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Review 1
Recorded while Miles Davis was still signed to Prestige -- and still owed the label several albums -- Round About Midnight finds Miles' first classic quintet hitting its stride, cutting an album that set the standard for hard bop. This is classic music not just because it's so exceptionally performed, capturing a terrific group at its peak, but because it perfectly summarizes all the attributes of hard bop. This, for the casual jazz fan, is what a jazz band should sound like, as Miles' cool trumpet pushes and pulls against the hot saxophone of John Coltrane, with pianist Red Garland, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Philly Joe Jones providing supple, sympathetic support. Needless to say, the more sophisticated listener will find much to treasure within the interplay of this group, since it not only captures a phenomenal group at its absolute peak, it demonstrates what hard bop should be -- searching, surprising, accessible, but never predictable. This is what makes it worthwhile to jazzbos, but the great thing about this record is that it isn't for snobs. This is vital music that remains lively decades after its original release. While the trio of Workin', Relaxin', and Steamin' impresses because of the three albums' sheer drive and sustained energy, this is more concentrated, eloquent, and elegant, perhaps the best way to hear Miles and Coltrane in a pure hard bop setting. [Columbia/Legacy's 2001 reissue contains four bonus tracks from the sessions -- "Two Bass Hit," "Little Melonae," "Budo," and "Sweet Sue, Just You" -- which may not provide revelations, but certainly nicely enhance an already classic album.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
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Players
Miles Davis |
Tracks
1. 'Round Midnight
2. Ah-Leu-Cha
3. All of You
4. Bye Bye Blackbird
5. Tadd's Delight
6. Dear Old Stockholm
7. Two Bass Hit
8. Little Melonae
9. Budo
10. Sweet Sue, Just You |
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