Miles Davis – Volume 2 (1977 Blue Note Japan Reissue LP Vinyl)

Reissued in 1977 on Blue Note Japan, this mono pressing of Miles Davis – Volume 2 (catalogue no. GXF-3012(M)) compiles sessions recorded in 1953 and 1954 that capture Miles Davis at a transitional moment — moving from the cool, understated lyricism of his early 1950s work into the more assertive, hard bop sound that would define the decade.

Across these dates, Davis is joined by a rotating cast of remarkable players: J.J. Johnson on trombone, Jackie McLean on alto saxophone, Jimmy Heath on tenor, Horace Silver and Gil Coggins alternating at the piano, and rhythm sections featuring Art Blakey, Kenny Clarke, Percy Heath, and Oscar Pettiford. The interplay is sharp and lively, the arrangements tight yet open enough to let the soloists stretch out.

The set includes standout performances such as Take-Off and Weirdo, the lyrical I Waited for You, and alternate takes of Ray’s Idea and Tempus Fugit that offer fascinating glimpses into Davis’s evolving phrasing and tone.

Pressed with the precision and quiet surfaces for which 1970s Japanese Blue Note editions are prized, this GXF-series mono reissue combines superb fidelity with elegant packaging — a must-have for collectors seeking Davis’s early hard bop recordings in their finest form.

Vinyl: EX
Sleeve: VG+
Obi: None

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Photo is of the actual item.