BLP 5071

Miles Davis - Enigma

Released - 28 November 2014

Recording and Session Information

WOR Studios, NYC, May 9, 1952
Miles Davis, trumpet; J.J. Johnson, trombone; Jackie McLean, alto sax; "Gil" Coggins, piano; Oscar Pettiford, bass; Kenny Clarke, drums.

Chance It (alternate take 3)
Chance It (alternate take 4)

WOR Studios, NYC, April 20, 1953
Miles Davis, trumpet; J.J. Johnson, trombone; Jimmy Heath, tenor sax; "Gil" Coggins, piano; Percy Heath, bass; Art Blakey, drums.

Enigma (alternate take 1)
Kelo (alternate take 1)

Track Listing

Side One
Title	Author	Recording Date
Enigma (Alternate Take 1)	Jay Jay Johnson	April 20 1953
Kelo (Alternate Take 1)	Jay Jay Johnson	April 20 1953
Side Two
Chance It (Alternate Take 3)	Oscar Pettiford	May 9 1952
Chance It (Alternate Take 3)	Oscar Pettiford	May 9 1952

Liner Notes

Miles Davis, trumpet; J.J. Johnson, trombone; Jimmy Heath, tenor saxophone; Jackie McLean, alto saxophone; Percy Heath, bass; Oscar Pettiford, bass; "Gil" Coggins, piano; Art Blakey, drums; Kenny Clarke, drums.

Notes By IRA GITLER (August 2014)

In May 1952 and April '53, Miles Davis cut these sides for Blue Note, sandwiching a date for Prestige, where I produced him. The Blue Note recordings that first came out as singles and 10-inch LPs were later collected on 12-inch LPs and eventually on CD with alternate takes. Somehow, a few alternate takes went missing, but now we have them and they are a joy to hear.

Listening to these tracks after six decades recalled the atmosphere of the era so vividly for me, I was knocked out. Miles' career was all over the map, but here he's at his hard bop best, leading a collection of all-stars. They could play a mile a minute, then slow it down to great effect.

The beautiful "Enigma," especially, gave me a deep feeling of nostalgia. Every time I've listened to it, I hear more and something different: Percy Heath's big bass sound, Art Blakey's understated drumming, Miles' commanding tone, Jimmy Heath's wonderful second melody behind Miles and the fine Bud Powell-like run from Gil Coggins, the least-known of these musicians, but a fine pianist. This rhapsodic J.J. Johnson composition cries out for lyrics.

"Kelo" is a tour de force for Blakey's explosive drumming, the engine driving this machine as he engages in conversation with the rest of the band. Miles immaculately throws out some serious notes here.

The two takes of bassist Oscar Pettiford's "Chance It" show how well top flight musicians play at top speed. J.J. is particularly marvelous on trombone. Jackie McLean's staccato alto pierces the melody. Kenny Clarke, usually so tight on the drum kit, clatters along like Blakey. And Miles gets playful on both takes, his little quote from "Go In And Out The Window" serving as a pivot during his solos.

After all these years, this music still sounds amazingly fresh, proving these guys were masters. They were technicians with soul.

Cover Photo by FRANCIS WOLFF
Design by VARTAN / BITTON
Mastering by KEVIN REEVES

Note: Previously released versions of these tunes, noting take numbers similar to those above, are listed incorrectly; these are the correct take numbers.