Circle in the Round [2 Disc Set]
Circleoffers a sweeping anthology of MIles Davis recordings from 1955 to 1970 that show the restless genius of jazz undergoing swift changes as thoroughgoing as the era where they took place. "Two Bass Hit" was recorded at his first Columbia session. "Love for Sale" features the "Kind of Blue" lineup of John Coltrane on tenor, Cannonball Adderley on alto, Bill Evans on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums. The title track shows Miles stretching into new conceptual worlds with Wayne Shorter on tenor, Herbie Hancock on celeste, Ron Carter on bass, Tony Williams on drums, and Joe Beck on guitar. The set closes with Miles's fusion band playing an atmospheric version of David Crosby's "Guinnevere."--John Swenson