Miles from India

[BlueMiles]

Anyone have this? I don't yet, but I've been curious based on online music samples and the listening post at Borders. It also received major write-ups in Jazz Times and Downbeat.

The 2-CD set sells at a rather low price.

I thought it would be under discussion at Jazz Corner by now.

[lazarus]

I have it on order. I let you know what I think when it has arrived.
Looks very interesting!

[Rob C]

Originally Posted by BlueMiles

I thought it would be under discussion at Jazz Corner by now.

No, it's jazz, why would it be under discussion?

[lazarus]

I have listen to both discs once and my first impressions are very positive. Very cool fusion of indian music and Miles, mostly from his electric period but also acouple of earlier compositions.
Terrific musicians like for example Dave Liebman, Michael Henderson, Gary Bartz, Pete Cosey, Lenny White, John McLaughlin and many more.
Produced by Bob Belden (who together with Louiz Banks have done most of the arrangements).

[Darryl G. Thomas]

I listened to it a few time a couple of weeks ago when I got it. It's very enjoyable. About the only cut I had a problem with was "All Blues". The Indian element (sitar superimposed over a straight acoustic group) didn't quite work. The pieces from Miles electric work worked better. But I guess that's to be expected..

[BlueMiles]

I have been listening to it a little bit. It's a lot of music to take in, and certainly it is a mixtue of styles--and there are a ton of musicians. I was put off by the first track: "Spanish Key" runs 20 minutes, which is longer than the original (and the Miles version is much more compelling). This version has a good start, but it just goes on and on and begins to drag. Otherwise, it seems like a good record. I have never explored much in the way of Indian music, other than the Beatles and some of McLaughlin's work (I do, by the way, like Mclaughlin's piece that closes the record). Unlike some others, I like these "Indian" renditions of famous tunes from "Kind of Blue." The toughest thing in terms of "blend" is the use of electric keyboards and rockish guitar from Pete Cosey with the sound of Indian instruments.

[Darryl G. Thomas]

BlueMiles,

I loved Cosey! It felt like he was dropping in from another planet.

[chickyraptor]

Not only is it nice to hear the fusion between the ex-Miles sidemen and the Indian musicians (though it might have worked even better had they met face-to-face), but it's cool to hear players ffrom different Miles eras working together.