Miles Davis: Miles Ahead (180 g) (LP)

George Avakian wanted to introduce Miles Davis to a wider audience by having him lead a much larger group of musicians. He got the idea of Third Stream, a "third" stream that combined the rhythmic power of jazz and the sophistication of classical music. This opportunity gave Miles a chance to reconnect with Gil Evans. At the center of the big band assembled by the arranger was the horn section, which was supplemented by two French horns, a tuba, and various woodwind instruments (alto saxophone, clarinets, flutes, and an oboe). Miles opted for the mellow sound of the flugelhorn, as if that choice would allow him to find his own place amid the shimmering orchestral effects. It was no surprise that the piano was missing: here the orchestra had taken its place, drawing inspiration specifically from the style of pianist Ahmad Jamal, whose version of "New Rhumba" they borrowed. The importance of Spain was also evident in "The Maids Of Cadiz" and especially in the great "Blues For Pablo", inspired by Manuel de Falla's "Le Tricorne". After the recording, the pieces were linked by clever orchestral transitions to form a long symphonic suite.