LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

Miles Davis's name is synonymous with romantic ballad playing of the highest order. With his trademark close-miked, Harmon-muted trumpet sound (heard here on all but two tracks) and his poetic phrasing, Miles was to instrumental romance of the day what Sinatra was to vocal. In this collection we are treated to eight classic American standards as only Miles could interpret them, plus four superb songs by great jazz composers--Duke Ellington's "Just Squeeze Me," Dave Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way," Thelonious Monk's "'Round Midnight" and Charles Mingus's "Smooch." The accompaniment is a who's who of the premier rhythm sections of the 1950s and on four tracks Miles's soon-to-be-legendary saxophone player John Coltrane. Pianists Red Garland and Horace Silver, bassists Paul Chambers and Charles Mingus, and drummer Philly Joe Jones are just some of the giants to be heard with Miles on this collection. If you're looking for music that will put you in the mood, go no farther. This is the place to be. My Funny Valentine, You're My Everything, Smooch, Just Squeeze Me, Easy Living, There Is No Greater Love, It Never Entered My Mind, In Your Own Sweet Way, You Don't Know What Love Is, Nature Boy, 'Round Midnight, When I Fall In Love with John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones