Acoustic Sounds
Miles Davis Birth of the Blue
By: Tracking Angle

November 13th, 2024

Category:

News

"Birth of the Blue"—First Recording Session with the "Kind of Blue" band Released by Acoustic Sounds!

mastered AAA from a new 30IPS 1/4" stereo master tape sourced from 3 track master!

November 13th, 2024 – Analogue Productions, the world leader in high quality vinyl production, is thrilled to announce the December 13 release of Birth of the Blue, a collection documenting the transformative first session in 1958 by the same band that would go on to record Kind of Blue - the one of the greatest and greatest-selling jazz album of all time - the following year. Featuring Davis’ legendary sextet - John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Bill Evans, Paul Chambers, and Jimmy Cobb - who had first come together less than two weeks prior, this historic set was recorded at Columbia’s 30th Street Studio, and captures the origins of a momentous shift in modern jazz. Featuring four tracks, including three ballads and one Davis original, the music was meticulously remastered from new transfers of the original stereo session tapes, and is presented here as a standalone release for the first time ever. Birth of the Blue was pressed at Quality Record Pressing and the premium gatefold jacket features period-correct artwork plus new liner notes from acclaimed jazz historian Ashley Kahn, author of Kind of Blue: The Making of the Miles Davis Masterpiece.

 Kahn notes that the four tunes on Birth of the Blue have previously been treated as “archival lagniappe - a stepchild undeserving of its own release.” He continues, “But to quote Miles himself: So what. Together these tracks capture a very rare and special group of improvisers in their first weeks as an ensemble, and have their own story to tell. Together, they merit their own release - musically, historically, undeniably.”

Two Opportunities for You to Hear a Preview of This Landmark Release
On Wednesday, December 4th, Analogue Productions and Acoustic Sounds will preview the release of Birth of the Blue with a special playback session and panel discussion featuring Kahn, Acoustic Sounds founder and CEO Chad Kassem, and Davis producer and archivist Steve Berkowitz, at NYC listening room All Blues. Named after a track on the Kind of Blue album and inspired by the jazz kissa bars of Japan, All Blues is home to one of the finest vintage playback systems in New York. The event, scheduled for 8 to 9 p.m., is open to the public and no RSVP is required. For more information, visit https://allbluesnyc.com/
 

On Thursday, December 5th, Analogue Productions and Acoustic Sounds will again preview the record at Innovative Audio Video Showrooms in NYC. Hear the record on a state-of-the-art vinyl playback system. Meet Chad and learn more of the backstory about this monumental release. Birth of the Blue and other Analogue Productions records will be available for purchase. For time, location and RSVP information to the Innovative event, visit https://innovative.nyc/rsvp-miles

Comments

  • 2024-11-13 05:57:13 PM

    Come on wrote:

    Very nice, will buy!

  • 2024-11-13 07:07:56 PM

    Anton wrote:

    Hmmm, which color sounds better?

    I can’t decide which way to go.

    • 2024-11-13 11:37:02 PM

      Come on wrote:

      Black is less noisy, transparent colored probably has no magnetizable particles. I’d prefer black. Anyway over solid colored records but also over transparent colored ones.

  • 2024-11-14 03:19:52 PM

    Jeff 'Glotz' Glotzer wrote:

    Color vinyl usually is an issue when QC is laxed and dust and noise finds its way into the pressing process. Given this is Acoustic Sounds, I imagine they will have to do a great job preventing that occurrence. They aren't perfect, but generally a lot better than every one else, less the very bespoke brands. I'd rather have a black disc, as it's easier to pick up dust on the LP. Needless to say this will be an epic, do not miss release.

    • 2024-11-14 09:56:25 PM

      Jeff 'Glotz' Glotzer wrote:

      My other question is more of eyebrow raise... Where is the One-Step for this?? Put on hold until we pay for this $40 version first?! Probably- knowing Acoustic Sounds. Or is the tape just not that great sounding? Probably- if a One-Step isn't coming.

  • 2024-11-14 09:55:00 PM

    PeterG wrote:

    How could anyone NOT order this? Very excited...

    • 2024-11-15 12:40:28 AM

      Jazz fan wrote:

      Well, the music has been available for decades. I have three versions of it.

    • 2024-11-15 12:40:32 AM

      Jazz fan wrote:

      Well, the music has been available for decades. I have three versions of it.

    • 2024-11-15 12:40:35 AM

      Jazz fan wrote:

      Well, the music has been available for decades. I have three versions of it.

  • 2024-11-15 01:03:55 AM

    DALE R DUVALL wrote:

    It's now at the top of my "to buy" list, I'll pre-order when I can, Still have the original "Kind of Blue" album I purchased when first released.