MILESTONES

Released in 1958 and recorded in 2 sessions on Feb 4th and March 4th. This is one of his top albums and was a favourite of Dizzy Gillespie who was Mile's major influence throughout his early career. It was Diz who told Miles to stick with his tone and encouraged him to go his own way.

The band is stunning containing John Coltrane.Cannonball Adderley,Paul Chambers,Red Garland and Philly Joe Jones. Philly Joe Jones and Red Garland were both hard musicians with their sound and that is why they were not used for Kind of Blue in the rythmn section. Red was often referred to sounding like a cocktail bar pianist and Philly Joe Jones was a machine gun with his drumming but as usual Miles choice of muscians for his band was perfect.

The album starts off with Dr Jackle and Miles comes in with the first solo but it is the next track Sids Ahead and with that intro and the rythmn maintained by Paul Chambers throughout. Miles comes in 2nd here with that gorgeous low tone that he had. Billy Boy is the rythmn section only and really displays Red Garland's style on piano,great stuff. The most popular and well known track on the album apart from the Monk tune Straight No Chaser is Miles ( Milestones) I have always known the title of the track as simply just Miles but seems to called the full album title these days. Anyway you do not need to describe this as you need to hear it yourself simply beautiful and is often requested by family members to play this one first. There is not a poor track and this would be one of the best Hard Bop albums you could wish to own.

Absolutely essential if you like Jazz and 5 stars as this is a masterpiece in music.