Miles Davis – Milestones (1973 CBS Japan Reissue LP Vinyl)

Originally released in 1958 and reissued in 1973 as part of CBS/Sony Japan’s SX68MARK II series, this mono pressing of Milestones captures Miles Davis and his legendary sextet in a moment of transformation — standing between the fiery drive of hard bop and the cool, open spaces of modal jazz.

Davis’s trumpet is joined by an extraordinary ensemble: John Coltrane on tenor saxophone, Cannonball Adderley on alto, Red Garland at the piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums. Together, they push beyond the bop tradition with precision and grace. The title track, simply Miles, marks Davis’s first foray into modal composition — a stripped-down harmonic framework that hints at the innovations to come on Kind of Blue.

Across the set, the group moves effortlessly from the taut interplay of Dr. Jekyll and Sid’s Ahead to the driving energy of Two Bass Hit, while Billy Boy and Straight, No Chaser showcase the rhythm section’s subtle swing and understated power.

Pressed with the exceptional craftsmanship typical of early-1970s Japanese issues, this CBS/Sony mono reissue delivers outstanding warmth and presence, faithfully preserving the immediacy of the original Columbia recording. Milestones remains one of the defining documents of modern jazz — the sound of a band, and a leader, finding their next horizon.

Vinyl: EX
Sleeve: VG+
Obi: None

Our grading system explained here.

Photo is of the actual item.