Search - Miles Davis :: Sorcerer (Reis)

Continuing to push the musical envelope (4.5 stars)

John Alapick | Wilkes-Barre, PA United States | 12/31/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Sorcerer shows the second Miles Davis Quintet continuing to push the envelope musically. While the tracks are not as memorable overall as those as on their previous release, Miles Smiles, the music on Sorcerer is more adventurous and the interplay is very impressive. The fiery "Prince of Darkness" is a great opener as Davis has a great expressive solo while Shorter's solo is more dramatic and features many rapid flurries of notes. "Pee Wee" is another strong track that is soothing and contains some creative bass playing from Ron Carter. "Masqualero" is an awesome tune with mood swings throughout and Tony Williams' drumming mirroring those changes. The title track is a killer as Davis and Shorter effortlessly trade off solos before Hancock lays down a wicked solo of his own. "Limbo" is another great hard bop tune that mellows down big time near the end. "Vonetta" is pretty laid back but stays interesting due to Hancock's sparse playing and Williams' drum fills. Sorcerer then takes a strange twist with "Nothing Like You" featuring the distinctive vocals of legendary pianist Bob Dorough. The remastered version also includes alternate takes of "Masqualero" and "Limbo." All told, while not quite on the level of Miles Smiles or Filles de Kilimanjaro, Sorcerer shows the Miles Davis Quintet really coming in their own musically as Davis' road to what would become fusion continues."

Weakest of the Second Quintet discs, but still a fine album

finulanu | Here, there, and everywhere | 02/12/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Okay, let's face it: Nothing Like You was a misstep. I'm not a huge fan of Pee Wee either. But hey, Prince of Darkness, Masqualero and The Sorcerer are total classics, and Tony Williams could out-drum anyone. Ron Carter shines on bass, too, as does Shorter. Miles takes a backseat as he did on Nefertiti, and his dominant presence on Miles Smiles and E.S.P. is here missed. I'd recommend getting the other Quintet albums (E.S.P.; Miles Smiles; Nefertiti; Miles in the Sky) beforehand, starting with Miles Smiles. But don't get me wrong, you'd be selling yourself short without The Sorcerer."