Greatest Hits (1969)

Also available in a 3-pack with DAVE BRUBECK'S GREATEST HITS and THELONIOUS MONK'S GREATEST HITS. Personnel: Miles Davis (trumpet); Julian "Cannonball" Adderly (alto saxophone); George Coleman, John Coltrane, Hank Mobley, Wayne Shorter (tenor saxophone); Herbie Hancock, Wynton Kelly, Red Garland, Bill Evans (piano); Ron Carter, Paul Chambers (bass); Tony Williams, Philly Joe Jones, Jimmy Cobb (drums). Producers: Irving Townsend, George Avakian, Teo Macero. Reissue producer: Nedra Olds-Neal. Recorded between September 10, 1956 and January 20, 1965. Originally released on Columbia (9808). Includes liner notes by George Frazier. Digitally remastered by Mark Wilder and Rob Schwarz (Sony Music Studios, New York, New York). Like most jazz artists, Miles Davis isn't particularly well-served by a greatest-hits collection, since their brevity and haphazard sampling tends to obscure the scope and depth of his artistry. Nevertheless, Greatest Hits works better than expected, featuring such classics as "All Blues," "Someday My Prince Will Come," "Walkin'," "E.S.P.," "'Round Midnight," and "So What." These tracks might not fully capture the essence of Miles' Columbia records -- and it doesn't necessarily function as a good introductory sampler, since it's presented out of chronological order and his music works better in the context of its original session -- but the music itself is wonderful. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine