This compilation is taken from the masterful and wondrous box set issued late in the year 2000. It is assembled with the kind of care only producers such as
Bob Belden
and
Michael Cuscuna
could muster. Featuring nine selections, it begins with the first recorded appearance of the new
Miles Davis Quintet
in 1955 that featured the two principals,
Red Garland
,
Paul Chambers
, and
Philly Joe Jones
. Aside from an alternate take of
"Straight, No Chaser"
and the inclusion of
"Dear Old Stockholm"
-- standard enough in the quintet's repertoire but not a signature number -- the disc traces the evolution of the band through its extension into a sextet. The quintet tracks are the opening two and
"Bye Bye Blackbird,"
as well as
"Round About Midnight."
The showcase continues on the tracks
and the modal masterpiece
"Milestones,"
both by the sextet that added
Cannonball Adderley
. The band evolved further with the departures of
, who were replaced by drummer
Jimmy Cobb
Bill Evans
for the
Kind of Blue
recording -- which also included piano contributions from
Wynton Kelly
, who would later replace
Evans
. Tracks from that classic session included here are
"So What"
"Blue in Green."
The album closes with a further evolution of the sextet, and the last that included
Coltrane
.
Hank Mobley
joined the band to replace
Adderley
Kelly
was the band's full-time pianist. The last cut,
"Someday My Prince Will Come,"
features the most searing and melodic solo
ever played during his tenure with
Davis
. Its intensity is white hot and his lyricism is unrivaled. It was the way to go out -- swinging. The choices here may be obvious, but there is the alternate take of
that is worthy as an unreleased gem. And for those looking for a powerhouse glimpse of the
/
collaboration, this is a fine one. ~ Thom Jurek