Miles Davis - Sketches Of Spain (1960) {2006 DSD Japan Mini LP Edition, Analog Collection, SICP 1207}

A beautiful collaboration between Miles Davis and the great Gil Evans – and perhaps the most perfectly realized of all their projects! The album's got a wonderfully unified feel – as it begins with long compositions that have a distinct Spanish-tinge (and not a Latin-tinge, which is an important distinction to the way the album progresses.) Evans' arrangements have a majesty that takes the songs to the next level – working them as lush, lively backings for Davis' equally majestic trumpet solos, some of the finest he ever recorded with large group backing. Wonderful all the way through – and with the tracks "Concierto De Aranjuez", "Saeta", "The Pan Piper", and "Solea".

Personnel

a) November 20, 1959:
Miles Davis (tp, flh); Ernie Royal (tp); Bernie Glow (tp); Taft Jordan (tp); Louis Mucci (tp); Dick Hixon (tb); Frank Rehak (tb); Jimmy Buffington (frh); John Barrows (frh); Earl Chapin (frh); Jimmy McAllister (tuba); Al Block (fl); Eddie Caine (fl); Romeo Penque (oboe); Harold Feldman (oboe, cl); Jack Knitzer (bssn); Janet Putnam (harp); Paul Chambers (b); Jimmy Cobb (d); Elvin Jones (perc); José Manguel (perc); Gil Evans (arr, cond)

b) March 10, 1960:
Miles Davis (tp); Ernie Royal (tp); Bernie Glow (tp); Johnny Coles (tp); Louis Mucci (tp); Dick Hixon (tb); Frank Rehak (tb); Jimmy Buffington (frh); Joe Singer (frh); Tony Miranda (frh); Bill Barber (tuba); Al Block (fl); Harold Feldman (fl); Danny Bank (bcl); Romeo Penque (oboe); Jack Knitzer (bssn); Janet Putnam (harp); Paul Chambers (b); Jimmy Cobb (d); Elvin Jones (perc); José Manguel (perc); Gil Evans (arr, cond)

Recorded: Columbia 30th Street Studio, New York City, USA, November 20, 1959 & March 10, 1960

Tracklist:
01 Concierto De Aranjuez (adagio) (J. Rodrigo) [edited master]; Nov 20, 1959
02 Will O' The Wisp (M. de Falla) [master (take 2)]; Mar 10, 1960
03 The Pan Piper (G. Evans) [master (take 2)]; Mar 10, 1960
04 Saeta (G. Evans) [edited] [take 2]; Mar 10, 1960
05 Solea (G. Evans) [master (take 2)]; Mar 10, 1960