Craft Recordingsis pleased to announce the release of the vinyl box set
edition of The Legendary Prestige Quintet Sessions from The Miles Davis
Quinteton November 8th. Celebrating the 70th anniversaryof Prestige Records, the
deluxe six-LP set presents the quintet’s marathon sessions for the iconic jazz
label, recorded between 1955–56, which resulted in classic albums such as
Cookin’, Relaxin’,Workin’, and Steamin’. Plus, the box set offers a bonus
LPwith audio from radio and TV appearances by the group. Pressed on 180-gram
vinyl at RTI, the discs are housed in a collectible 20-page hardcover linen-wrapped
portfolio-style book, featuring stunning photographs of Davis and the band,
plus in-depth liner notes from esteemed jazz historian Bob Blumenthal.
Miles Davis’
First Great Quintetwas assembled in 1955—a pivotal year for the trumpeter and
bandleader. Following a triumphant set at the Newport Jazz Festival, Davis was
at the top of his game, and enjoying newfound recognition by industry leaders,
critics, and fans alike.With a lineup that featured pianist Red Garland,
bassist Paul Chambers, drummer Philly Joe Jonesand a relatively unknown tenor
saxophonist named John Coltrane (replacing Sonny Rollins), the unit became
the dominant small jazz group of the late '50s and helped define the hard-bop
genre. In his liner notes, Bob Blumenthal writes “The Miles Davis Quintet heard
here was Davis’ means of seizing the moment when his physical health and his
musical concepts were on an upswing...This is the band Davis organized when he
wanted his recordings to stand for more than snapshots of his momentary
interests.”
Over the
course of a year—from November 1955 to October 1956—the quintet recorded three
exceptionally productive sessions with famed engineer Rudy Van Gelder,
simulating nightclub sets at Van Gelder’s Hackensack, New Jersey studio. The
resulting 32 tracks—presented in chronological order in this collection—would
make up five complete and significant albums: the quintet’s 1956 debut release,
Miles: The New Miles Davis Quintet, Cookin’ (1957),
Relaxin’ (1958),Workin’ (1959), and Steamin’ (1961). The quintet’s recording of
“’Round Midnight” would represent this ensemble’s lone contribution to the
album Miles Davis and the Modern Jazz Giants (1959).The majority of these tracks
are pop and jazz standards, along with several original compositions from
Davis. Highlights include a rendition of Thelonious Monk’s “’Round Midnight,”
which Davis would adopt as a signature tune, a scorching drum solo from Jones
on “Salt Peanuts,” Davis’ exquisite use of the Harmon mute on the intimate
ballads “My Funny Valentine” and “It Never Entered My Mind,” Garland’s
inspiring solo on “If I Were a Bell,”and a standout performance from the rhythm
section on “Blues by Five.”
Blumenthal
writes that during this era, “Davis understood the potential of the new, longer
12-inch album format, and used it to create definitive performances in a
variety of moods.” Adding, “The key was contrast, which began with the
juxtaposition of Davis’ concision, Coltrane’s complexity, and Garland’s
sparkle; extended to the textural variety the rhythm section provided each
soloist; and was capped by the distinctive range of the band’s repertoire.”
Because much
of the Quintet’s material was performed outside of the studio—in nightclubs and
concert halls—a bonus LP is included, which featureseight TV and radio
appearances, including live performances at Café Bohemia, the Blue Note in
Philadelphia and on Tonight Starring Steve Allen, offering a broader view of
the group’s exceptional work together.
The
Legendary Prestige Quintet Sessions was originally released as a CD box set in
2006, garnering wide critical acclaim. Jazz Times wrote that “To sit down with
the 32 [tracks], from “Stablemates” to “My Funny Valentine,” is to fall in love
all over again with irreplaceable music whose magic is utterly manifest yet
elusive of description.” All Music proclaimed, “Miles freaks…will have to have
this,” while Pop Matters declared the collection to be “Perfect.” Upon its
release, it peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart.
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