Miles Davis: Collectors' Items (20bit) on CD

These two blowing dates, done three years apart in the Fifties, have Davis and Sonny Rollins as the linking figures. The historic first session, from 1953, is the second and last time Charlie Parker (using the nom de groove "Charlie Chan") recorded on tenor saxophone. Additionally, this is the only time Parker and one of his most important disciples, Rollins, recorded together. On the extremely moving, seven-minute "'Round Midnight," Rollins has the opening and closing bridges, credited in the original notes to Parker. The 1956 date is as mellow and relaxed as the 1953 session was tense and neurotic. The only regular sideman present from the Davis quintet of that time is bassist Paul Chambers. Rollins's growth as an individual is readily apparent, and Miles displays his prowess with a Harmon mute on Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way." This session also served to introduce to many listeners the sensitive, subtle, swinging stylings of Tommy Flanagan, freshly arrived from Detroit.
With Sonny Rollins, Charlie Parker, Walter Bishop, Tommy Flanagan, Percy Heath, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones, Arthur Taylor.