which although rarely given credit for it, changed to face of music for years to come. Incorporating Funk, Fusion, World Music, Rock, Soul and of course Jazz, this music re-defined the basic conceptions of the musical universe. Anything recorded later on this planed could be traced back to some extent to these sounds, be it Hip-Hop, Rock, Electronic and Ambient Music, House, and Dance, including of course contemporary Jazz and Fusion. The music is completely groove oriented, with very little (and often without) melody, with a loose and completely atmospheric jamming over a repetitive and hypnotic rhythms, created masterly by bassist Michael HendersonFind albums by this artist, continuing the direction initiated on The Cellar Door Sessions 1970Find albums with this title. Miles on trumpet, Dave LiebmanFind albums by this artist, Carlos GarnettFind albums by this artist and Bennie MaupinFind albums by this artist on saxes, Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist and Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist on keyboards, John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist, Reggie LucasFind albums by this artist and Pete CoseyFind albums by this artist on guitars, Jack DeJohnetteFind albums by this artist and Al FosterFind albums by this artist on drums and quite a few other players contribute to this heavenly music, under the Master’s spiritual leadership. The music included here appeared in various edited forms on the albums: On The CornerFind albums with this title, Big FunFind albums with this title and Get Up With ItFind albums with this title, but most is heard here for the first time. It is almost impossible to describe how far out and pioneering this music is. It presents not only a completely new sound and approach to performing music, but also a new way to create music as a flow of the subconscious creative process. Over 30 years after it was recorded, it still sounds revolutionary and poignant, as it undoubtedly will continue to sound in the days to come. I can’t imagine anybody who calls himself a music lover not to own this music and listen to it periodically to recharge his or her emotional batteries. Beyond essential! A special note to collectors: The initial release of all the Miles Davis Box Sets in this reissue series is packaged in an exquisite metal-bound (except chapter 5 which is cardboard-bound) frame housed in a hard cardboard CD-sized slipcase (except for chapters 1 & 8 which have a metal slipcase). Once the initial release is sold out, the CDs are repackaged in a tall-box digipack book format. Naturally the tall-box issues have a much lower retail price tag. All the initial release CD-sized issues become priceless collectors’ items in time.

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 6 Box Set Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend