Friday, June 7, 2013

Milestones

     How many of you are Milestones fans? I am, and I know Marcus Miller is. I was reading the on-line jazz magazine All About Jazz, and I caught an article from William Ellis in All About Jazz One LP section, and in the article titled "Marcus Miller: Miles Davis, Milestones", Marcus Miller holds Milestones in high regard. Marcus Miller loves Milestones "combination of soulfulness and intelligence", and I love Milestones swing and groove.

     Two recordings from the 1958 LP were directly vital for me learning the jazz language, but all the recordings on the LP are gems. I remember those jam sessions at the RAPA House in Detroit, and how all of us with our horns would step to the stage and play "Milestones", and "Straight, No Chaser". These two pieces, and many other jazz standards provided us a foundation to learn, understand, and play jazz. "Milestones", and "Straight, No Chaser" are both out-growth of jazz that preceded these pieces, and these two pieces, or in other words that album Milestones would influence jazz recordings to follow.

     Milestones is an important album. Recorded in 1958, Miles Davis gave us a glimpse into the future. Milestones, the title track is where Miles first introduces us to modal jazz. One year later, in 1959, Miles records Kind Of Blue, and the floodgate opens for modal jazz, but Miles Davis was telling us in 1958 with Milestones.

     Joining Miles Davis on Milestones was Cannonball Adderley (alto saxophone), John Coltrane (tenor saxophone), Philly Joe Jones (drums), Paul Chambers (bass), and Red Garland (piano). If you get a chance today, check-out Milestones (the whole album), and enjoy.

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