Davis, Miles - Round About Midnight (Numbered, 180 Gram, Mono, Mobile Fidelity)
Davis, Miles - Round About Midnight (Numbered, 180 Gram, Mono, Mobile Fidelity)
Format: Vinyl LP
UPC: 821797137317
Release Date: 09/06/13
Condition: N
Out of stock
Couldn't load pickup availability
Share
Hipness Personified: Miles Davis' Columbia Records Debut, 'Round About Midnight Blows Cool and Hot Jazz with Famed Quintet
Lifelike Presence and Immediacy: Sourced from the Original Master Tapes, Mobile Fidelity's 180g Vinyl LP Presents Music in Direct Mono Sound
Miles Davis' first album for Columbia, ‘Round About Midnight, represents both the beginning of a three-plus-decade relationship with the famed label as well as the start of an extended collaboration with then-unknown saxophonist John Coltrane. As one of the era's only complete start-to-finish full-length LPs, the 1957 set stands as a hard-bop benchmark – a summation of the styles that came before its creation, an immersion into the period's cutting-edge strains, and a hint of the modalism that would follow.
Sourced from the original master tapes, Mobile Fidelity's numbered-edition 180g vinyl LOP traces the individual paths each musician takes in contributing to the whole, whether it's pianist Red Garland's left hand spinning actinoid chords or Coltrane infusing a tune with harmony-defying fills that suggest arabesque patterns. Recorded at three separate sessions, the music has never sounded so cohesive, immediate, or involving.
Few jazz records claim the significance boasted by ‘Round About Midnight. The album's creation – and the assembly of Davis' quintet, which also includes Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones – stems from the headliner's rousing rendition of the title-inspired track, "'Round Midnight," a Thelonious Monk standard, at the 1955 Newport Jazz Festival. Stunning the audience with an interpretation that witnessed him personalize the composition with a brooding tone made possible via employment of his soon-to-be-trademark Harmon mute, Davis redefined perspective and possibility, taking ownership of the ballad as his own, and further improving upon its reach in the studio. It wasn't the composer's only surprise.'
Round About Midnight thrives due to diversity and consistency, a rare combination epitomized by the first-rate selection and astonishing performance of pensive ballads, bebop classics, pop standards, and folk pieces. Witness the counterpoint exchanges during "Ah-Leu-Cha" and its Dixieland shades. Soak up the progressive drama and swinging tempos on "All of You" and "Bye Bye Blackbird." Delight in the mélange of latticed textures and schematic moods throughout the sequence, here presented in gorgeous fidelity, zeroing in on Davis' warm, plush, rich, and close-up trumpet timbres and how, by playing his instrument right near the microphone, he infuses the arrangements with the sort of daring intimacy embraced by two lovers.
Tension, suggestiveness, calm, mystery, nostalgia: All here. Gather now, ‘Round About Midnight. Slip on a pair of shades, draw the curtains, slouch into a chair, and sip a cognac. This is Miles and Co. at their best. And hipness personified.
"This is by far the best digital rendition of this music, and has a wonderful analogue sound found in the best of the Mobile Fidelity reissues. Essential in both [SACD and LP] formats."
– Hi-Fi+
SHIPPING & RETURNS
SHIPPING & RETURNS
FREE SHIPPING on purchases over $50
LOCAL PICKUP available at checkout
$5 MEDIA MAIL shipping in the USA
RETURNS
Items may be returned within 60 days of the delivery date.
If not defective, any product returned must be in the same condition in which customer received it and in the original retail packaging.
Yellow Racket will be responsible for cost of return on all damaged or defective items. Customer is responsible for cost of return if item is not damaged or defective. Photo/video evidence of damages/defects must be provided by customer within 14 days of the delivery date.
Customer assumes all responsibility for duties and taxes associated with international shipments.
GRADING
GRADING
Yellow Racket assigns condition based on the Goldmine Standard for grading records.
New (N) (Not typically included in the Goldmine Standard)
New records are purchased directly from the label, distributor, or registered wholesaler. Records are still sealed. Jackets may have slight shelf wear, but media has never been played.
Mint (M)
Still sealed. Never played. No observable flaws. Items have been purchased secondhand.
Near Mint (NM)
A Near Mint (NM) record will play perfectly, with no imperfections during playback. The record should show no obvious signs of wear.
The cover (and any additional packaging) has no creases, folds, seam splits, cut-out holes, or other noticeable defects.
Very Good Plus (VG+)
A Very Good Plus (VG+) record will show some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it.
Defects should be more of a cosmetic nature, not affecting the actual playback as a whole. Record surfaces may show some signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches.
The disc and LP cover may have slight signs of wear, and may be gently marred by spindle marks, paper scuffs, wrinkled corners, etc.
Very Good (VG)
Many of the defects found in a VG+ record will be more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise will be evident, but will not overpower the music. Disc may have light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound.
Labels, jackets, and inserts will have visible cosmetic flaws such as wrinkles, cut-outs, slight splitting, etc. However, it will usually have less than a dozen minor flaws.
Good (G)
A record in Good condition can be played through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise, scratches, and visible groove wear. A cover or sleeve will have seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear, or other defects will be present.
While the record will be playable without skipping, noticeable surface noise and "ticks" will almost certainly accompany the playback.
Poor (P), Fair (F)
The record may be cracked, badly warped, or won't play through without skipping or repeating. The picture sleeve may be water damaged, split, or heavily marred by wear and writing.
