Review: Craft Recordings' Miles '54: The Prestige Recordings is an excellent retrospective that has Miles Davis at a transformative period in his career. Spanning 20 tracks, this collection highlights the pivotal year of 1954, where Davis honed his signature sound and emerged as a leading figure in jazz. The album features contributions from luminaries like Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, and Art Blakey, who together elevate the sessions to iconic status. The set includes insightful session notes by Dan Morgenstern and a thoughtful essay by Ashley Kahn, providing historical context and depth. The collection is a journey through Davis' evolving artistry, from the melodic 'Four' to the innovative 'Bags' Groove.' Tracks like 'Walkin'' and 'Oleo' reveal a confident, boundary-pushing musician on the brink of greatness, while his use of the cup mute foreshadows the cool, introspective sound that would define much of his later work. Miles '54 is not just a celebration of a milestone year in Davis' career but also a tribute to the enduring legacy of Prestige Records.
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.