Miles Davis cd or LPs: What are the good versions?

[Ronflugelguy]

Feedback on versions of MIles Davis Lps or CDs.How do they sound ? The recent rissues sound pretty good ,I've purchased a couple of the Japanese versions and they seem to sound a bit better. Any comments?Of course, Steve"s version of his Prestige stuff are great!

[PsychFan]

So far, I've tried one of Columbia/Sony (actually Scorpio)'s 180gm Miles reissue LPs: My Funny Valentine. I have no other version to compare it to, but on its own merits it sounds very very good, on nice, quiet, heavy vinyl.

Actually, in my area it's cheaper to buy the recent 20-bit (?) Sony CD remasters of most of Miles' Columbia albums, and I've loaded up on those rather than the LPs. I think the sound overall is very fine, some of the best in the recent avalanche of remasters ... and for $7.99 or so, they're a great, cheap way to get acquainted with the catalog.

I have one Japanese mini-LP-sleeve CD, of In a Silent Way. That's very good too; haven't had a chance to compare it to Sony's recent Silent Way box set.

For the Prestige-era stuff, Steve's gold CDs are dynamite. I also have German OJC LPs of the Steamin'/Workin'/Relaxin'/Cookin' stuff, and they compare very well. And again, they're nice & cheap.

Classic Records did a wonderful 2-LP version of Kind of Blue that I treasure (a 1-LP version is now in print from them), in some ways even more than my mono original. But I play my Sony CD of that album a lot as well.

Just my 2 cents here ...

[Ronflugelguy]

Jeff that is true for the Columbia versions they are well represented on CD. KOB on classic is great , but recent Cd is excellent especially when you can pick it up for $8-10 new. I also have the AP box set of those Prestige titles and they are excellent,however, I have not tried any of the Mosaic Miles p pakages. I also have Nefertitti, and Someday My Prince Will come On Mini Lp Japanese versions which I still think are a bit better than their Box set conterparts.

[PsychFan]

Originally posted by Ronflugelguy
... I have not tried any of the Mosaic Miles p pakages. ...

Neither have I. I did get the Sony 6-CD version of the Miles Davis & John Coltrane collection, and I liked it well enough not to feel the need to trade it in and go buy the LP box ...

[Ronflugelguy]

Miles Davis and Gil Evans box set, Davis and Coltrane, Davis Quintete 1965-68, In a Silent Way Sessions, I own,and have not had any desire tohear any other versions because they are very good. I haven't heard "Bitches Brew" session yet. have you?

[PsychFan]

Nope, haven't checked out the Brew box. I have the Sony double-CD of the Brew album, and I just haven't been able to get myself into it yet. I've played it just once, and I couldn't find a way in at all ... I have to lock myself in my listening room some night soon and give it another shot ... It's dense music for sure, not exactly Miles at his most accessible (I don't think).

[Ronflugelguy]

I think that's why I've been putting off purchasing that one. Its out there!

[Dave]

I'm probably not as big of a jazz fan as alot of you on this forum but I just recieved The Musings of Miles Davis and holy flashback to the days of listening to my Fathers vinyl. I've never heard the realism of a trumpet captured on cd before in the way that Steve did. A definate must have for any fan of Jazz!

[TommyTunes]

The Columbia years.
I've purchased most of the Scorpio/Columbia 180gram reissues; to put it lightly they are a hit and miss kind of thing. Some are sourced from analogue tapes other from digital. In general I would go with the 20 bit CD remasters instead especially when you find them on sale for about $8.99. The Sony/Columbia box sets Miles and Coltrane, The Gil Evans sessions, Bitches Brew etc. offer the same sound quality BUT are not necessarily in the running order of the original albums. If you can spring for them the recent Japanese release of his Columbia catalogue are worth every penny. They all have been DSD mastered and overall the sound quality on my system gives nothing up to SACD. Most have bonus tracks. They are a significant upgrade to the US 20 bit versions. I have many original 360 pressings and the Japanese series beats any versions of those albums that I own.
As far a KOB goes for vinyl I'd op for Classics reissue on four (4) 45rpm discs (absolutely breath-taking) or the SACD.

As far as the classic prestige titles go, with all respect to Steve, the Analogue Productions (acoustic sounds) five (5) LP box is simply to die for. Even though they are mono, I consistently use them as reference discs for my system.

My only statement in closing, is WHEN with Sony issue Ellington's Indigos in some sort of audiophile format!

[Ronflugelguy]

As far as the five Prestige titiles in the box set of AP, i think this is the last analouge sourced version we will see,as from my understanding the master tapes almost fell apart during the mastering session . Care to comment on this ,Steve?