Miles Davis: The Bootleg Series

Recently Legacy issued the first installment of Miles Davis, The Bootleg Series: Miles Davis Quintet Live In Europe 1967. This is the legendary band with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter and Tony Williams. The set captures the unit in performances from Antwerp, Copenhagen and Paris. The sound is acceptable period "mono field recording" quality which is rendered irrelevant by the performances. This band was at an apex no other quintet before or since has equaled. Take Wayne Shorter's "Footprints". This composition receives 4 treatments (including a scorching rendition from a Stockholm performance on the accompanying DVD). The arrangement is fairly set in stone, and just when you think Davis, Shorter and Hancock have plumbed all that can be each rises to the occasion with deeper introspection, especially Davis who at this time is telegraphing a new direction for his voice he would soon dive deeply into beginning with "Filles de Killimanjaro". for me, this set is absolutely essential and bodes well for what is to come. I am REALLY REALLY PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE hoping there is more in the can of the band Miles had for 18 months from '74-'76 that featured guitarists Pete Cosey and Reggie Lucas, percussionist Mtume, Sonny Fortune on flute and sax, Al Foster on drums and Michael Henderson on bass guitar. I saw this band in 1975 at the legendary Paul's Mall in Copley Square Boston for 4 sets over 2 nights. This was "On The Corner" attitude. The band gathers onstage, hanging out and tuning up, then Miles saunters out like he's crossing the street smoking a cigarette. He stops and all of a sudden jerks his head at the audience, puts on a look of "what th'?", raises his right hand, executes a finger snap and the band kicks in like they've been on pause...Blam! Miles was having fun, especially with Pete Cosey. During one set Miles was at the end of a butt and walks over to Pete's station, offers the smoking stick, Pete stops playing and gives 2 thumbs down while sticking out his tongue in disgust, Miles doubles over in hysterics. This band has been documented well in the studio on "The Complete On The Corner Sessions" where Miles and gang were inventing "Black Rock". The live albums "Agharta" and "Pangea", recorded on one day of a tour in Japan (Agharta in the afternoon and Pangea in the evening) have yet to receive the reissue treatment they deserve which sparks my little rant of earlier. Hey Michael Cuscuna! Is more there and when can we hear it?