Garrett Live!

Miles Davis - Live Around The World (1988-91) {2002 Warner Remaster}
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© 2002 Warner Bros. | 81227 3612-2
Jazz / Contemporary Jazz / Fusion / Trumpet

From his early years mastering bebop and jazz standards, through his cool, modal, post-bop, electric and funk periods, there was always a strong sense of direction and a singular voice in the middle of the fray. That essence remained through Davis' final years; he still offered beautiful songs, wisely chosen and intelligently arranged. Miles traditionalists will appreciate the first track here, in which he breathes new life into "In A Silent Way." That quickly leads into "Intruder," a blowing vehicle for the venerable and impressive saxophonist Kenny Garrett. Garrett and bassist Richard Patterson proceed to go crazy on the frenetically funky "Wrinkle." Tunes like "New Blues" and "Tutu" reveal the sophistication of the master himself as a composer, as well as his finesse on trumpet. Another standout player here is the insanely expressive Foley, sounding like Jimi Hendrix, only funkier (and on bass).

2002 remastered reissue of 1996 live release featuring material recorded on two tours from 1985-91. Includes Kenny Garrett & Foley & Adam Holzman. The closing track, 'Hannibal', comes from the very last performance of Davis' life.

This album was unusual on several counts. For starters, it was a soundtrack (for Sam Peckinpah's movie of the same title), a first venture of its kind for Bob Dylan. For another, it was Dylan's first new LP in three years – he hadn't been heard from in any form other than the single "George Jackson," his appearance at the Bangladesh benefit concert in 1971, in all of that time…

This single CD gives one a definitive look at Miles Davis' live show from his last three years. Using funky but unpredictable rhythm sections and leaving space for plenty of solos, Davis created a unique brand of fusion that has yet to be satisfactorily duplicated. Among his more notable sidemen during this era are altoist Kenny Garrett, Foley on lead bass (which he used as a lower-toned guitar), one or two keyboardists chosen from Joey DeFrancesco, Adam Holzman, Robert Irving III, Kei Akagi, and John Beasley, various bassists, drummers, and percussionists, and on "Amandla," the tenor of Rick Margitza. Davis is in consistently strong form throughout the numbers, which include "In a Silent Way," "New Blues," "Human Nature," "Tutu," and "Time After Time." Quite often the live versions of these songs are more creative and exciting than the ones previously issued.

Chick Corea & John McLaughlin - Five Peace Band Live (2009) [2CD] {Concord}
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© 2009 Concord Music / Chick Corea / John McLaughlin | CRE-31397-02
Jazz / Jazz Rock / Post Bop / World Fusion

Chick Corea and John McLaughlin share one of the great pedigrees in the music of the 20th century: they were both key sidemen on Miles Davis' seminal albums In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew. They have played together since those heady days, as a duo or as sit-in guests. Five Peace Band was Corea's idea of putting together a dream band to play all kinds of jazz, and he approached McLaughlin. Corea chose the other members in saxophonist Kenny Garrett, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, and bassist Christian McBride.

The unique all-star group featured on this live set from 1994 had not only never performed together before as a band, but most of the musicians had never been on the same stage with each other before. Miles Davis had passed away three years earlier, so the two Marcus Miller pieces, "Tutu" (which sounds surprisingly similar to "So What" during the solos even if the chords are different) and "The King Is Gone" are in tribute to the late trumpeter. "The King Is Gone" is a straight-ahead extended blues, while "Looking Up" has heated solos over a simple vamp. Overall, Kenny Garrett and Michel Petrucciani generally take solo honors (Biréli Lagrène is a bit overshadowed), while Miller and Lenny White keep the rhythms stimulating. Although the three selections are each quite extended, they hold one's interest throughout.