Miles Davis and Marcus Miller - Music from Siesta (1987)

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Miles Davis and Marcus Miller - Music from Siesta (1987)

MP3 | 320Kbps | RS.com | 95mb | 5% File Recovery

Genre: Jazz

Allmusic.com:
This collaboration between Miles Davis and producer Marcus Miller (who, except for some cameos, plays all of the other instruments) is quite successful and a bit of a surprise since it is essentially a soundtrack to an obscure film. Dedicated to arranger Gil Evans, the music is greatly influenced by his style with Miller creating an electrified but very warm orchestra to accompany Davis’ melodic solos. This was the first of several instances in which Miles Davis, in the twilight of his life, returned to his roots. It’s worth searching for.

Amazon.com reviewer:
This has long been among my favourite soundtracks, although I’ve never really tried to analyze why it is. In order to truly appreciate this soundtrack, it is not necessary (and perhaps inadvisable) to first see the strange 1987 Mary Lambert film “Siesta.” Watching the odd, discordant film will neither cement nor displace any emotional and intellectual associations created by the work of Marcus Miller and Miles Davis for this bold, deep, fascinating score. The opening track is the first of the five- part “Lost in Madrid” theme, and is haunting and sad, punctuated by Miles Davis’ unforgettable trumpet work. The next collection of tracks (”Siesta,” “Kitt’s Kiss,” and the second part of “Lost in Madrid”) add to the otherworldly atmosphere of the work. Amidst the touches of Spain (especially in the percussive “Siesta”) are intimations of a more abstract plane of existence, in keeping with the theme of the film. The third collection of tracks (or “Track 3″ on the liner notes) begins with the languid, sultry “Theme for Augustine,” very evocative of some of Vangelis’ film-score pieces.

Next, in quick succession, are the very brief “Wind,” the metallic, stirring “Seduction,” and finally the gentle “Kiss.” The fourth track is “Submission,” the tranquility of the piece broken by electronic chimes sounds and Davis’ urgent trumpet peals. Next is the third part of “Lost in Madrid,” this time sounding more eerie and chilling. The sixth track begins with the steamy, syncopated “Conchita,” a contrast to the coolness of the previous track. “Conchita” drifts and meanders, adding odd elements like gongs, splashing water effects, and moaning voices. It also sounds more authentically Spanish than many of the tracks. Squeezed into the final minute of the sixth track is the elegent, elegaic “Lament.”

The seventh track begins with “Lost in Madrid Part IV,” launches into the vaguely oriental “Rat Dance” (which recalls some of the work of electronic wizard Garry Hughes), then closes with the quiet “The Call.” This is followed by “Claire,” in which Earl Klugh supplies beautiful guitar accompaniment to Miles Davis’ trumpet. The classical guitar and trumpet seem to be engaged in a dialogue. This soft, gentle piece is followed by the fifth and final part of “Lost in Madrid,” a sort of deconstructed version of the earlier theme. Here, Davis’ trumpet notes seem to hover over the piece like the shimmer of heat on a lonely highway on a hot summer day. Davis’ mastery of his instrument is unquestionable, as this work bears testament. The ninth track is “Afterglow,” which has a sense of the provocative and the dangerous. The work closes with the touching, haunting “Los Feliz.” Davis’ trumpet finds yet another worthy accompaniment in James Walker’s lilting flute work. Miller and Davis have saved the best for last, and it ends the soundtrack off on a beautiful, restrained, and sensitive note. If only the movie were as elegant and tasteful, as powerful and profound, as the soundtrack!

Personnel:
Miles Davis, trumpet
Marcus Miller / all other instruments except as follows:
John Scofield, guitar on “Siesta”
Earl Klugh, guitar on “Clair”
Omar Hakim, drums on “Siesta”
James M. Walker, flute on “Los Feliz”
Jason Miles, synth

Tracks:
1. Lost In Madrid Part I
2. Siesta/Kitt’s Kiss/Lost In Madrid Part II
3. Theme For Augustine/Wind/Seduction/Kiss
4. Submission
5. Lost In Madrid Part III
6. Conchita/Lament
7. Lost In Madrid Part IV/Rat Dance/The Call
8. Claire/Lost In Madrid Part V
9. Afterglow
10. Los Feliz

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