A triumph of early post-bop jazz
5
By The Ranting Recluse
While Miles Davis' "Milestones" has mostly earned its rightful place in history because of its title track, the revolutionary modality of which became the shot heard 'round the world of jazz (one that still reverberates to this day), the rest of the album actually has a bluesy, Bebop-influenced swagger at its core, with reworkings of standards by legends like Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk and Ahmad Jamal comprising nearly half the tracks. This doesn't mean the rest of the album isn't still a triumph of early Post-bop jazz, because it certainly is; by simultaneously paying tribute to the stylings of the past while presaging the innovations of the future, Davis dexterously fuses the two together, creating a watershed album of modernist jazz that stands as a testament to his creativity not only as a player but also as an arranger & leader, a tour de force that shaped the direction his music would take for decades to come, and one which sounds just as fresh today as it did nearly sixty years ago when it first turned an entire genre of music on its ear.
Can Jazz (American acoustic improvised music) be played perfectly?
5
By Dr. Doom14
Great Arco Bass playing, you can hear Paul Chambers' solo clearer in these early recordings. Its reminiscent of Slam Stewart here, without the unison vocal.
His Pizzicato isn't bad either. Great trumpet playing by Miles Davis, like few others, especially on Dr. JACKLE (misnamed as Dr. Jekyll or again as Dr. Jackie in notes)
by Jackie McLean. Great Alto from Julian "Cannonball" Adderley and Tenor Sax playing from John Coltrane. Red Garland has all the right notes at the right time.
Great drumming by Philly Joe Jones. The rhythm section is among the strongest and tightest ever. This is great music regardless of genre!
Is this the greatest of Miles' groups? It was a more conservative time and in the 1950s, what we call Coltrane changes were dominant. Within the confines
of the fifties and sixties, there may have not been a greater quartet, quintet or sextet led by one musician. This recording taken with 'Round About Midnight are worth
more than the price of 2011 gold.
IMO, this recording is flawless, considering the time and maybe regardless of it.
Another classic from 1958
5
By CoolFreeHardBop3
Man, 1958 was an incredible year for modern jazz. The Blue Note and Prestige cats were blowing up a storm on the east coast, and the Contemporary and Pacific Jazz cats were cooling out like crazy. Beatniks were banging their bongos and smoking that stuff, and everything was just stone Kool. Another wild man named Ornette Coleman was starting up his thing in LA. Like, crazy, man.
THIS is my favorite Miles Davis record. Davis, Coltrane, Cannonball, and THE rhythm section of the ages. BUY!
By
CoolFreeHardBop - a certified Groovologist
Where is Miles?
4
By loafing_oaf
I was a bit disappointed with the relative scarcity of Miles' solos compared to the time Coltrane takes up on this album. If you started with Kind of Blue, you will not hear more of the same; all but one track use a brisk tempo. The album's namesake is the most fun track, and Two Bass Hit (both takes) are great examples of the saxaphone's strength: speed.
Major Classic
5
By lordnel
What, really, is there to talk about? This is a MAJOR classic album featuring major league players, and classic tunes. If you like jazz and don't own this album, BUY IT.
Highlight of the album...
5
By ever.magenta
the whole album is the masterpiece, but be definately be sure to listen to Coltranes solo on the alternate version of Straight No Chaser where he plays 2000 notes in about 2 minutes.
