JAZZBO NOTES HIGHLY RECOMMENDED RECORDING
Rating: 
I recently reviewed Miles Davis’ Highlights from the Plugged Nickel, which was recorded with the 2nd great quartet. Much of the same material is covered on this earlier release featuring pianist Wynton Kelley, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Jimmy Cobb, so you might think it would be superfluous to own both. You would be wrong. The difference between the two is like day and night.
Whereas the Plugged Nickel material is exploratory, with elastic timekeeping and harmonies extended to their limits, the Blackhawk gig is straight ahead hard bop. It swings like mad and Davis’ technique is actually in better shape than on the Plugged Nickel material.
If you have any interest in the sort of early 60s Art Blakey Jazz Messengers hard bop that fueled the commercial resurgence of jazz in the 80s, then you ought to check out this set.
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