DAVIS, Miles Archives - Guerssen Records

Cookin’ (Limited Edition)

GuerssenAdmin — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 22:00:00 +0000

Miles Davis’ quintet was formed in 1955 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest combos in jazz history. Each of its members was an individual creative force that could have easily been a leader. Besides Miles on trumpet, it featured John Coltrane on tenor sax, Red Garland on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Art Taylor on drums. Cookin’ is the first in a series of four albums (its followers were Steamin’, Workin’ and Relaxin’) taped during two massively productive recording sessions during May and October of 1956.

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Walkin’ (Limited Edition)

GuerssenAdmin — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 22:00:00 +0000

Walkin’was (and is) a key album in Miles Davis’ discography. It contains the product of two different sessions. The first date, which is actually the second chronologically, yielded just two tracks. Although, something new for the time, they were long enough to fill up one side of an LP.
5 Stars AllMusic: “The undeniable strength and conviction present in Miles Davis’ performance on Walkin’, underscores the urgency and passion with which he would rightfully reclaim his status as a primary architect of bop. Davis is supported by his all-stars, consisting of his primary rhythm section:Horace Silver (piano),Percy Heath (bass), andKenny Clarke (drums). Walkin! is a thoroughly solid effort.”
‘I’ll Remember April’from the same session, but not included on the original LP, has been added as a bonus.

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Bags Groove (Mono)

GuerssenAdmin — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 22:00:00 +0000

There are a multitude of reasons why Bags’ Groove remains a cornerstone of the post-bop genre. Of course, says All Music Guide, there will always be the lure of the urban myth surrounding the Christmas Eve 1954 session — featuring Thelonious Monk — which is documented on the two takes of the title track. There are obviously more tangible elements, such as Davis’ practically telepathic runs with Sonny Rollins (tenor sax). Or Horace Silver’s (piano) uncanny ability to provide a stream of chord progressions that supply a second inconspicuous lead without ever overpowering. Indeed, Davis’ choice of former Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra and concurrent Modern Jazz Quartet members Milt Jackson (vibes), Kenny Clarke (drums), and Percy Heath (bass) is obviously well-informed. This combo became synonymous with the ability to tastefully improvise and provide bluesy bop lines in varied settings. The up-tempo and Latin-infused syncopation featured during the opening of Airegin flows into lines and minor-chord phrasings that would reappear several years later throughout Davis’ Sketches of Spain epic. The fun and slightly maniacally toned Oleo features one of Heath’s most impressive displays on Bags’ Groove. His staccato accompaniment exhibits the effortless nature with which these jazz giants are able to incorporate round after round of solos onto the larger unit. Bags’ Groove belongs as a cornerstone of all jazz collections.

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Relaxin’ (Mono)

GuerssenAdmin — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 22:00:00 +0000

Relaxin’ with the Miles Davis Quintet is in every way a masterpiece. When Miles Davis, the trumpeter (1926-1991), had formed the band in 1955, his colleagues – tenor saxophonist John Coltrane, pianist Red Garland, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Philly Joe Jones – were not considered jazz-world A-listers. And before conquering his narcotics addiction earlier in the ’50s, Davis had seen his once-promising career go into eclipse. By 1956, however, his sound, especially when muted, was an achingly personal counterpart to the vocals of Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra. Relaxin’ (plus its prestige companions, Miles, Cookin’, Workin’ and Steamin’) reestablished Davis, and elevated his quintet as the gold standard of small groups.
This set is called Relaxin’ because of the ballad performances in several different bright tempos. From medium-bounce to crisply up, Relaxin’ remains one of Davis’s sunniest outings, a prime example of one of the outstanding ensembles of the 20th century reaching the summit of their artistry.

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Live In Tokyo, July 1985. FM Broadcast

GuerssenAdmin — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 22:00:00 +0000

Live in Tokyo, July 1985. FM broadcast.
TRACKLIST: 01. One Phone Call – Street Scenes 02. Star People 03. Human Nature 04. Code M.D. 05. Time After Time 06. Ms. Morrisine 07. Katia

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The Unissued Japanese Concerts (2LP)

GuerssenAdmin — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 23:00:00 +0000

Deluxe gatefold set – pressed on limited edition 180g vinyl. Miles Davis toured Japan for the first time during July 1964. Although several concerts were booked, only three performances are known to have taken place: the well-known July 14 show at Kohseinenkin Hall, in Tokyo, which was issued on LP, and the lesser-known July 12 & 15 concerts presented on this set.
Saxophonist George Coleman had left Davis’ Quintet before this tour and replaced by Sam Rivers on recommendation of the quintet’s drummer Tony Williams. Other than the three concert dates in Japan, no other collaborations been Miles and Same Rivers exist.
LP1: Recorded live at Hibaya Yagai Ongaku-do Hall, Tokyo, Japan, July 12, 1964.
LP2: Recorded live at Maruyama Ongaku-do Hall, Kyoto, Japan, July 15, 1964.

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