Someone once said that holding a book is like holding a garden in your hand, well holding this box set is a bit like that - a few days before Christmas 1965 - can you imagine what Chicago must have been like? Deep in the Plugged Nickel Miles' 2nd great quintet decide that they will produce as good a jazz as there has ever been over two nights, then go home for Christmas or whatever, i don't know... But in this box is music as rich varied and rewarding as you'll find anywhere on this great earth. The track list might look repetative but what they are playing is almost nominal, its like complainig if an explorer took two ships that were built the same and then pointed them in unknown, but different directions!
Sure this box is a commitment but its a garden in your hand to treasure until you get to meet miles for real. I can't wait to hear this music for the 100th, 200th time i love it in a i want to get old with it way - and it was more or less another gig for the 2nd great quintet!
