Miles Davis-Milestones

Recorded in 1958, prior to the more famous and revered Kind of Blue, Miles Davis' album Milestones is a masterpiece. The first go for his famous sextet of Davis on Trumpet, John Coltrane on Tenor, Cannonball Adderley on Alto, Red Garland on Piano, Paul Chambers on Bass, and Philly Joe Jones on Drums, this album rips from the opening Dr. Jackle to the concluding rendition of Thelonious Monk’s Staight, No Chaser. Even more extraordinary is that the entire album was recorded in two days: April 2-3, 1958. At this juncture in his career, Davis is in firm control of the cool, modal sound he developed as a leader over the preceding years, ready to cast it permanently in the modern, post-bop, jazz idiom with the release of Kind of Blue the following year. However, the significance of Milestones must not be overlooked. Coltrane’s “sheets of sound” is heard as his developing, signature style which will soon take him away from Davis into his own leadership role. Particularly, listen to his solo on Monk’s Straight, No Chaser (second sax on the piece). A brilliant scream of a solo. Two days! Imagine today’s players, whether in jazz, rock, soul or whatever, stepping into the studio, laying out the charts, and firing off a classic in two days. Perhaps therein lies the problem. It is often said that the studio lacks the spontaneity of the “live” recording, but how can spontaneity thrive under the techno, digital microscope of today’s recording process? More deference should be given to the creative force of the musician and trust the outcome will make the desired, artistic connection with the public. You can’t manufacture this stuff. It has to pour directly from the soul.