Customer Reviews

Relaxin With the Miles Davis Quintet (Reis)

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I remember when my musical interest was first drawn to jazz. I spent a summer working a lonely late shift on the Wisconsin-Illinois border, and the only tolerable radio station I could pick up was WBEZ out of Chicago. Legendary jazz DJ Larry Smith became my nightly guru, and I was converted.

But when the time came to start building a Jazz collection, I was clueless where to start. Like an endless parade of other newbies (I'm sure) I followed the ubiquitous advice and purchased "Kind of Blue"--a fortuitous beginning indeed! But I was on my own for the second choice. I will come clean and admit that I picked "Relaxin" solely because the cover art struck me as the hippest example of 50's cool I ever saw. Hmmm...how often do you get this lucky twice in a row?

This quintet OWNED jazz from '55 to '58. Their pinnacle achievement was the four albums they knocked off for Rudy Van Gelder in two marathon "live in the studio" recording sessions in '56. All four titles are essential. Of the four, Relaxin' is arguably the best. Jazz doesn't get any better than this. If you don't own this CD, you're not a true jazz fan, so be sure to rectify that situation immediately!

Then follow up by purchasing "Something Else" (issued under Cannonball Adderley's name, but in reality a Miles Davis session). Then buy everything from Miles' second great quintet from the 60's...his groundbreaking projects with Gil Evans...where do you stop?

Perfect is hard to define in jazz. In the traditional sense, "perfect" would mean without mistakes, but that denies the human element at the core of this music. What is perfect in jazz is when you sit and listen to Miles or Coltrane play something that is entirely them, and you could never think of any other way they should have played what they just did. "Kind of Blue" is one of those albums, when everything lines up and the creation is natural and beautiful. This album, recorded three years earlier, is another.

Miles hauled his band into the studio for Prestige records to fulfill the rest of his contract, and he cut four albums with two marathon recording sessions loosely constructed of standards. Miles didn't bother with many takes of the same tune and that is what makes his recordings almost as spontaneous as his live performances. This album is one result of those two sessions, and it's probably the strongest of the four albums. The tunes featured are very nice vehicles for incredibly melodic, tasteful playing by the entire group. That group, by the way, is known as the first great quintet, made up of Miles, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones. While I'm not a big fan of Red Garland (I'm a piano player myself) I do appreciate his sense of swing and his taste and it's in evidence here. Trane was just getting his bearings and is still a little rough but he manages to put out some incredible ideas. The rhythm section holds down the groove really well. Then there's Miles, who is relaxed (mostly muted) and as melodic as any of his recordings. I listen to this album and, cliche as it may sound, all of my anxieties just melt away. My favorite tune on here is "If I Were A Bell," one Miles would continue to play brilliantly for years but he would never match the softly swinging vibe he created with it here. Tempos vary on this album but nothing is supercharged or blazingly fast, hence the title. The complete picture is one of spontaneous creation of beautiful music, the epitome of playing inside the form while still being creative and just swinging hard.

In terms of accessibility, the only sticky wicket is the playing of Coltrane. Non-jazz listeners looking for classy background music for a dinner party will find his tone abrasive and his budding "sheets of sound" to be quite odd. But serious listeners will be able to appreciate what he was reaching for (he hadn't yet found it all the way) and be fascinated by this stage of his development. The rest of the group is very in the pocket while still being interesting, so there's nothing too outlandish about this music. I can safely recommend it to anyone who appreciates the beauty of simplicity and space in music. Just be sure you really listen closely to pick up on the subtleties. Jazz like this will not demand your attention, but once you give it, it is some of the most rewarding music out there.

This 1957 recording is one of my favorite Miles albums. It has everything that was great about Miles and his band: the lyrical, muted trumpet lines mixed with the aggressive saxophone playing of John Coltrane, the great pianist Red Garland, bassist Paul Chambers, and the always versatile Philly Joe Jones. What a great recording this is! I believe Miles cut this album along with "Cookin," "Steamin," and "Workin" all within a few days. That creative force was flowing from Miles around the time of these albums, because he had kicked his drug habit and was about to sign with Columbia Records where he would remain until the early '90s.

From the title, you might think Relaxin' is the most laid-back of the 4 albums made from the giant Prestige sessions. Actually, the song tempos are mostly up-beat. Oleo seems to cook along. This CD is better than "Workin'", and about equal to "Steamin'". I don't have "Cookin'" yet. I have two live Miles Davis versions of "If I Were A Bell", and this version is better than either one (though not a live album, these songs were mostly done in one take). "You're My Everything" might the most relaxing song on the set. There are toe-tapping versions of "I Could Write A Book" and "Oleo". "It Could Happen To You" is another easier-swinging song, then the CD ends with Dizzy's "Woody'N You". Miles' trumpet is in fine form, and Coltrane is good, though his best work was yet to come. Anyone who likes mid-50's jazz should get this CD.

The Miles Davis Quintet powered through two days of sessions in 1956 that produced for albums for Prestige Records, which were the last for the label.

Davis (tr), John Coltrane (sax), Philly Joe Jones (d), Red Garland (p) and Paul Chambers (b) are hip to the beats on these six numbers, which clock in at 33:15. The standout is Oleo, though the beautiful You're My Everything and 'Woody 'n' You simply sizzle.

You may be too cool to move, but the tracks will at least get your mind dancin'.

This is a very cool record packed full of smooth and yet high octane jazz/bop. The musician's on board are in top form. From Miles to John Coltrane on tenor sax, Red Garland on paino, Paul Chambers on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums. This is titled Relaxin', I suppose you could do that however it makes me want to tap my feet and get up and move. Recorded in 1956 by the legendary Rudy Van Gelder. This a keeper as are the other records associated with this session, Workin', Steamin' and Walkin'. All amazing session's and not to be missed. These recordings belong in any jazz lovers collection. So grab it and groove.

A fine cd by Miles Davis. This is one of a series of 4 albums that Miles Davis and his quintet recorded for prestige records. Here with a great lineup that included,John Coltrane on Tenor Saxaphone,Red Garland on piano, and Philly Joe Jones on drums. This is one that's sure to satisfy any jazz afficianato. And Miles never sounded better. Highly recomended.