Electric Miles 2
Mama, 2023
8/10
The always impressive Charles Pillow returns with a deep dive into the work of Miles Davis from 1969-1974, where the large cast even includes 3 French horns.
“It’s About That Time” opens the listen with crisp drumming and fluid brass making a melodic impression, where Clay Jenkins’ bright trumpet solo is quite exciting, and “Rated X” follows with an initially cautious approach that uses the horns with much precision, as Tim Hagans’ firm trumpet won’t go unnoticed.
In the middle, “Yaphet” showcases Henry Hey’s finger acrobatics on keyboards for the atmospheric and warm album highlight, while “Agharta” is a rich and textured climate that welcomes Pillow’s dreamy flute and Scott Wendholt’s expressive trumpet. The final track, “Willie Nelson”, is populated by Jimmy Greene’s tenor sax, Mike Davis’ trombone and Dave Rickenberg’s bass for the more rock focused exit.
An extremely involved 7 tracks that utilizes the most of the Big Band arrangement, Pillow and company make for a imaginative and really exploratory take on some classic songs.
Travels well with: Emmett Goods- Another Level; Bill O’Connell- Live In Montauk