Personnel: Miles Davis (trumpet); Al Haig, Lucky Thompson, Max Roach, Roy Porter, Charlie Parker .
Released on Savoy Jazz, this is the kind of budget compilation that has a lot more authority than most others. Compiled from its massive catalog, this set charts the years 1946-1948 when Miles Davis began to shine as an integral part of the front line in Charlie Parker's groups. Interestingly, it does not contain Miles' first performances with Parker on record, which occurred in September of 1945. It does include, however, Parker's own appearances on two of Davis' earliest sides as a leader and composer: "Little Willie Leaps" and "Sippin' at Bells," from an August 1947 session. These 13 tracks are useful for new fans of Miles or Bird or perhaps jazz academics seeking a concise look at Davis' early career or Bird after Dizzy Gillespie left. Generally, it's tough to surmise who will be looking for comp discs like this one, but Savoy has been around since the early '40s and they know best. ~ Thom Jurek
