Miles Davis – Steamin’ With The Miles Davis Quintet (AP Mono 180g Vinyl LP)

Cut from the analogue masters by renowned mastering engineer Kevin Gray

180-gram pressing by Quality Record Pressings

“Analogue Productions has continued to push its own already high bar higher still. Its Quality Record Pressings plant is delivering the best vinyl discs to be found, its jackets and cover reproduction quality have hit new levels, and it continues to have the best in the biz — such as Kevin Gray for this series (25 mono LPs from the Prestige label’s exceptional late-50s run) cut lacquers from original analog master tapes. … Steamin’ is the warmest sounding of the lot, with wonderful textures and detail. It also has the most relaxed and easy feeling of these titles, even when the band is smoking on tunes like the bop classic ‘Salt Peanuts.'” — Wayne Garcia, The Absolute Sound, December 2015

Of Miles Davis’s many bands, none was more influential and popular than the quintet with John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones. Davis’s muted ballads and medium-tempo standards endeared him to the public. The horns’ searing exposition of classics like “Salt Peanuts” and “Well, You Needn’t” captivated musicians. The searching, restless improvisations of Coltrane intrigued listeners who had a taste for adventure. The flawless rhythm section became a model for bands everywhere.

Although there is no original material on Steamin, it may best represent the ability of the Miles Davis quintet to take standards and rebuild them to suit their qualifications. Steamin’ is a significant portion of the music of this remarkable group.