Trumpeter Mark Isham's Miles Remembered: The Silent Way Project is another in a slew of Miles Davis tributes released in the late 1990s. It follows Miles tributes by Wadada Leo Smith and Henry Kaiser (Yo Miles!) and produc... more »er Bill Laswell (Panthalassa) in looking back specifically on the great trumpeter's electric period of the early 1970s. Purist fans of this part of Miles's career might be a little put off by Isham's live recording, as The Silent Way Project is more his own interpretations of several themes from the period than a collection of unerringly faithful versions. The title track, for example, is almost unrecognizable as Isham and his band veer off into ambient territory after the initial opening theme. Also, the overall vibe the band generates is in truth closer to the slicker sound of Miles's 1980s recordings than it is to the dense and heavily percussive leanings of the albums that originally contained this material. Still, there are plenty of worthwhile moments here that will appeal to fans of Miles's '70s period, from the all-out guitar-driven crash of "Jack Johnson" to the avant-funk of "Ife" and "Spanish Key." --Ezra Gale« less
Trumpeter Mark Isham's Miles Remembered: The Silent Way Project is another in a slew of Miles Davis tributes released in the late 1990s. It follows Miles tributes by Wadada Leo Smith and Henry Kaiser (Yo Miles!) and producer Bill Laswell (Panthalassa) in looking back specifically on the great trumpeter's electric period of the early 1970s. Purist fans of this part of Miles's career might be a little put off by Isham's live recording, as The Silent Way Project is more his own interpretations of several themes from the period than a collection of unerringly faithful versions. The title track, for example, is almost unrecognizable as Isham and his band veer off into ambient territory after the initial opening theme. Also, the overall vibe the band generates is in truth closer to the slicker sound of Miles's 1980s recordings than it is to the dense and heavily percussive leanings of the albums that originally contained this material. Still, there are plenty of worthwhile moments here that will appeal to fans of Miles's '70s period, from the all-out guitar-driven crash of "Jack Johnson" to the avant-funk of "Ife" and "Spanish Key." --Ezra Gale
"I don't want to compare this to the Miles Davis' recording. I really like both of them. It's great to see Miles Davis music played in different incarnations this time with a very competent band with Mark Isham at the helm. I especially enjoyed listening to the 2 guitarists. This is one CD I will listen to many times."
The Back Stage Tapes
Mr. Richard D. Coreno | Berea, Ohio USA | 02/04/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The back story for the album is unique; trumpeter Mark Isham wanted archival material from his Miles Davis tribute concerts and had no plans to release the music. And the taping was an afterthought, so it wasn't as if tour dates were "planned" for a future album. But credit Isham's manager for approaching Columbia Records, which yielded a deal to release a portion of the 30-plus hours of recorded performances.
The band - especially guitarists Pete Maunu and Steve Cardenas and bassist Doug Lunn - sizzle on the numbers from the "electric" phase of the late-1960s to mid-1970s, with the 15:26 Spanish Key the standout, with Right Off (Theme from Jack Johnson), Ife and Black Satin not far behind.
The music has a wonderful relevance because it was created for all the right reasons; one artist honoring an iconic superstar who had a major impact on his professional career.
"
Electric Miles Eden
Mr. Richard D. Coreno | 01/04/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Miles turned the jazz world on its head, by going electric. Isham goes back to the 1970's and returns with the goods. My only complaint would be that I want more. Isham composes two original pieces worthy of inclusion among the Davis and Davis/Zawinul originals. Fine playing by everyone. 1999 was a weak year for jazz, but this makes up for the dry spell."
Great tribute !!!!
G. Bates | Rockford, IL USA | 08/26/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Lots of horn players honor Miles. This project is completed by an accomplished film soundman. Next to the real thing, this is as good as you get. Every track is fantastic."
Good, but not great
S. Hawkins | New York, NY | 03/09/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I haven't yet heard a really good electric Miles tribute. Isham's CD, while a good album, tends to have too slick a sound to bring about truly satisfying music. It does have something of the Miles sound, but it's more of the 1980s Miles, which frankly, I'm not particularly interested in hearing a tribute to.However, the album certainly has its merits. "Right Off" is a great performance driven by the two guitarists, and is probably the best track. Ife and Spanish Key are also well done.Also, the redeeming feature of this album is that it doesn't slavishly adhere to the way Miles did a piece. The opening track "In a Silent Way - Milestones," begins with the theme from In a Silent Way, but the band merely uses this as a starting point, and then move into something of a trance-like jam. It may not be the best thing to do with the tune, but if nothing else, it's interesting to hear.This CD is worth buying (or at least hearing), but perhaps try finding it used (that's what I did, at any rate)"