Quiet Nights - Miles Davis (1LP Vinyl, 1963 pressing) - Very Good (VG)

Quiet Nights by Miles Davis.

There is a particular hush that settles over "Quiet Nights," and it begins the moment the needle finds the groove. This is Miles Davis in a reflective mood, drifting through a program that leans into bossa nova textures and after hours introspection. The record opens with "Song #2" and "Once Upon A Summertime" on the A side, moving into the Portuguese lyricism of "Aos Pes Da Cruz" and then "Song #1," before the B side unfolds with "Wait Till You See Her," "Corcovado," and the closing "Summer Night."

The music was captured at CBS 30th Street Studio in New York City, that legendary converted church space famed for its natural reverberation and warmth. The sessions span nearly a year, giving the album its patient, unhurried character. "Aos Pes Da Cruz" and "Corcovado" were laid down on July 27, 1962, while "Song #1" and "Wait Till You See Her" came from the August 13, 1962 date. The album's opening pair, "Song #2" and "Once Upon A Summertime," were recorded on November 6, 1962, and the closer, "Summer Night," was set to tape on April 17, 1963.

What you have here is the first release, and the label details tell the story to a trained eye. It carries the Columbia 2-eye label with the word "NONBREAKABLE" printed beneath the catalog number, a small but telling marker of an early pressing. Along the bottom you will find "360 SOUND STEREO" rendered in black letters. That black text is the giveaway for this first pressing; on the second pressing those same letters appear in white.

Collectors who chase the true firsts will appreciate the runout evidence as well. There is no "o" stamped in the runouts, which indicates this release was not mastered by Customatrix. That distinguishes it from the related Customatrix mastered pressing and confirms its place at the front of the line. The label also bears the registered Columbia logo with "Marcas Reg." and the note "Printed in U.S.A."

Tonally, this is a quieter corner of the Davis catalog, more mood piece than blowing session, and it rewards the listener who wants atmosphere rather than fireworks. The bossa inflected numbers sit comfortably alongside the standards, and the 30th Street acoustics lend the whole thing a spacious, intimate glow.

For the shelf of any serious Miles Davis collector, this is the pressing to seek out: a genuine first release with the black "360 SOUND STEREO" lettering, the 2-eye label, and the "NONBREAKABLE" line intact. A subtle, late night record that deserves a proper place in the collection.

Pressing Details:
This is the 1st release pressed on Columbia 2-eye label and "NONBREAKABLE" beneath the cat#. "360 SOUND STEREO ..." at the bottom in black letters (on the 2nd pressing these letters are white).

No "o" in runouts, meaning this release was not mastered by Customatrix, unlike [r11699502]

(R) Columbia [logo] Marcas Reg.
Printed in U.S.A.

Recorded at: CBS 30th Street Studio, New York City
July 27, 1962 (A3, B2)
August 13, 1962 (A4,B1)
November 6, 1962 (A1, A2)
April 17, 1963 (B3)

Track Listing:
A1. Song #2
A2. Once Upon A Summertime
A3. Aos Pes Da Cruz
A4. Song #1
B1. Wait Till You See Her
B2. Corcovado
B3. Summer Night

Artist: Miles Davis

Format: 1LP

Genre: Jazz

Label: Columbia

Catalog Number: CS 8906

Release Year: 1963

Country: United States

Media Condition: Very Good (VG) (rare not feel-able scuffs)

Sleeve Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)