Amazon.comBassist Ron Carter provided the anchor for Miles Davis's band from 1963 to 1969, becoming an indispensable part of one of the trumpeters greatest bands. While there's plenty of reflection on Davis's music and personality here, the emphasis is squarely on Carter's own long-standing quartet, featuring pianist Stephen Scott, drummer Payton Crossley and percussionist Roger Squitero. As you'd expect from that line-up the emphasis is often on rhythm, with Carter's warm-toned, resonant bass pulsing at the heart of the music. Davis's fleet "Seven Steps to Heaven" inspires racing invention from Scott and some vibrantly explosive percussion from Squitero, while "My Funny Valentine" has Scott playing with the kind of spare lyricism that was a Davis hallmark, Carter supplying a beautiful chordal accompaniment. There's even a bell-like elegance to the subtle blues-feel of "Bag's Groove." While much of the material alludes directly to Davis's inspiration, the quartet's also reflects one of Daviss own stylistic sources, pianist Ahmad Jamal's trio. --Stuart BroomerProduct description1. Gone 2. Seven Steps to Heaven 3. My Funny Valentine 4. Bags' Groove 5. Someday My Prince Will Come 6. Cut and Paste7. Stella by Starlight 8. As Time Goes By 9. Bye Bye Blackbird 10. 595
