The 1958
Jazz Track LP compilation is made up of two unrelated studio sessions. The first side is devoted to ten songs composed by
Miles Davis for the soundtrack to the French film L'Ascenseuer Pour l'Echafaud, with pianist
René Urtreger, tenor saxophonist
Barney Wilen, bassist
Pierre Michelot, and drummer
Kenny Clarke joining the trumpeter. Unfortunately, the music isn't particularly memorable, in spite of the best efforts of the musicians. The slower numbers seem rather sterile; while even the fast pace of "Sur l'Autoroute," featuring the leader's muted horn, leaves little in the way of a lasting impression.