Miles Davis’ Reflective ‘The Musings of Miles’ Gets Special Vinyl Reissue (ALBUM REVIEW)

Released in 1955, The Musings of Miles finds Miles Davis in a thoughtful, reflective mood. This was his first session for Prestige as a leader since kicking heroin the year prior, this album feels like a quiet reset, less about showing off and more about settling into his own voice. It’s a small, focused session with just four musicians, and that simplicity gives the record an inviting, almost intimate feel. As part of Craft Recordings ongoing “Original Jazz Classics” reissue series, The Musings of Miles, is pressed on 180-gram vinyl pressed at RTI from lacquers cut from the original tapes (AAA) by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio.

Davis is joined by pianist Red Garland, bassist Oscar Pettiford, and drummer Philly Joe Jones. The group plays with an easy chemistry, even though this exact lineup wouldn’t appear together again. Garland’s piano is especially warm and graceful, while Pettiford and Jones lay down steady, swinging rhythms that keep the music grounded without ever getting in the way.

The opening track, “Will You Still Be Mine?”, kicks things off with a burst of energy. It’s fast and upbeat, but Davis doesn’t rush. His trumpet playing is relaxed, with lots of space between the notes. That sense of space is really what sets this album apart, Davis never tries to fill every moment. He lets the music breathe. One of the standout moments comes with “I See Your Face Before Me,” a slow, tender ballad. Davis plays it with a kind of quiet intensity, as if he’s telling a personal story. The whole band dials things down, and the result is beautifully understated. There’s a cool, bluesy track called “Green Haze” that Davis wrote himself. It’s not flashy, but it has a great late-night feel—moody and slow-burning. And on their version of “A Night in Tunisia,” the band puts a unique spin on a jazz standard. Instead of the usual high-energy approach, Davis keeps things cool and tense, stretching out the melody in unexpected ways.

At just over half an hour, The Musings of Miles isn’t a grand statement. But that’s part of its charm. It’s a glimpse into Davis’s quieter side, showing how much he could say with just a few carefully chosen notes. The immaculate sound of this vinyl pressing is perfect for this album as the clean pressing lets every note be heard. For anyone interested in hearing a jazz legend at a turning point; relaxed, focused, and beginning to shape a whole new direction, this album is a great place to start.