Miles Davis - Round About Midnight (Spec) [Original Recording Remastered, Special Edition](Audio CD - 2005)

Miles Davis' entry into the Sony Legacy Edition series features his Columbia Records debut and the first offering from his quintet with John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones. The label already issued the album in a definitive presentation with four additional tracks taken from the sessions onboard. Musically, the sound on 'Round About Midnight is as unusual and beautiful as it was when it was issued in 1956. Davis, having already spearheaded two changes in jazz -- with cool jazz and hard bop -- was beginning to move in another direction here that wouldn't be defined for another two years. The title track showcasing his muted trumpet premiered at the Newport Jazz Festival the previous summer (in a sextet with Thelonious Monk on piano) to a thunderous reception, and the studio offering is stunning as well. Charlie Parker's "Au Leu-Cha" is edgy, with deep blues leaping from every chord. Coltrane's solo is notable for its stark contrast to Davis' own: Coltrane chooses an angular tack where he finds the heart of the mode and plays in harmonic counterpoint to the changes but never sounds outside. Cole Porter's "All of You" has Davis quoting from Louis Armstrong's "Basin Street Blues" in his solo. On "Bye-Bye Blackbird" we get to hear the band gel as a unit, beginning with Davis playing through the head, muted and sweet, slightly flatted out until he reaches the chorus and begins his solo on a high note. Garland slips shapes into those interval cracks and shifts them as the rhythm section keeps "soft time." Of the bonus material, the gem is Jackie McLean's "Little Melonae" -- Davis and company recorded before the composer could. The band comes out blazing on this set, but it's Coltrane who's the surprise in his quoting various Dizzy Gillespie solos.

Condition:NEW. Brand New Factory Sealed
TRACK LISTINGS
Disc 1
1 'Round Midnight 5:58
2 Ah-Leu-Cha 5:53
3 All of You 7:03
4 Bye Bye Blackbird 7:57
5 Tadd's Delight 4:29
6 Dear Old Stockholm 7:52
7 Two Bass Hit Bonus Track 3:44
8 Little Melonae Bonus Track 7:22
9 Budo Bonus Track 4:17
10 Sweet Sue, Just You Bonus Track 3:40

Disc 2
1 'Round Midnight Live 6:00
2 Introduction Live / previously unreleased 1:35
3 Chance It (AKA Max Is Making Wax) Live / previously unreleased 4:33
4 Walkin' Live / previously unreleased 10:02
5 Gene Norman & Miles Davis Live / previously unreleased 0:27
6 It Never Entered My Mind Live / previously unreleased 5:17
7 Woody 'N You Live / previously unreleased 5:45
8 Salt Peanuts Live / previously unreleased 4:33
9 The Theme Live / previously unreleased 0:27