Davis With John Coltrane
"The Complete Columbia Recordings"
(Columbia/Legacy)
So much has been said about these two great jazz artists that it's difficult to add any new thoughts regarding their formidable collaborations. The union between Miles Davis and John Coltrane occurred primarily between the years of 1956 and 1961. While all of the recordings on "The Complete Columbia Recordings" feature Miles as the domineering bandleader and Trane the gifted sideman, this six-CD set dutifully captures one of the more compelling partnerships in the history of jazz. Documenting Miles Davis' gradual but direct transition from straight-ahead jazz explorations into a cooler, more modal approach towards group improvisation, these were groundbreaking years for the trumpeter and his ever-shifting group of supporting musicians. Besides the estimable presence of Coltrane on tenor saxophone, Miles enjoyed the contributions of jazz luminaries including pianist Bill Evans, altoist Cannonball Adderly, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Philly Joe Jones. This was an incredibly prolific time for Miles. As well as including a substantial amount of previously unreleased recordings after all these years, this collection showcases the sessions that gave birth to classic albums like "Kind Of Blue," "'Round About Midnight" and "Someday My Prince Will Come." The inclusion of multiple versions of songs like "Bye Bye Blackbird" and "Two Bass Hit" make this collection somewhat redundant for the casual jazz listener. Still, the sterling musicianship of Miles and Trane redeems nearly every performance on these six discs. While jazz has matured greatly since these men were together, their music still sounds ahead of its time.
by Mitch Myers
copyright 1999 New City Communications, Inc.