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Review: Miles from India

John Hilderbrand — Sat, 03 May 2008 21:00:03 +0000

Amazing! There have been a number of Miles Davis tribute recordings released over the years, covering various periods of his storied career; both with and without alumni of his numerous bands and configurations. I’m pretty sure that I own most of them but this one, organized and led by producer Bob Belden, covering songs from Miles’ controversial first forays into fusion via electricity, is just amazing.

If you can get your head around the opening track, “Spanish Key” from Bitches Brew with tabla, soaring flute and konnakol (Indian vocalization), then you’ll be in for a sub-continental treat. Belden and the musicians he’s assembled – American, Indian and alumni of Davis’ bands – take 12 songs, all but one of which are associated with Davis, and interpret them as if Miles donned a Nehru Jacket.

Traditional Western instrumentation meets Indian ideals; complementing sitar, electric mandolin, flute, tabla, konnakol and a whole host of Indian drums and percussion are; Dave Liebman and Gary Bartz on sax, Mike Stern, John McLaughlin and Pete Cosey on guitar, Marcus Miller, Ron Carter, Michael Henderson and Benny Rietveld on bass, Chick Corea, Adam Holzman and Robert Irving III on keys, Ndugu, Lenny White, Vince Wilburn and Badal Roy on drums – all alumni, complemented by the great Wallace Roney on trumpet.

To hear “All Blues” open with sitar or “So What” open with konnakol is both amazing and liberating at the same time. If you’re a fan of Miles, especially his early electric and later periods, you’re going to be blown away by this recording. I haven’t been able to stop listening to this recording since I downloaded it.

Call me star-struck, but this just might be the best release I’ve heard thus far in 2008.

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Re-Bop: The Savoy Remixes and a Miles Davis Remix Project

John Hilderbrand — Wed, 17 May 2006 16:24:15 +0000

Remix mania continues with two new compilations. Last week, Savoy Jazz’s Nu Groove imprint released Re-Bop, The Savoy Remixes. Quantic, DJ Spooky, DJ Smash, King Britt, and the ubiquitous DJ Logic are some of the top-notch remixers. Among the artists from Savoy’s catalog that receive the new rub are Charlie Parker (who was remixed in the 2003’s overlooked Bird Up! project), the Modern Jazz Quartet, Cannonball Adderley, Herbie Mann, and Dizzy Gillespie. If I’m not mistaken, neither the MJQ or Mr. Mann have not had their music remixed before. Re-Bop is fun, well-done, and will earn many spins on your player.

Miles Davis will be remixed this fall. Evolution of the Groove will feature reworked versions of Davis’s tunes from the likes of Nas and Santana and is set to coincide with the 15th anniversary of his passing in 1991. A Google search couldn’t dig up any more information, not even what label this is on. You know I’ll be watching for information on this.

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Review: Jason Miles – Miles To Miles

John Hilderbrand — Mon, 03 Jan 2005 05:21:50 +0000

Jason Miles has put together an awesome contemporary jazz recording to help start 2005 in a kick-ass fashion. His Miles To Miles recording is “in the spirit of Miles Davis.” It’s not an album of covers of Miles’ tunes (except for “Flamenco Sketches”). The songs are influenced by Miles’ life or sound.

For example, he has tracks titled “King of the Bling” and “Ferrari” that are indicative of Miles’ interest in fashion, cool, and cars. Some of the music, especially the opening track, sounds like it picked up where Miles and Marcus Miller left off in the 80s. That’s not surprising since Jason contributed to those recordings.

Jason has attracted a massive list of modern jazz talent to help flesh out the CD. DJ Logic, Karl Denson, Michael Brecker (on soprano sax), Randy Brecker, David Sanchez, Bernie Worrell, Nicholas Payton, Tom Harrell, Gerald Albright, Marc Antoine, Keiko Matsui, and the late Bob Berg all make significant contributions, even co-writing some of the music.

The music is fresh and full of flavor. It’s got some serious funk and melody plus, true to Miles’ spirit, some experimental efforts. I’ve listened to a good number of Jason’s CDs and compilations, dating back to his solo World Tour. Miles To Miles is the best recording I’ve heard from him and is worth spending time to check it out.

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