As a scaled down version of the box set Seven Steps: The Complete Recordings 1963-1964, this best-of is a fine if somewhat disappointing compilation of one of trumpeter
Miles Davis' oft-overlooked periods. It was during this time that
Davis along with pianists
Victor Feldman and
Herbie Hancock, saxophonists
George Coleman,
Sam Rivers, and
Wayne Shorter, bassist
Ron Carter, and drummers
Frank Butler and
Tony Williams created some of his most muscular, assured, and exciting recordings. Albeit, these cuts were not as influential as the ones collected on The Miles Davis Quintet, 1965-68: The Complete Columbia Studio and featuring saxophonist
Wayne Shorter, but they are nonetheless important milestones in
Davis' development. Included here are such iconic tracks as the title cut from this group's only studio album,
Seven Steps to Heaven, an impressionistic version of "Autumn Leaves" culled off
Miles Davis in Europe, and a swinging take on "If I Were a Bell" with boundary-pushing tenor saxophonist
Sam Rivers off
Miles in Tokyo. However, despite the high quality of music, at only seven tracks it seems like more of a sampler rather than a legitimate alternative for buyers who can't afford the box set. Further, these recordings are available on full-length reissues that longtime fans will no doubt prefer over this compilation. As such,
The Best of Seven Steps: The Complete Recordings 1963-1964 remains a somewhat redundant package. ~ Matt Collar