Waxtime / Europe / RE 2018 / LP, 180 gr Yellow
Sketches of Spain is one of Miles Davis' most innovative and enduring albums, alongside Kind of Blue, In a Silent Way, and Round About Midnight. Recorded between November 1959 and March 1960, Davis collaborated with arranger Gil Evans for the third time, crafting an album centered around Joaquín Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez. Davis, inspired by a classical performance he heard, brought the piece to Evans, who built the album around its rich, evocative sound.
The album blends jazz with Spanish classical music, featuring Davis' haunting flügelhorn performance on the Concierto, with its intricate, emotional adagio. Other standout pieces include Saeta, showcasing a technically brilliant solo, and Solea, a narrative piece influenced by Andalusian folk traditions. The percussion work, with flamenco-inspired rhythms from Jimmy Cobb and Elvin Jones, adds depth to Evans' lush arrangements.
Sketches of Spain remains a unique, genre-defying work that, even decades later, continues to captivate listeners with its rich textures and emotional power.