In addition to two selections ("Little Melonae" and "Budo") from his first session for Columbia, this LP contains the complete performance at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival. When one considers that
Davis' sextet at the time included such giants as tenor saxophonist
John Coltrane, altoist
Cannonball Adderley, pianist
Bill Evans, bassist
Paul Chambers, and drummer
Jimmy Cobb, it is not surprising that fireworks resulted. Still, the power and drive of this intense version of "Ah-Leu-Cha" is a revelation, and the band really swings and stretches out on "Straight, No Chaser," "Fran Dance," "Two Bass Hit," and "Bye Bye Blackbird." Brilliant music by some of the giants.