Craft Recordings is throwing down Miles ’55: The Prestige Recordings — a 16-track blast from the past, straight outta Rudy Van Gelder’s legendary Hackensack, NJ studio. This isn’t your average dusty reissue; it’s a remastered resurrection of some seriously historic ’55 sessions for Prestige Records. You get cuts from Miles: The New Miles Davis Quintet, Miles Davis and Milt Jackson Quintet/Sextet, The Musings of Miles, and more.
This was the year Davis locked in his signature sound, backed by his “First Great Quintet” — a crew of soon-to-be legends like John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones, plus heavy hitters like Milt Jackson and Oscar Pettiford.
But here’s the tech scoop: all 16 tracks were remastered from the original analog tapes by none other than GRAMMY-winning engineer Paul Blakemore. The vinyl versions? Lacquers cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio on pristine 180-gram wax. These are the kind of technical chops that let you hear every note as if you’re standing right there in Rudy’s studio, cigarette smoke and all.
Dropping August 22, Miles ’55 hits in 2-CD and 3-LP sets, plus standard and hi-res digital formats — because whether you’re a vinyl snob or a hi-res fiend, Craft’s got you covered. And just to add some extra juice, the package includes fresh liner notes by GRAMMY-winning writer Ashley Kahn and session insights from jazz legend Dan Morgenstern. This isn’t just a reissue; it’s a deep dive into a turning point where Miles wasn’t just playing trumpet — he was building a legacy.
Craft Recordings’ Miles ’55: The Prestige Recordings picks up where Miles ’54 left off, spotlighting sessions from the year Miles Davis found his footing as a bandleader. As Ashley Kahn notes, the ’50s jazz sound belonged to one trumpet player: Miles.
By ’55, Davis was sharpening his signature tone and building the “First Great Quintet” with John Coltrane (who replaced Sonny Rollins), Red Garland, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones.
The collection covers key sessions: June’s Musings of Miles with Philly Joe, Garland, and Oscar Pettiford; August’s vibraphone-heavy date with Milt Jackson and Jackie McLean; and November’s debut of the solidified quintet delivering a mix of standards and originals.
Though critics were slow to catch on, these sessions mark the start of what would become a defining period for Miles and his band. Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder’s Hackensack studio, Miles ’55 captures the sound of a band coming into its own—straight out of Jersey.
Price & Availability
Miles ’55: The Prestige Recordings arrives August 22nd, remastered and available on 3-LP ($110), 2-CD ($25), and digital downloads ($13). Includes new liner notes by GRAMMY winner Ashley Kahn.
Where to buy: Amazon | Craft Recordings
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