Miles Davis - Filles De Kilimanjaro

Miles Davis Filles de Kilimanjaro on numbered limited edition 180-gram 45 RPM 2LP from Mobile Fidelity

1/4" / 15 ips analog master to DSD 256 to analog console to lathe

Landmark 1968 effort recognized as Davis' Prelude into full-on fusion: exotic suite-like album — beautiful, intense, adventurous!

"If the iconic Miles Davis album Kind of Blue captured an event-an abrupt musical switch from melody to modal, these three mid-period quintet albums, Sorcerer (1967), Nefertiti (1968) and Filles De Kilimanjaro (1969) represent a period of transition as the quintet moves slowly towards Miles's amplified instrument embrace. ... These three double 45rpm releases along with much of the Miles catalog are among Mobile Fidelity's best work to date. For Miles fans these are not to be missed." — Music = 10/11; Sound = 9/11 - Michael Fremer, Analogplanet.com
To read Fremer's full review, click here

Miles Davis' move into full-on fusion starts here. Abandoning his bebop roots and chasing electric dreams, rock-based rhythms, and ostinato pulses, the icon gives life to new music forms on Filles de Kilimanjaro, a titanic release prized for its historical significance and lasting beauty. Grounded and focused, the five compositions unfold like a unified suite. Such peak lyricism, flourishes, and phrases are experienced in the highest-possible fidelity on Mobile Fidelity's 45 RPM double LP set.

Indeed, the exotic sound, touch, and feel of the songs on Filles de Kilimanjaro are as crucial as the melodies. To that extent, listeners can now enjoy the expressive tonalities and lush colors from each instrument in full-range glory. Voicings, harmonics, and pitches are rendered with exquisite detail. The manners in which the textures and phrases rotate what seems like a unified tonal center places you at the original recording sessions, executed in July and September 1968.

The final appearance of Davis' classic second quintet bears fruit on three of the record's cuts, including the title track and R&B-tinted "Frelon Brun." Sparked with restrained funk, driving grooves, and bluesy accents, Filles de Kilimanjaro maintains an instinctive flow and controlled fredom that permit Davis to oversee an innovative blending of alterations, improvisation, and cycles. Comprised of multiple sections, "Petits Machins" is a lesson in perfectly played melodic complexity, with chromatic riffs, dominant chords, syncopated progressions, and switching meters forming a singular mosaic.

Filles de Kilimanjaro also represents a jumping-off point for Davis' lineup. For the September sessions, Chick Corea replaced Herbie Hancock while Dave Holland relieved Ron Carter. The new additions speak a different albeit common language, fitting in with Davis' desire to draw from rock and weave funk into open-minded excursions filled with exoticism, soulfulness, and wonder.

Music

Sound

Ratings from Michael Fremer @ AnalogPlanet.com

Side 1

1. Frelon Brun (Brown Hornet)

2. Tout de Suite

Side 2

3. Petits Machins (Little Stuff)

Side 3

4. Filles de Kilimanjaro (Girls of Kilimanjaro)

Side 4

5. Mademoiselle Mary (Miss Mabry)

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