Miles Davis – Bags’ Groove (1957/2014) [Qobuz FLAC 24bit/44,1kHz]

Miles Davis – Bags’ Groove (Rudy Van Gelder Remaster) (1957/2014) 
FLAC (tracks) 24-bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 46:14 minutes | 525 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Master, Official Digital Download – Source: Qobuz | Artwork: Digital Booklet | © Prestige Records
Recorded: June 29 & December 24, 1954 at Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, HJ
Remastered: 2007, Rudy Van Gelder at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ

Bag’s Groove was recorded in 1954 for Prestige Records but was not released until 1957. Most of the album was recorded on June 29, 1954, but the title track was recorded at one session on December 24 of the same year. Several of the tracks on the album were written by Sonny Rollins and would go on to become jazz standards in their own right.

There are a multitude of reasons why Bags’ Groove remains a cornerstone of the post-bop genre. Of course there will always be the lure of the urban myth surrounding the Christmas Eve 1954 session — featuring Thelonious Monk — which is documented on the two takes of the title track. There are obviously more tangible elements, such as Davis’ practically telepathic runs with Sonny Rollins (tenor sax). Or Horace Silver’s (piano) uncanny ability to provide a stream of chord progressions that supply a second inconspicuous lead without ever overpowering. Indeed, Davis’ choice of former Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra and concurrent Modern Jazz Quartet members Milt Jackson (vibes), Kenny Clarke (drums), and Percy Heath (bass) is obviously well-informed. This combo became synonymous with the ability to tastefully improvise and provide bluesy bop lines in varied settings. The up-tempo and Latin-infused syncopation featured during the opening of “Airegin” flows into lines and minor-chord phrasings that would reappear several years later throughout Davis’ Sketches of Spain epic. The fun and slightly maniacally toned “Oleo” features one of Heath’s most impressive displays on Bags’ Groove. His staccato accompaniment exhibits the effortless nature with which these jazz giants are able to incorporate round after round of solos onto the larger unit. Bags’ Groove belongs as a cornerstone of all jazz collections. Likewise, the neophyte as well as the seasoned jazz enthusiast will find much to discover and rediscover throughout the disc. [Some reissues include both historic takes of “Bags’ Groove” as well as one additional rendering of the pop standard “But Not for Me.”] ~~AllMusic Review by Lindsay Planer

Tracklist:
1 Bags’ Groove (Take 1) 11:10
2 Bags’ Groove (Take 2) 9:19
3 Airegin 4:59
4 Oleo 5:12
5 But Not For Me (Take 2) 4:37
6 Doxy 4:53
7 But Not For Me (Take 1) 5:40

Personnel:
Miles Davis – trumpet
Sonny Rollins – tenor saxophone
Horace Silver – piano
Percy Heath – bass
Kenny Clarke – drums
On “Bags’ Groove”:
Miles Davis – trumpet
Milt Jackson – vibraphone
Thelonious Monk – piano
Percy Heath – bass
Kenny Clarke – drums

“I was the engineer on the recording sessions and I also made the masters for the original LP issues of these albums. Since the advent of the CD, other people have been making the masters. Mastering is the final step in the process of creating the sound of the finished product. Now, thanks to the folks at the Concord Music Group who have given me the opportunity to remaster these albums, I can present my versions of the music on CD using modern technology. I remember the sessions well, I remember how the musicians wanted to sound, and I remember their reactions to the playbacks. Today, I feel strongly that I am their messenger.”
-Rudy Van Gelder

Download:

mqs.link_MilesDavisBagsGrove1957RVG2014Qbuz2444.1.rar