Four Generations of Miles is an unusual tribute to
Miles Davis, featuring a quartet made up of alumni from four different editions of the trumpeter's bands, while omitting keyboards and trumpet entirely. Drummer
Jimmy Cobb, tenor saxophonist
George Coleman, bassist
Ron Carter, and guitarist
Mike Stern concentrate almost exclusively on the 1950s repertoire of
Davis, excepting
Ron Carter's somewhat abstract, R&B-flavored "81," which is from the mid-'60s.
Stern's sparse accompaniment for
Coleman in "All Blues" works surprising well in place of a piano, while the percolating take of "On Green Dolphin Street" will get a listener's feet patting.
Coleman's soulful playing is the centerpiece of a lush treatment of "Blue in Green."
Carter and
Cobb provide a superb foundation for the soloists throughout this live recording. The creativity and musicianship throughout this excellent tribute make it stand head and shoulders above most such efforts. ~ Ken Dryden