Search - Miles Davis :: Quintet/Sextet

Kind of Green

Deleauvive | Paris XIV - FRANCE | 03/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Miles was one of the originator of the "Cool" tone, and we can't be grateful enough to him and to Gil Evans for that. This record is a brilliant example of his dueting abilities, as he and Bags steal the show. I won't say much about Milt Jackson, as everyone would agree that he masters the vibraphone with eloquence, style and impeccable technique.



In 1954, when Miles recorded with the personnel of one of his famous first Quintet (picking up his best bandmates in this period, inmho), who do you think "Bags" was in "Bag's Groove"?



If you're into mid-fifties Miles like me, grab : All of his 1952 to 54 Master Takes , the Modern Jazz Giants concert, and Bag's New Groove (it's Miles with the MJQ, whatever they call it). The Coltrane-Miles association, which occured later on, is heavily documented.



Do I need to mention that the brilliant Jackie McLean is on Alto Sax during this session?"

Fun For Collectors, But Not a Lasting Album

jazzNeophyte | Iowa City | 10/25/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Although I love Miles Davis, I think this album isn't going to stick with me, so to speak. It's upbeat, quick, and fun at first, but it lacks the complexity and feeling of the great Davis albums like KIND OF BLUE and 'ROUND ABOUT MIDNIGHT. I may be just a musical philistine, but I think one of the things that turns me off of the album is the vibraphone. Add to this that the album's pretty short; if they had some alternate takes or bonus tracks it might be interesting, but at this point it's a little thin. I will say that the final track, "Changes," is the best track on the album and probably worth buying by itself as an MP3. So, with the final verdict on this album being something like a "meh," I say: "Take it from the Neophyte. Decide for yourself.""