Miles Davis - Sketches of Spain (One Step) / 45RPM 2LP AudioNautes

Rarely has Miles Davis painted so expressively and freely with colors. “Sketches Of Spain” is the third of four albums (“Miles Ahead”, “Porgy And Bess” and “Quiet Nights”) on which Davis collaborated with composer and

arranger Gil Evans and an orchestra. In Evans, he found a like-minded partner who helped him bring out tones, shades, layers and textures. What they achieved together is still considered groundbreaking in the 21st century!

“Sketches Of Spain” is also considered one of Miles Davis' most accessible albums. Because there was less improvisation on this album than on others, some of Miles' contemporaries did not classify it as jazz. According to Rolling

Stone, Davis responded, “It's music, and I like it”! Nevertheless, the album was awarded a Grammy for Best Jazz Composition in 1961. In 2003, “Sketches Of Spain” ranked 356th on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest

albums of all time. Jazzwise magazine included the album in its list of “The 100 Jazz Albums That Shook the World”.

Programmatically, “Sketches Of Spain” is based on Spanish folk music, a development that began with “Flamenco Sketches” on the legendary “Kind Of Blue”. Miles Davis and Gil Evans combined Spanish themes, lush orchestrations,

romantic timbres and Davis' lyrical methods into a delicate ceremony that still resonates more than six decades after its original release. Whether it's the dark piece “Concierto De Aranjuez”, made famous by Davis' flugelhorn playing,

or “Solea”, based on a folk legend, “Sketches Of Spain” captivates with its extraordinary ideas and innovations. Miles Davis, bassist Paul Chambers, drummer Jimmy Cobb, percussionist Elvin Jones and an 18-piece orchestra create a

breathtaking atmosphere: polyphonic motifs, short improvised solos, fanfare-like swings and contrapuntal changes characterize the flamenco-spiced pieces. Davis' famous Harmon-muted trumpet is complemented by a selection of bassoons

and French horns.

AudioNautes Recordings now presents the ultimate version of “Sketches Of Spain” – as an impressive One-Step pressing! The ANR reissue comes as a double LP on 200-gram vinyl and is cut at 45 RPM. Enjoy Davis’ masterpiece in previously

unheard sound quality and hurry, because this limited release will sell out quickly!

•    Miles Davis: arranger, trumpet, flugelhorn                               
•    Gil Evans: arranger, conductor
•    Johnny Coles: trumpet
•    Bernie Glow: trumpet
•    Taft Jordan: trumpet
•    Louis Mucci: trumpet
•    Ernie Royal: trumpet
•    John Barrows: French horn
•    James Buffington: French horn
•    Earl Chapin: French horn
•    Tony Miranda: French horn
•    Joe Singer: French horn
•    Dick Hixon: trombone
•    Frank Rehak: trombone
•    Bill Barber: tuba
•    Jimmy McAllister: tuba
•    Danny Bank: bass clarinet
•    Albert Block: flute
•    Eddie Caine: flute
•    Harold Feldman: clarinet, flute, oboe
•    Romeo Penque: oboe
•    Jack Knitzer: bassoon
•    Paul Chambers: bass
•    Jimmy Cobb: drums
•    Elvin Jones: percussion
•    José Mangual Sr.: percussion (on track 1)
•    Elden "Buster" Bailey: percussion (tracks 2–5)
•    Janet Putnam: harp

Recorded November 15 & 20, 1959 and March 10, 1960 at Columbia 30th Street, New York City, USA

Title

LP 1

Side A (single-sided)
1.    Concierto De Aranjuez

LP 2

Side C
2.    Will O’ The Wisp
3.    The Pan Piper
4.    Saeta

Side D
5.    Solea