The Complete Miles Davis at Montreux: 1973-1991
Produced with loving care by Claude Nobs, founder of the Montreux Jazz Festival, with no edits or overdubs, this document of Miles Davis's Montreux performances shows through never-before-released material how Miles and company transformed his music live, with their fire, invention, and interplay. The list of sidemen on these dates is a who's who of today's superstars, including saxophonistDave Liebman, guitaristsJohn ScofieldandRobben Ford, keyboardists Adam Holzman and Kei Akagi, bassist Michael  Henderson, and percussionist Mtume. Most of the music on  these discs features versions of Davis's fusion "hits."  The funky and R&B-ish; ditty "Ife" and the bouncy "Calypso Frelimo" are rendered  with more gusto than their studio versions, as are the in-the-pocket,  mid-'80s tunes "Star People" and "New Blues." A package this big has more  than a few surprises, however.Chaka Khanlends her powerful pipes to Davis's unique cover of the Michael Jackson sleeper, "Human Nature," and "Al Jarreau" is an upbeat (though too short) tribute to thegreat vocalise master.Other new offerings include "Lake Geneva," "Pacific Express," and the intense  "Maze." This important set has two memorable milestones. There's the  previously released 1991Quincy Jones-led concert with the 50-piece, George Gruntz/Gil Evans Orchestra, where Davis recreates his historicGil Evans-orchestrated charts of "The Birth of the Cool," "Porgy and Bess,"  "Miles Ahead," and "Sketches of Spain." Davis's discipleWallace Roneybacks up Davis on the complex melodic lines, and alto saxophonistKenny  Garrettsoars with his clean,Sonny Stitt-like solos. Garrett is also  onstage with Davis on a sextet date at Nice, France, on July 17, 1991,  released here for the first time, that features material from the poppishScritti  Polittitune "Perfect Way" to theCyndi Lauperballad "Time After Time."  Whether Davis's trumpet is open, muted, or electrified, his playing, as this  collection shows, is honest and enduring, regardless of the material.--Eugene Holley Jr.