Miles Davis – Seven Steps To Heaven (180g, QRP, Analogue Productions)
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When his quintet disbanded and a West Coast tour was planned, Miles hired George Coleman, who had been recommended by John Coltrane, and Ron Carter, a young graduate of the Manhattan School of Music and very active on the New York scene. Frank Butler, then the best black drummer in L.A., a kind of Philly Joe Jones of the West Coast, and Victor Feldman, an English pianist, joined them for a recording session. The band's repertoire reflected Feldman's influence. He composed "Joshua," co-composed "Seven Steps To Heaven," and recommended "So Near, So Far," which was composed by two fellow BritsHowever, only three of the four ballads (played by the quartet without saxophone) were included on the album. Miles re-recorded the other three, more spirited pieces with Tony Williams, the young drummer he had just discovered through Jackie McLean when he returned to New York. Victor Feldman stayed in California, and Herbie Hancock completed this new quintet. For two days Miles listened to them rehearse over the intercom in his apartment. On the third day he joined them, and the next day he brought them into the studio. He knew this group would bring the house down.
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Artist: Miles DavisLabel: Analogue Productions, ColumbiaFormat: LPUnits: 1Country: USGenre: JazzStyle: Hard Bop
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"...The Analogue Productions sound is visceral and crisp in the best sense, and the quiet pressings ensure that no musical detail is even mildly obscured...with these 45 RPM LPs, if your system is up to the task, you'll hear boundless high-frequency reach and lavish dynamic nuance and harmonic delicacy." - Marc Mickelson, The Audio Beat, December 2010
In 1963, Miles Davis was at a transitional point in his career, without a regular group and wondering what his future musical direction would be. At the time he recorded the music heard on this disc, he was in the process of forming a new band, as can be seen from the personnel: tenor saxophonist George Coleman, Victor Feldman (who turned down the job) and Herbie Hancock on pianos, bassist Ron Carter, and Frank Butler and Tony Williams on drums. Recorded at two separate sessions, this set is highlighted by the classic "Seven Steps To Heaven," "Joshua" and slow passionate versions of "Basin Street Blues" and "Baby Won't You Please Come Home."
A fantastic-sounding album. Mastered by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound, and pressed on 180-gram vinyl by the best in the business, Quality Record Pressings. An old-style tip-on jacket by Stoughton Printing makes this one a jewel for your LP collection.