About

The undeniable strength and conviction present in Miles Davis' performance on Walkin', underscores the urgency and passion with which he would rightfully reclaim his status as a primary architect of bop. Davis is supported by his all-stars, consisting of his primary rhythm unit: Horace Silver (piano), Percy Heath (bass), and Kenny Clarke (drums). The sextet featured on the title track, as well as "Blue 'n' Boogie," adds the talents of J.J. Johnson (trombone) and Lucky Thompson (tenor sax). Davis' quintet includes the primary trio and Dave Schildkraut (alto sax). Perhaps not an instantly recognizable name, Schildkraut nonetheless made some notable contributions to Stan Kenton's Kenton Showcase EPs, concurrent with his work with Miles.

Walkin' commences with the extended title track, which follows a standard 12-bar blues theme. While the solos from Johnson and Thomson are unique, Miles retains a palpable sense of extrication from the music -- as if the song was an extension of his solo instead of the other way around. The lethargic rhythms reiterate the subtle adornments of the horn section to the basic trio. In direct contrast to "Walkin'" is a full-tilt jumper, "Blue 'n' Boogie." The improvisation yields some truly memorable solos and exchanges between Davis and Johnson -- who can be heard clearly quoting from Thelonious Monk's "Rhythm-A-Ning." "Solar" maintains a healthy tempo while drawing the listener in to the delicate interplay where the solos often dictate the melody. Horace Silver's piano solo is Ellington-esque in it's subdued elegance. The final track, "Love Me or Leave Me," gives the most solid indication of the direction Miles' impending breakthrough would take. So swift and certain is each note of his solo, it reflects the accuracy of someone thinking several notes ahead of what he is playing. Walking is a thoroughly solid effort. (— via AllMusic)

—
Producer/A&R executive George Avakian once said that Walkin’ renewed his interest in Davis as a potential signing for Columbia. However, he was aware of how the trumpeter’s addiction problems had made him a persona non grata among club owners and booking agents for his persistent no-shows, so he wanted to be sure Davis had turned a corner. He had. Avakian finally signed Miles in July 1955.

Walkin’ is one of the defining albums of the then emerging Hard Bop period, and contains two of Davis’ most memorable solos: on the title track and ‘Blue ’n Boogie’ – both comprise side one and are the only reason to excite purchase. Even so, it’s an album that should be in every self-respecting jazz fans music collection.

The album combined two previous Prestige releases on 10 inch, Miles Davis and The All-Star Sextet and Miles Davis Quintet. Davis’ solo on ‘Walkin’’ is widely regarded as one of his best – its poise, eloquence, unhurried note selection and the way Davis ‘plays’ his silences, or pauses, so they too become essential components of the solo itself is one of the aesthetically sublime moments in jazz, a truly great solo created on one of the simplest chord sequences in jazz – a blues in F major (G for trumpet, as it is a transposing instrument).

This Craft re-release is a significantly better pressing than the original OJC releases from 1982 onwards, which were still struggling with a vinyl shortage following the 1973 and 1979 oil crises, since vinyl, relies on ethylene (a key petroleum-based compound) in its production. The original OJC releases where much thinner (less vinyl) compared to the current 180 gram release, and the lower octaves, from C4 down to C1, sound far more substantial. The record sleeves on the original OJC run were not as substantial as the original Prestige releases, something Craft also corrects, making this album an excellent way to plug a hole in your collection if it has somehow eluded you, or to replace the original OJC. — (via Jazzwise)

↓
Label: Prestige, Craft Recordings
Series: Original Jazz Classics
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Mono, 180g
Reissued: 2025 / Original Release: 1957
Genre: Jazz
Style: Bop, Hard Bop

File under: Audiophile Jazz
⦿