Collectible, audiophile pressing! Nefertiti will always be remembered as Miles Davis' final acoustic album recorded with his classic second quintet. It found the quintet shifting its focus towards rhythm and exploratory soundscapes. Davis handed songwriting duties over to his more than capable band members, Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock. This allowed Davis the opportunity to focus on his own playing. The songs sound familiar, rooted in hard bop, but there is slight dissonance that gives way to subconscious impressionism. Shorter's groundbreaking title track - during which the horn section recurrently repeats the melody as drummer Tony Williams and bassist Ron Carter improvise, thus inverting the conventional sense of a rhythm section - showcased the quintet's unity in exploring new directions. The ensemble keeps searching, looking for new ground and moving forward as a committed unit. One of Davis' most quintessential efforts.

• numbered limited edition
• remastered from the original master tapes
• 180 gram double LP pressed at 45 rpm
• music label: Columbia 1967 / Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab 2014

reviewed by Cool Hand 10/2014