Miles Davis’ iconic ‘Kind of Blue’ reissued as 180-gram double LP

Jazz is a subjective art. Everyone has their own interpretation of how to present it in style, sound, and level of simplicity. Should it be horn-heavy? Should it be harmonized? What about tempo, production tricks, and time changes?

Whatever definition of ‘good jazz’ you may have, there is one central record that most come back to.

And that is Miles Davis’ iconic Kind of Blue. Initially recorded in 1959, at the apex of the high-fidelity age, Kind of Blue breaks away from what other jazz musicians were pumping out at the time. Driven forward by melody, heavy-hitting players John Coltrane, Julian “Cannonball” Adderley, Bill Evans, Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers, and Jimmy Cobb joined Davis in a one-take approach to the album, improvising most of the time. Although simple and straightforward, the result were breathtaking compositions that still defy listener expectations today.

From front to back, Kind of Blue mesmerizes. It ebbs and flows with emotion; it leaves so much to ponder. With just five tracks, Miles Davis and friends compiled what might be the greatest jazz record of all time, never going out of print and continuing to sell millions of copies worldwide to this day.

In honor of such an exemplary piece of recorded music, now in its 66th year, Analogue Productions has reissued Kind of Blue as a 180-gram double LP, with side 4 allowing fans an alt take of “Flamenco Sketches” cut at 45 RPM versus 33. The pressing was sourced from the Classic Records parts and mastered by Bernie Grundman directly from the original tapes, subsequently repairing the speed issue on the first three tracks!

With this correction, fans can now — for the first time — enjoy the most authentic versions of these timeless tracks.

Plus, for a limited time, jazz lovers and audiophiles can purchase one of just 1,500 copies of the blue vinyl version of the album — offered exclusively through Acoustic Sounds. Whether or not you go for the blue, each edition is packaged with a scuff-proof, beautifully matted “tip-on” gatefold jacket with notes on the speed correction process and an assessment of the ageless album by late music critic Robert Palmer serving as the liner notes.

With painstaking attention to detail, Kind of Blue persists better than ever before, reissued for more generations to cherish, study, and emulate. Miles Davis’ masterpiece is now available via the links below, so make sure to get your physical pressing before it sells out!

Track listing:

Side 1 – Corrected Speed

1. So What
2. Freddie Freeloader
3. Blue In Green

Side 2

1. All Blues
2. Flamenco Sketches

Side 3 – Original Speed

1. So What
2. Freddie Freeloader
3. Blue In Green

Side 4

1. Flamenco Sketches (Alt Take) (45 RPM)

Order ‘Kind of Blue’ album:

• Acoustic Sounds

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Disclaimer: All views presented in this album review are those of the reviewer and not necessarily those of Top Shelf Music.