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Miles Davis: Birth Of The Cool

By Jim Santella
February 1, 2001
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The improved sound quality of this classic recording is immediately perceptible. Without that clear tuba and baritone saxophone bottom, Miles Davis' open trumpet would seem to be wandering in a different phase of his career. A valuable asset such as the first half of "Moon Dreams," which blends Gunther Schuller's French horn harmony and two distinct saxophone voices with one distant J.J. Johnson thread could have easily become lost without the right balance. This new Rudy Van Gelder edition has brought the original tapes from each tune to 24-bit digital with a superior result. Davis' open horn, Gerry Mulligan's expressive baritone and Lee Konitz' singular alto tone lead these trailblazing 1949 and 1950 sessions. Featured performers Kai Winding, Max Roach, Mulligan, Konitz and Davis create a mellow blend that has spawned uncounted limbs on the family tree. Davis' open trumpet tone has always represented the best because of his attention to the quality. Too bad the arrangements were held to about three minutes or so in length, because these nonets could improvise forever around their classic tunes. Fortunately, this recording has inspired millions, so that the music lives on in the guise of today's students of the art.

Track Listing

Move; Jeru; Moon Dreams; Venus De Milo; Budo; Deception; Godchild; Boplicity; Rocker; Israel; Rouge; Darn That Dream.

Personnel

Miles Davis

trumpet

Miles Davis, trumpet; Lee Konitz, alto saxophone; Gerry Mulligan, baritone saxophone; Junior Collins, Sandy Siegelstein, Gunther Schuller, French horn; Kai Winding, J.J. Johnson, trombone; John Barber, tuba; Al Haig, John Lewis, piano; Nelson Boyd, Joe Shulman, Al McKibbon, bass; Max Roach, Kenny Clarke, drums; Kenny Hagood, vocal on

Album information

Title: Birth Of The Cool | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Capitol Records

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