PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
On 'Visions of Miles' the acclaimed pianist and composer Colin Towns turns his attention to the music of Miles Davis' "electric period" of the 1970's and 80's. Performed by the HR Big Band, and recorded live in Frankfurt in June 2008, it includes unique arrangements of material from a number of Miles' most influential albums including "Bitches Brew", "On The Corner" and "Tutu".

In writing the arrangements Towns was presented with a particular challenge in that the themes in Miles 70's music were often very skeletal. However he clearly succeeds in his orchestration of these sometimes sparse materials by judicious use of flutes and bass clarinet, for example, together with virtuosic flights on trumpet and guitar.

By way of contrast, he also adds tunes that are more through composed including music from the Marcus Miller period in the 1980's such as "Full Nelson" and "Tutu". These arrangements add a pleasing variety to an ambitious but very effective take on Miles Davis last creative phase.



REVIEW
'Agharta'.'In a Silent Way' and 'My Man's Gone Now', plus a muscular 'Tutu', make this an absorbing set. -- The Times, (John Bungey), November 21, 2009

(4 stars) Textural variety and raw power.combined with a movie-composer's sense of drama.it must have been a stunning show to witness. -- The Guardian, (John Fordham), November 20, 2009

A pulsating suite that is at once thoroughly Miles-ish and highly original.a great advert for both Davis and contemporary big band. -- Metro, (Robert Shore), November 27, 2009

Towns' writing is highly imaginative.there are some fine soloists in the band.a powerful rhythm section gives the music bite. -- Jazzwise, (Stuart Nicholson), December 2009/January 2010