Miles Davis – ‘Round About Midnight [Mono] (Speakers Corner Edition)

(AAA) — Lacquers cut from an analog tape copy by Maarten De Boer at Emil Berliner Studios.

(Note: Although advertised as “made from the original, analogue mastertapes,” this edition is almost certainly cut from a copy tape that was sent to Europe and used to cut the original European pressings and then stored afterward in Europe. By this point, Sony had stopped sending out original analog master tapes anywhere other than Sterling Sound (back when Sterling was still based in New York City).)

"A couple of the earlier albums are more consistently top-notch (Workin' and Relaxin'), but this one is just as hard-driving on the uptempos and as crisp and moody on the ballads, especially the title track (maybe the most galvanizing version of Monk's anthem), 'All of You,' and 'Bye, Bye Blackbird.' Columbia's sound was equal to that of Rudy Van Gelder's as well." – Fred Kaplan, Stereophile

At long last these early recordings, which Miles Davis set down for the Columbia label in 1955 and 1956, are available on LP again. And what is more, they were made without any alternate takes or second attempts, as is the custom these days. You can sit back and enjoy the six numbers in the order which the producer, probably in conjunction with Davis, decided upon. To be sure, all of the titles are well known and have been played a thousand times over in many different versions. But what this Quintet (and here each and every individual musician is meant!) produces as regards inventiveness, thrilling improvisations and artistry is absolutely top notch. Davis' vibrato-less sound is taken over seamlessly by John Coltrane – wonderfully demonstrated in the middle of "Bye, Bye Blackbird," while Paul Chambers' showpiece is "Ack Vameland du skona" (aka "Dear Old Stockholm"). In the years 1955-56, bebop was the talk of the day, born witness to by the classics Tadd's Delight by Tadd Dameron and Ah-Leu-Cha by Charlie Parker. Here, however, the improvised melodic strands are more moderate, pointing the way to the style that later became known as modal jazz. Although Round About Midnight as an album does not enjoy the reputation of Kind Of Blue, this Columbia recording contains many gems which are well worth hearing.

(Above description from AcousticSounds.com)