Archive
MILES DAVIS
Previously unreleased set recorded three months before his death
Merci Miles! Live At Vienne
RHINO
7/10
In the summer of 1991, Miles Davis made his final European tour with a five-piece band that included saxophonist Kenny Garrett, Deron Johnson on keyboards and two bass players. Judging from the energy and vitality of this set of jazz-funk fusion laced with R&B and hip-hop overtones, there was nothing to indicate that his tempestuous life was nearing its close. The band whip up a storm, with Davis allowing his sidemen plenty of space to solo. Yet it’s his burnished trumpet playing that remains the central attraction, whether swinging seductively on “Jailbait”, blowing with melodic lyricism on “Amandla” or absolutely hammering it on “Hannibal”. On his return to America, he checked in for a routine medical and three weeks later he was dead from a stroke, pneumonia and respiratory failure.