Miles Davis - Bags Groove

For sale individually and as part of Analogue Productions’ Prestige Mono Series

Cut from the analogue masters by renowned mastering engineer Kevin Gray

180-gram pressing by Quality Record Pressings

Deluxe high-gloss tip-on album jacket

"Analogue Productions has continued to push its own already high bar higher still. Its Quality Record Pressings plant is delivering the best vinyl discs to be found, its jackets and cover reproduction quality have hit new levels, and it continues to have the best in the biz — such as Kevin Gray for this series (25 mono LPs from the Prestige label's exceptional late-50s run) cut lacquers from original analog master tapes. ... The set crackles with energy and the sound is rather cool, yet it's very clean and — like looking through a mountain stream — transparent. I also have AP's 2002 45 RPM set, and this new release makes that one sound a bit thick and veiled by comparison." — Wayne Garcia, The Absolute Sound, December 2015

There are a multitude of reasons why Bags’ Groove remains a cornerstone of the post-bop genre. Of course, says All Music Guide, there will always be the lure of the urban myth surrounding the Christmas Eve 1954 session — featuring Thelonious Monk — which is documented on the two takes of the title track. There are obviously more tangible elements, such as Davis’ practically telepathic runs with Sonny Rollins (tenor sax). Or Horace Silver’s (piano) uncanny ability to provide a stream of chord progressions that supply a second inconspicuous lead without ever overpowering.

 

 

 

 

Indeed, Davis’ choice of former Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra and concurrent Modern Jazz Quartet members Milt Jackson (vibes), Kenny Clarke (drums), and Percy Heath (bass) is obviously well-informed. This combo became synonymous with the ability to tastefully improvise and provide bluesy bop lines in varied settings. The up-tempo and Latin-infused syncopation featured during the opening of "Airegin" flows into lines and minor-chord phrasings that would reappear several years later throughout Davis’ Sketches of Spain epic. The fun and slightly maniacally toned "Oleo" features one of Heath’s most impressive displays on Bags’ Groove. His staccato accompaniment exhibits the effortless nature with which these jazz giants are able to incorporate round after round of solos onto the larger unit. Bags’ Groove belongs as a cornerstone of all jazz collections.

 

 

 

 

 

1. Bags' Groove (Take 1)

2. Bags' Groove (Take 2)

3. Airegen

4. Oreo

5. But Not For Me (Take 2)

6. Doxy

7. But Not For Me (Take 1)

Customer Reviews (5.00 Stars) 10 person(s) rated this product.

Heck yes, mono is growing on me like a fungus! posted on 05/25/2022 5 Stars Reviewer: Michael Renwick This album sounds great. I use to have a problem starting the day with 45 rpm than moving to a 33. Now I have a mono to stereo problem! I’m using a Hana ML with no mono switch and this release just sounds awesome. When I switch back to a stereo title I just miss the strong center presence mono provides. I’m heading up stairs to tell my wife I need to replace all my stereo records with a mono copy….wish me luck!

Absolutely fantastic, but…. posted on 01/16/2022 5 Stars I have to believe AP had all of these jackets printed in 2015 in advance of a repress, because I know you all wouldn’t misspell Oleo as Oreo twice, right? :)

the definitive version posted on 09/17/2020 5 Stars Great record, a must buy if you love Miles or Sonny and it ever gets repressed and comes back to stock. One note for the folks at Analogue Productions -on future pressings - please fix the typo on the track listing on the back of the jacket B2 - it's Oleo, not OREO, lol. Yes, it really says Oreo.

Great record and press posted on 08/19/2019 5 Stars Reviewer: Mike What to say AP delivers in spades! Great EQ, quiet press and Miles in your living room.

Truly Groovy! posted on 03/12/2015 5 Stars Reviewer: Emmanuel I have the AP 45 of this record and I thought it sounds great until I played this 33rpm on my table. Now I don't think I will ever reach for the 45 again. If you like that overly warm sound then the 45 is for you, but if you want to feel like you're in the studio with Miles and the gang, your senses firing on all cylinders then the 33 is for you. The sound on this reissue is "filthy rich"

Write a review and let people know what you think of this product OR just rate it.