Miles Davis & Gil Evans: The Best Of (1997)

Despite the daunting prospect of editing the six-CD collection of the complete 1957-63 studio works of Davis and Evans into a one-hour sampler, the compilers chose wisely. Nine of the 12 selections are familiar master takes of classic Davis-Evans works. Five are from the duo's biggest popular success, 1958's PORGY AND BESS, three are orchestral tracks from 1957's MILES AHEAD and the stunning 16-minute interpretation of the Adagio movement of Joaquin Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez" from 1960's SKETCHES OF SPAIN sparkles like a jewel.
These well-known pieces sound brand new, thanks to a brilliant remastering job. The last three cuts whet the appetites of those intrigued by the box set's hours of outtakes and rarities: alternate takes of "Wait Till You See Her" and "Corcovado" from 1962's QUIET NIGHTS, as well as an excerpt from Davis and Evans' masterful but rarely-heard score for the 1963 play "The Time of the Barracudas." This is essential music.
All tracks on this album come from the six-CD MILES DAVIS & GIL EVANS: THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA STUDIO RECORDINGS box set on Columbia (67397).
Recorded at 30th Street Studio, New York, New York and Columbia Stuios, Hollywood, California between May 1957 and October 1963. Includes liner notes by Bill Kirchner.

Tracklist:

1 My Ship 4:28
Drums - Art Taylor
Piano - Wynton Kelly
Saxophone [Alto] - Lee Konitz
2 Miles Ahead 3:30
Drums - Art Taylor
3 Blues For Pablo 5:19
Drums - Art Taylor
4 Gone 3:37
Drums - "Philly" Joe Jones
5 My Man's Gone Now 6:15
Drums - "Philly" Joe Jones
6 I t Ain't Necessarily So 4:24
7 Summertime 3:18
8 I Loves You, Porgy 3:40
9 Concierto De Aranjuez (Adagio) 16:19
Producer - Irving Townsend
10 Wait Till You See Her 4:02
11 ?Corcovado 2:42
12 The Time Of The Carracudas (Excerpt) 3:06
Bass - Ron Carter
Drums - Tony Williams*
Piano - Herbie Hancock
Producer - Irving Townsend

Personnel: Miles Davis (flageolet); Janet Putnam (harp); Jerome Richardson (flute, alto flute, clarinet); Romeo Penque (flute, clarinet, oboe); Eddie Caine, Sid Cooper (flute, clarinet); Raymond Beckenstein (flute, reeds); Harold Feldman (clarinet, oboe); Danny Bank (clarinet); Garvin Bushell (bassoon, contrabassoon); Jack Knitzer, Bob Tricarico (bassoon); Bill Kirchner (saxophone); Lee Konitz, Cannonball Adderley (alto saxophone); Louis Mucci, Ernie Royal, Johnny Carisi, Johnny Coles, Taft Jordan, Bernie Glow (trumpet); Tony Miranda, Gunther Schuller, Julius Watkins, Willie Ruff, James Buffington, Earl Chapin, Ray Alonge (French horn); Dick Hixon, Frank Rehak, Tommy Mitchell , Jimmy Cleveland, Joe Bennett (trombone); Phil Bodner, Billy Barber (tuba); Wynton Kelly (piano); Jimmy Cobb , Philly Joe Jones, Art Taylor (drums); Willie Bobo (bongos); Elvin Jones, Jose Mangual (percussion).

-------------------

Fileserve @ 320K

Lew Soloff: Yesterdays (1986)

Lew Soloff ia s brilliant high-note trumpeter long in great demand for big bands and session work. He is also a distinctive soloist and an expert with the plunger mute. After studying at Juilliard, he freelanced in New York with Maynard Ferguson, Joe Henderson, and Clark Terry, among others, and then was a part of Blood, Sweat & Tears during 1968-1973. Soloff was closely associated with Gil Evans from 1973 on, and also played with George Gruntz's Concert Jazz Band, the Manhattan Jazz Quintet, and Carla Bley; he was also teamed with the colorful trombonist Ray Anderson on several often-humorous recordings.

A stunning album of fusion-treated jazz standards, 'Yesterdays" includes several original compositions by Soloff and features Mike Stern (g), Charnett Moffett (b), and Elvin Jones (d). Mike Stern's guitar work is featured prominently throughout.

Tracklist:

1.Yesterdays - Harbach, Kern 9:46
2.Barbara - Silver 8:55
3.Beautiful Mimi - Soloff 3:37
4.All Blues - Davis 8:59
5.Thaddeus - Soloff 6:28
6.Little Laura - Soloff 6:00
7.Antigua - Prince 7:21

------------------------

Fileserve @ 320K