Miles Davis Prestige albums...

Dig and Miles Davis and Horns are are not especially hi-fi. Neither of them were recorded by Rudy Van Gelder, although he did the masters for pressing. I have both of these on original vinyl and the sound is about what you'd expect out of early 50's recordings. Not quite a 78 but not yet up to a good 33. They were recorded on tape, but very early tape. Thin bass, a little grainy sounding, But don't let that put you off - they are terrific records. I'm especially fond of "and Horns" - great harmonies.

I have early 2nd pressings of "Cookin" and "Miles." (Yellow/Black labels with the little musical notes and "RVG" in deadwax.) They have a very unmistakable, vivid yet "buttery" sound that later reissues don't have.

Hey, I love some Miles a lot. That said, he might be one of the most overrated figures in music. His early bebop lines were not unique but were masterful. The cool was a breakthrough, but became exaggerated in importance. After that he seemed committed to rather an accomplished straight ahead format with the mid 60's ensemble, which pioneered flexible tempo-time configurations. After that it, to my ears, it was all downhill, ending up in the retrograde and predictable form known as fusion. I personally cannot stand fusion, but his seemed even less focused and more haphazard than most.

I like the early Miles, such as Dig, but you're hearing Miles in the process of figuring out who he is, and sometimes he's on, and sometimes he's not so on.

I found Original Jazz Classics pressings of Dig and Green Haze somewhere for not that much money (Ebay?) (meaning $10 - 12 apiece--and this was in the last 6-8 months). Assuming the Japanese pressings are expensive, you might test your reaction with some US pressings. I've generally been happy with the OJC pressings. They're better than the Two-fers that came out in the 70's (which are also not hard to find...disappointing transfers, though).

First their is a special Miles 50th anniversary set out with two CD of "Kind Of Blue" which also has blue LP and booklet.Next check to see the there are a any releases at Acoustic Sounds.Of tree up there "Dig" is OK and worth it for Rollins but least of three.Quintet is great".The Milt Jackson is a must like "Cookin'" and "Relaxin'" etc.I'd only get "With Horns cheap.OK nothing great.Not much bad between different groups 54-59 but avoid "Blue Haze".It sucks.You can just hear they are all to dope sick or high (something that Alfred Lion would never let out of Blue Note but you know old joke "What's difference between a Prestige and Blue Note Date?"Answer "Three days of paid practice").Make sure you have "Bags Groove" as well.There have been some good box sets so get a turntable and look for HQ pressings on wax or originals.I had over past 20 years 5 copies of "Kind Of Blue" including a South African Pressing.Not until current one when they went for 20 bit remastering and finally got speed correct was it any good.But assuming these are good copies you have up there.Need to update some of my Columbia's and getting decent copy "'Round About Midnight" soon.But if I can get a original 6 eye wax slab for less than kings ransom.To me it's his second best.Or top three with "Seven Steps".Remember "Blue Haze"sucks but " is earlier effort that may not show his talent fully matured bu is excellent recording.
Cheers
Chazz

I don't have the Japanese pressing but would bet my bottom dollar it would be better, but I do have the New Mile Davis Quintet and love it. Coltrane, Miles, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones and Red Garland on piano, I think. Excellent album from one of the best quintets ever assembled.