Miles Davis: Your Favorite Period or Band

[Franco]

Miles Davis is somewhat unique among jazz musicians/band leaders in that over the course of his career his bands clearly defined different styles or approaches to post-bop jazz.  His first quintet (Coltrane, Garland, Chambers, Jones) is classic post bop (this group was preceded by the sextet with Adderly and Bill Evans, and followed by a kind of transition personnel with some tracks including Herbie Hancock or Winton Kelly and using a variety of horn players) his other quintet (Shorter, Hancock, Carter, Williams) pushed the envelope of structured group improvisation to the limit of the post-bop form and moved away from improvised standards to original jazz compositions - many by Wayne Shorter.

Then came the electric years of the 1970s, preceeded by a couple of LPs of transition where the acoustic quintet began to incorporate more and more electronic elements.

His last period continued the electric bands, but in a more pop orientation.

All of the groups Miles put together were great in their own way, and most of the sidemen he used went on to become important band leaders, making Miles' influence on modern jazz enormous.  But, of all the many groups that Miles Davis recorded with, my clear favorite is the band of 1965-1968, usually referred to as his second great quintet with Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Tony Williams.  The LPs E.S.P., Miles Smiles, The Sorcerer, and Nefertiti were ground breaking at the time they came out and remain classic jazz records of any period.

I would enjoy hearing from others about their personal favorite Miles.

[snyprrr]

Sophie's Choice?

[Bu]

My personal fav period is from '68 to '72, roughly from the album Filles de Kilmianjaro to On the Corner.  This era--at least for me--is always worth exploring again and again.  His earlier epochs certainly have their brilliant and exciting moments, but they just aren't as musically diverse.  The electric Miles period was earthy, but somehow mystical and spiritual at the same time (again, according to my ears).  And, in the case of On the Corner, its all so downright funky..............

[Josquin des Prez]

For the time being, i'd have the to say his second Coltrane collaboration. Once i can get my aversion for electric instruments out of my system, i'll give his later work the proper attention.

[bwv 1080]

My personal fav period is from '68 to '72, roughly from the album Filles de Kilmianjaro to On the Corner. 

yep, same here

[George]

Miles Davis is somewhat unique among jazz musicians/band leaders in that over the course of his career his bands clearly defined different styles or approaches to post-bop jazz.  His first quintet (Coltrane, Garland, Chambers, Jones) is classic post bop

I think this is my favorite period. Joe Jones is the reason, for his drumming is superb and I love the bands energy during these years.

But, of all the many groups that Miles Davis recorded with, my clear favorite is the band of 1965-1968, usually referred to as his second great quintet with Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Tony Williams.  The LPs E.S.P., Miles Smiles, The Sorcerer, and Nefertiti were ground breaking at the time they came out and remain classic jazz records of any period.

That is my second favorite period.

If he had recorded enough albums in that Kind of Blue style, that would be my favorite Miles period, but alas, he didn't.