Sketches of Spain

VINYL FORMAT. "Along with Kind of Blue, In a Silent Way, and Round About Midnight, Sketches of Spain is one of Miles Davis' most enduring and innovative achievements. Recorded between November 1959 and March 1960 - after Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley had left the band - Davis teamed with Canadian arranger Gil Evans for the third time. Davis brought Evans the album's signature piece, 'Concierto de Aranjuez,' after hearing a classical version of it at bassist Joe Mondragon's house. Evans was as taken with it as Davis was, and set about to create an entire album of material around it. The result is a masterpiece of modern art. On the 'Concierto,' Evans' arrangement provided an orchestra and jazz band - Paul Chambers, Jimmy Cobb, and Elvin Jones - the opportunity to record a classical work as it was. The piece, with its stunning colors and intricate yet transcendent adagio, played by Davis on a flugelhorn with a Harmon mute, is one of the most memorable works to come from popular culture in the 20th century." - All Music Guide