Miles Smiles
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Miles Smiles | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
|||||
| Studio album by Miles Davis | |||||
| Released | 1967 | ||||
| Recorded | October 24 & October 25, 1966 | ||||
| Genre | Jazz | ||||
| Length | 41:44 | ||||
| Label | Columbia | ||||
| Producer | Teo Macero | ||||
| Professional reviews | |||||
| Miles Davis chronology | |||||
|
|||||
Miles Smiles is an album recorded in October 1966 by the Miles Davis quintet.
On three tracks from this album ("Orbits", "Dolores", "Gingerbread Boy"), pianist Herbie Hancock takes the unusual step of dispensing with left hand chords and playing only right hand lines.
Somewhat unusually for this group, the album includes two compositions not written by members of the group. Both are treated far more freely and loosely than the original versions. In addition, an earlier and more conservative recording of Wayne Shorter's "Footprints" appears on his album Adam's Apple.
The contribution from drummer Tony Williams on this album feels especially free, both rhythmically and improvisationally. On "Footprints", we hear his trademark polyrhythmic approach: the piece begins with Ron Carter's repeated bass line played in 6/4 time. Tony Williams initially plays within the 6/4 feel; however, during Miles's first solo, Tony shifts to a 4/4 jazz ride pattern while Ron Carter continues the 6/4 bass line.
Three of the album's compositions are known to have made it to Davis's live "book". "Dolores" is known from a single recording in the spring of 1967. "Gingerbread Boy" and "Footprints" were played much more frequently. "Gingerbread Boy" was played as late as the summer of 1969; "Footprints" appears on unofficial live recordings from the Fillmore West in April 1970.
Early live versions of "Gingerbread Boy" (from the spring and summer of 1966) retained the melody of Heath's original version. The melody on the studio version is somewhat different (presumably changed by Davis), and ensuing versions often retain this change.
[edit] Track listing
- "Orbits" (Wayne Shorter)
- "Circle" (Miles Davis)
- "Footprints" (Shorter)
- "Dolores" (Shorter)
- "Freedom Jazz Dance" (Eddie Harris)
- "Gingerbread Boy" (Jimmy Heath)
[edit] Personnel
- Miles Davis – trumpet
- Wayne Shorter – tenor saxophone
- Herbie Hancock – piano
- Ron Carter – double bass
- Tony Williams – drums
 |
This 1960s jazz album-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
