Details

Field of Interest

Jazz

Content Type

Music recording

Duration

37 mins

Ensemble

The Miles Davis Quintet

Format

Audio

Sub Genre

Hard-Bop

Label

Prestige

Page Count

6

Performer

Miles Davis, 1926-1991, John Coltrane, 1926-1967, Red Garland, 1923-1984, Paul Chambers, 1935-1969, Philly Joe Jones, 1923-1985

Date Recorded

1956-10-26

Release Date

1991

Review

Relaxin' features the Miles Davis Quintet in a pair of legendary recording dates -- from May and October of 1956 -- which would generate enough music to produce four separate long-players: Cookin', {Relaxin'}, Workin', and Steamin'. Each of these is considered not only to be among the pinnacle of Davis' work, but of the entire bop subgenre as well. As with the other titles, Relaxin' contains a variety of material which the band had concurrently been performing in their concert appearances. In a brilliant stroke of time conservation, the scheme was hatched for the quintet -- who includes: Davis (trumpet), John Coltrane (tenor sax), Philly Joe Jones (drums), and Red Garland (piano) -- to perform the equivalent of their live repertoire in the studio for eventual release. The results are consistently superior both in terms of song selection as well as performance. The solid nature of the unit as a singular musical force is immediately apparent. "If I Were a Bell" -- from the play {+Guys and Dolls} -- includes some remarkable soloing via Coltrane and Garland. Davis' solos are additionally impressive, as they're derived from the same four-note motive as the melody. Hearing the many variations that he comes up with throughout the song conveys how intrigued Davis must have been by the tune, as it stayed in his performance repertoire for decades. Tracks such as "You're My Everything" and "Oleo" highlight the synchronic nature of Davis and Coltrane as they carry each other's melodies while trading off solos. The steady syncopation of Philly Joe Jones keeps the rhythms tight and the delicate interplay all the more conspicuous. Relaxin' offers something for every degree of jazz enthusiast. Likewise, the quintet's recordings provide a tremendous introduction for the curious jazz consumer. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide

Subject

Jazz, Music & Performing Arts, Hard-Bop, Hard-Bop

Keywords and Translated Subjects

Hard-Bop