Miles Davis – Volume 1: Blue Note Classic Vinyl (180g Mono Vinyl LP)

Blue Note Classic Vinyl Reissue Series All-Analog Mono 180g Vinyl LP Mastered by Kevin Gray Directly from the Original Master Tapes and Manufactured at Optimal in Germany

The legendary trumpeter Miles Davis was still near the beginning of his storied career when he cut the three sessions that comprise his Blue Note recordings in 1952, 1953, and 1954. In the late 1940s, Miles had been a member of Charlie Parker’s quintet and Dizzy Gillespie’s big band, as well as cutting select sides as a leader including the influential Birth of the Cool sessions for Capitol Records. Miles’ star was still rising at the time he hooked up with Alfred Lion and Blue Note, but he was clearly on his path towards becoming one of the greatest bandleaders in jazz.

Initially released across three 10″ LPs – Young Man With A Horn, Vol. 2, and Vol. 3 – the music captured on these Blue Note sides contains all the hallmarks of his early style from blazing bebop to beautiful ballads. When Blue Note transitioned to the 12″ LP in 1955, Lion compiled Miles’ recordings onto two volumes as the inaugural releases of the 1500 series. Volume 1 (Blue Note 1501) presents tracks from the 1952 and 1953 sextet sessions featuring two stellar line-ups with included trombonist J.J. Johnson, saxophonists Jackie McLean and Jimmy Heath, pianist Gil Coggins, bassists Oscar Pettiford and Percy Heath, and drummers Kenny Clarke and Art Blakey.

Musicians:
Miles Davis, trumpet
Gil Coggins, piano
Jay Jay Johnson, trombone
Jackie McLean, alto saxophone
Jimmy Heath, tenor saxophone
Oscar Pettiford / Percy Heath, bass
Art Blakey / Kenny Clarke, drums

1. Tempus Fugit
2. Kelo
3. Enigma
4. Ray’s Idea
5. How Deep Is The Ocean
6. C.T.A. (alternate master)
7. Dear Old Stockholm
8. Chance It
9. Yesterdays
10. Donna (alternate master)
11. C.T.A.
12. Woody’n You (alternate master)