Electrifying Miles

Electrifying Miles

ASIN: B00000IX7O

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Maybe it's a measure of how far Miles Davis's acoustic music has soaked into the jazz mainstream that tributes to him in the late 1990s tend to favor the trumpeter's electric period. It's odd in any case to hear music that extends from Davis's late-1960s and '70s era to his last-recorded works taken up by the Umo Jazz Orchestra. A Finnish aggregate of likeminded players, Umo give "High Speed Chase" (from the hip-hop-tinged Doo Bop) an intense, speedy take thanks largely to trumpeting guest Tim Hagans. They likewise grab pieces from Davis's transitional mid-1960s period, when he was taking his young, agile acoustic quintet toward the funky vamps that marked the electric period. "Prince of Darkness" (from Sorcerer) is, though, big in every way, sprawling in its volume and its chunking sound that while heavy still bounds fleetly on the tons of horns Umo throw out. Guesting with Hagans throughout the session are guitarist Raoul Björkenheim and members of his electric postfree fusion band Krakatau. Björkenheim is a bracing player and races with Hagans all over this amazing session. For very unlikely big Miles, check this out. --Andrew Bartlett

Tracks:

High Speed Chase
Prince Of Darkness
Spanish Key
What It Is
Sanctuary
Fast Track-Come Get It: Part I: Re-Charge Batteries Fast!/Part II: Fasten Your Seatbelts...
Nefertiti
Calypso Frelimo

Amazon.com

Maybe it's a measure of how far Miles Davis's acoustic music has soaked into the jazz mainstream that tributes to him in the late 1990s tend to favor the trumpeter's electric period. It's odd in any case to hear music that extends from Davis's late-1960s and '70s era to his last-recorded works taken up by the Umo Jazz Orchestra. A Finnish aggregate of likeminded players, Umo give "High Speed Chase" (from the hip-hop-tinged Doo Bop) an intense, speedy take thanks largely to trumpeting guest Tim Hagans. They likewise grab pieces from Davis's transitional mid-1960s period, when he was taking his young, agile acoustic quintet toward the funky vamps that marked the electric period. "Prince of Darkness" (from Sorcerer) is, though, big in every way, sprawling in its volume and its chunking sound that while heavy still bounds fleetly on the tons of horns Umo throw out. Guesting with Hagans throughout the session are guitarist Raoul Björkenheim and members of his electric postfree fusion band Krakatau. Björkenheim is a bracing player and races with Hagans all over this amazing session. For very unlikely big Miles, check this out. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic.......2001-07-10

This is a fantastic album, with interesting arrangements of often obscure or underappreciated works by Miles Davis, excellent soloing, and true excitement exploding from your speakers. The opening cut, "High Speed Chase", is one of the most exciting jazz recordings I have ever heard. Bravo, Umo!

Big Band Electronic Miles is phat!.......2000-07-20

This album has some of Miles latter works arranged for big band and showcases trumpeter Tim Hagans. All in all it is a good combination. Some writing (The Prince Of Darkness) is quite ambitious, but all are fresh and energetic versions of great Miles hits. Hagans, the star soloist, is at his best and will make your scream in excitement. The only thing which would have really made it a 5 star album is if they would have had a better drummer, but that is really a minor issue.

Jazz Music:

Jazz Music

Jazz Music