Already a talented performer on his own, Cannonball Adderley paid the rent mostly as a sideman for Miles Davis in 1958. Their relationship was a strong one and Miles and a few other legendary friends agreed to play sidemen for a day to the rising Cannonball.

The musical chemistry was killer. With Cannonball on the alto sax and Miles on the trumpet, the group rounded out with giants Art Blakey on drums and Sam Jones on bass. Hank Jones on the piano was no slouch, either.

With composing help from Cannonball’s brother Nat, this super group tackled new material and old standards in new ways that are still captivating. Songs include Autumn Leaves, Love for Sale, Somethin’ Else, One for Daddy-O and Dancing in the Dark.

This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.

Side A:
1. Autumn Leaves
2. Love For Sale

Side B:
1. Somethin’ Else
2. One For Daddy-O
3. Dancing In The Dark

As we all know now, this album was very much a collaborative effort between Cannonball Adderley and the master himself, Miles Davis, albeit in a rare guest appearance. Adderley was part of Miles’ sextet that recorded Milestones around the same time as this recording, and Miles was returning the favor. Miles is, if anything, more dominant on this album than his own, if truth be told, but that’s another story for another day.

Putting the vinyl on the turntable, and the beautiful opener Autumn Leaves has to be seen as one of the truly great jazz recordings, and thus is an example of this, as Miles takes three solos to Adderley’s one, playing the theme at the beginning and end. The arrangement of this standard is inspired, the piano intro and outro by Hank Jones work superbly well, and Miles is at his lyrical, moody best.

Love For Sale is also excellent, particularly Miles’ contribution, and it is interesting to compare with the version by Miles’ sextet, including Adderley, recorded a few months later, and found on the infamous ’58 Sessions.

Flipping the vinyl over, and after those two slow/medium tracks, Miles’ own titular Somethin’ Else raises the tempo and contains blistering interplay between the two men, both playing brilliantly in a joyful and exuberant performance.

Adderley redresses the balance with Dancing in the Dark, where he takes the only lead role and slowly builds momentum and emotion in his playing. And the track before it, One for Daddy O is another fine track featuring both soloists in great form.

In closing, Somethin’ Else [now out as a most wondrous 180 Gram Vinyl via Blue Note] is a classic album, and in my opinion, the best of all Blue Note recordings. A must for fans of either star - and the supporting cast isn’t bad either including Art Blakey on drums - it offers yet another element to Miles’ remarkable late ’50s music; arguably the greatest period of his career.

Musicians:
Cannonball Adderley, alto saxophone
Miles Davis, trumpet
Hank Jones, piano
Sam Jones, bass
Art Blakey, drums

Official Purchase Link