Analogue Productions Announces Miles Davis’ ‘Birth of the Blue,’ First-Ever Standalone Release of ‘Kind of Blue’ Sextet’s First Recording Session

Today, Nov. 13, Analogue Productions unveils Birth of the Blue, an early rarity from Miles Davis and the storied sextet behind Kind of Blue. In this first-ever standalone release, the dream team of Davis, saxophonists John Coltrane and Julian “Cannonball” Adderley, bassist Paul Chambers, drummer Jimmy Cobb and pianist Bill Evans find their sound in the 1958 session that set the tone for the best selling jazz album of all time—never far from discussion of the greatest album ever recorded. Capturing the transformative date that bonded a band formed less than two weeks prior, Birth of the Blue is the genesis of a modal jazz masterpiece that redefined music’s horizons.

Birth of the Blue comprises Davis and his band’s first treatments of three standards and a standout: “On Green Dolphin Street,” “Stella By Starlight,” “Love for Sale” and Davis’ enchanting original “Fran-Dance,” included here as the first of very few tapings. On these songs, six immensely capable artists, each legends in their own right, translate their distinct sounds to the new modal style and produce wide-open, melody-focused performances. Formerly buried in bonus collections, these archival gems from the ensemble’s May 26, 1958 date at Columbia’s 30th Street Studio finally take the spotlight on Analogue Productions’ release, now artfully remastered from the original stereo tapes and reappraised with liner notes from Ashley Kahn, author of Kind of Blue: The Making of the Miles Davis Masterpiece.

In his contextualization, Kahn notes that the four tunes on Birth of the Blue were formerly regarded as “archival lagniappe – a stepchild undeserving of its own release.” He continues, “But to quote Miles himself: So what. Together these tracks capture a very rare and special group of improvisers in their first weeks as an ensemble, and have their own story to tell. Together, they merit their own release – musically, historically, undeniably.”

On Wednesday, Nov. 4, Analogue Productions and Acoustic Sounds–the Salina, Kan.-based vertically-integrated high-end audio company that houses the label, as well as a mastering studio, record pressing plant, print shop and more–will celebrate the release of Birth of the Blues with a special listening event at New York’s All Blues. The intimate jazz bar and stereo haven will host a playback session and discussion panel with Acoustic Sounds founder Chad Kassem and acclaimed Davis producer and archivist Steve Berkowitz. The premiere is open to the public.

Pre-order the 180 gram pressing of Birth of the Blue here. For more information on Acoustic Sounds, visit acousticsounds.com.

Birth of the Blue – Miles Davis:

1. On Green Dolphin Street
2. Fran-Dance
3. Stella By Starlight
4. Love for Sale