Search - Miles Davis :: Miles in Berlin

The single most balanced lineup of Miles' career

Mike | San Jose, CA | 07/26/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Davis / Shorter / Hancock / Carter / Williams / ...1964 to 1968...was the single most balanced lineup of Miles' career.



One a one-on-one basis, you might be able to build a case for individual musicians or ensemble performances that featured a greater degree of finesse or nuance or beauty than "The Second Great Quintet."



And with the introduction of guitar to Miles' arsenal and players like John McLaughlin, Pete Cosey, Sonny Sharrock and Reggie Lucas, you can find more bombastic lineups without breaking a sweat. Look no further than Dark Magus: Live At Carnegie Hall [2-CD SET], Agharta, or Pangaea...and that's just for starters.



But you won't find a single lineup that consistently matched muscle with skill in such equal proportions. Listening to "Miles In Berlin," it's almost impossible to believe that these recordings are 45 years old. The sound is crisp and clean, the instruments are clearly defined, and the band effortlessly glides in and out of stretches of pure "blowing" into lyrical, attention-grabbing passages.



"Miles In Berlin" is included in the box set Seven Steps: The Complete Columbia Recordings 1963-1964...which is itself more than worthy of your attention...but "Miles In Berlin" makes up the final disc, which captured one of the earliest stage performances of "The Second Great Quintet."



Starting out with "Milestones," each band member gets a chance to stretch out and warm up. It's then time to settle back into the relaxed groove of "Autumn Leaves," followed by an energetic "So What" (a visit to the somewhat recent and groundbreaking past of Kind of Blue, coming from a man who was quite vocal about his dislike of looking back), then the gorgeous "Stella By Starlight," followed by another aerobic workout from the band on "Walkin'" and the set-closing walk-off snippet "Go-Go (Theme)."



There are no highlights on this album. It's a 57 minute highlight. It is one of the few concert albums that you can put on and lose yourself in, from start to finish. At this point, the "Second Great Quintet" was just taking its first baby steps, but the greatness was apparent to anyone with ears.



An absolutely essential addition to any Miles Davis collection."

The best group ever

R comme Ralingue | Bordeaux, France | 12/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is it. The Best group of all time in jazz.

I totally agree the previews below and especially the one by Guido Jaguer. If you want to know what jazz is all about, try this one. If you want to know what/who is the main influence on jazz today, try this one. If you want to know more, try the concert in February 1964 (My Funny Valentine). If you can't afford like me the complete 1963-1964 sessions (Seven steps to Heaven/Live in Juan Les Pins/ Live in New-York / Live in Tokyo / Live in Berlin)."