Collectors' Items [LP]

Originally released in 1956, Collectors' Items consists of two studio sessions recorded over roughly three years, with a menagerie of musicians taking part. Because of the amount of time between each session (1953 and 1956), fans will get an intimate peek into the artistic maturation of the esteemed artists who took part in the recordings. Sonny Rollins, Charlie Parker (who recorded under the name 'Charlie Chan' to avoid contractual issues while under a rival label), Paul Chambers, Art Taylor and Tommy Flanagan were just some of the names who joined Davis in the studio. Collectors' Items opens the studio doors to listeners, allowing them to take part in a moment Charlie Parker trying out a new King tenor sax; Miles Davis informally improvising; the band recording 'Round About Midnight' at six PM, due to the studio closing down for the night. Ira Gitler's liner notes recall details like this adding dimension and a context to the album's tracks. This is most definitely a Collectors' Item for any jazz fan.