DEAR MILES - RON CARTER
Bassist Ron Carter offers a tribute here to Miles Davis, in whose quintet he played on such crucial albums as “Miles Smiles” and “Live at the Plugged Nickel.” Carter’s got a quartet going for “Dear Miles,” featuring pianist Stephen Scott, drummer Payton Crossley and percussionist Roger Squitero. The 10 tracks are a mix of tunes jazz fans readily associate with Davis, i.e., “Bag’s Groove” and Gil Evans’ “Gone,” and two Carter originals, “Cut and Paste” and “595.” The album is a fond remembrance that swings most righteously, yet it’s hardly a Miles rehash. Carter’s quartet has its own voice — note Carter’s wonderful bass sortie on “Stella by Starlight,” and the soulful interplay between Carter and Scott on “My Funny Valentine.” “Dear Miles” is a genuine tribute: It’s all about what Carter learned from Davis. Source: Billboard
