Kind Of Blue - Miles Davis (1LP Vinyl, 1981 Japan pressing) - Near Mint (NM)

Kind Of Blue by Miles Davis.

Few records have reshaped the language of jazz as completely as "Kind Of Blue," and holding this Japanese pressing is like holding a quiet revolution. Manufactured by CBS/SONY Inc. in Tokyo, Japan, under the CBS and Sony banners, this edition carries the care and precision that Japanese pressings of the era are so prized for, right down to the inclusion of Japanese liner notes that accompany the original text.

The album unfolds across five compositions, all written by Miles Davis, beginning with the unmistakable opening of "So What" before moving through "Freddie Freeloader" and the hushed reverie of "Blue In Green" on Side A. Side B answers with the loping pulse of "All Blues" and the meditative "Flamenco Sketches," closing the record on a note of open, searching calm. These are pieces built on space and mood rather than density, an approach that would echo through decades of music to come.

The band assembled here is nothing short of legendary. Miles Davis leads on trumpet, joined by Cannonball Adderley on alto saxophone across "So What," "Freddie Freeloader," "All Blues," and "Flamenco Sketches," and John Coltrane on tenor saxophone. The rhythm section is anchored by Paul Chambers on double bass and Jimmy Cobb on drums, a partnership that gives the album its unhurried, breathing sense of swing.

The piano chair tells its own story across the sessions. Bill Evans plays on "So What" and again from "Blue In Green" through the close of the record, his introspective touch shaping much of the album's famous atmosphere. Wynton Kelly steps in for "Freddie Freeloader," bringing a bluesier, more buoyant feel to that track. Evans also contributed the original liner notes, offering a poetic framing that has become nearly as celebrated as the music itself.

The recording took place in New York City across two dates, with Side A captured on March 2, 1959, and Side B on April 22, 1959. Jay Maisel provided the photography, lending the release its enduring visual identity. Together the sessions form a document of musicians working in the moment, largely from sparse sketches, trusting instinct and one another.

This copy also bears the SJ Seal Of Approval, a nod to its standing among collectors who value pressings of genuine quality and provenance. For anyone building a serious jazz collection, or simply seeking the definitive listening experience of one of the most important albums ever recorded, this Japanese CBS/SONY pressing of "Kind Of Blue" is an essential addition to the shelf at

Pressing Details:
Track Listing:
A1. So What
A2. Freddie Freeloader
A3. Blue In Green
B1. All Blues
B2. Flamenco Sketches

Credits:
Cannonball Adderley - Alto Saxophone (A1, A2, B1, B2)
Miles Davis - Composed By
Paul Chambers (3) - Double Bass [Bass]
Jimmy Cobb - Drums
Bill Evans - Liner Notes
Jay Maisel - Photography By
Bill Evans - Piano (A1, A3 to B2)
Wynton Kelly - Piano (A2)
John Coltrane - Tenor Saxophone
Miles Davis - Trumpet
Miles Davis - Written-By

Notes:
Side A: Recorded NYC, March 2, 1959
Side B: Recorded NYC, April 22, 1959

Manufactured by CBS/SONY Inc. (Tokyo Japan) / ® CBS Inc. / SONY ®Sony Corp. (js)

Includes japanese liner notes.

[url=https://www.discogs.com/lists/SJ-Seal-Of-Approval/577495]SJ Seal Of Approval[/url]

Artist: Miles Davis

Format: 1LP

Genre: Jazz

Label: CBS/Sony

Catalog Number: 18AP 2056

Release Year: 1981

Country: Japan

Condition: Used

Media Condition: Near Mint (NM)

Sleeve Condition: Near Mint (NM)