Crucial post-bop sessions officially reissued for Prestige's 70th anniversary! Originally released in 1957 as PRLP7109, Bags' Groove compiles tracks from two separate 10" releases (Miles Davis All-Stars Vol. 1 and Miles Davis And The Modern Jazz Giants), alongside previously unreleased alternative takes. Showcased on the A-side are the two variations of the title track "Bags' Groove" (named after vibraphonist/composer Milt "Bags" Jackson) that would go on to become a jazz standard. Here Milt is joined by Miles Davis on trumpet, Thelonious Monk on keys, Percy Heath on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums who display mastery over improvisation. On the flip, we are treated to several key Sonny Rollins compositions (taken from PRLP187) that would also become standards, including "Airegin," "Oleo," and "Doxy." Personnel on side B - Miles on trumpet, Sonny Rollins on tenor sax, Horace Silver on keys, and once again, Percy Heath on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums. Pressed as a limited edition of 500 on translucent blue vinyl. 

• translucent blue colored vinyl pressing
• limited edition of 500
• part of the Prestige 70th Anniversary reissue series
• music label: Prestige 2019

reviewed by neck cork 09/2019