Search - Miles Davis Quintet :: Relaxin' with the Miles Davis Quintet

Relaxin'

Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 10/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the second of the 4 albums issued by Prestige at the end of Davis's association with the label. Four of the six titles come from the 10/26/56 date and two from 5/11/56, same personnel: Miles (tp) Coltrane (ts) Red Garland (p) Paul Chambers (b) Philly Joe Jones (d).



Sonny Rollins's OLEO, based on the I GOT RHYTHM changes, is a great tune; this version is not quite as good as the original one done back in 1954 when Rollins was with Davis, but it's taken faster and really burns. YOU'RE MY EVERYTHING is a slow ballad that goes to double time for Coltrane's solo - a beautiful performance.



All four of these Prestige releases are consistently fine (all the titles were recorded in one take only). The epitome of hard bop in the mid-50's. Great stuff."

The Quintessential Quintet!

JoeyD | los gatos, ca | 04/02/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love all four of these 1957 Prestige Classics - Workin', Steamin', Cookin' and my personal favorite Relaxin'. On top of being one very talented trumpet player with such a singular, smooth sound, Miles always knew how to pick a great band, the perfect, confluent machine. He had an ear like Sinatra, and like Frank, Miles benefited greatly by having such great groups backing him up. Then again, who wouldn't want to play behind those cats?! These are four of my favorites, a quartet of hall-of-famers anyone would be gaga playing with - Red Garland, John Coltrane, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones.



Miles is at his muted best, he is stellar throughout and his performance on "If I Were A Bell" is a work of art. Coltrane, the young, blossoming big gun to-be was a bit more temperate back then, but very clean all the same and I really enjoyed him on this one. Out of the four recordings that came from these sessions, this was his best effort in my opinion. The lyrical Red Garland performs perfectly throughout, as he and Philly Joe play together magnificently. I always thought Philly Joe saved his best for Miles. Those of you who have read some of my past jazz reviews are probably weary by now of all of the accolades I have bestowed upon Paul Chambers. However, no amount of embellishment can do that man justice. He is just that great.



This is one of the gems of jazz music and a definite must-own for anyone who considers themselves a fan of Miles. As he was quoted saying in his autobiography "Miles", `That was some great music we made at both sessions and I'm really proud of it today." You should have been proud Mr. Davis, very proud.

"

Relaxin': safe haven

J. Holmes | yokohama, japan | 09/25/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Relaxin' is a great record. the performances are smooth as silk and the playing is superb. it's not quite as good as Workin'; which is my personal favorite of all these 1956 Miles Davis Quintet albums; but...you can't go wrong with this timeless and enjoyable slice of jazz history."