Seven Steps: The Complete Columbia Recordings of Miles Davis 1963–1964

Seven Steps: The Complete Columbia Recordings of Miles Davis 1963–1964 is a box set of studio and concert recordings by Miles Davis for Columbia Records over a two-year period. It marks the final part of the time of transition between the two so-called "Great Quintet" formations.

Contents

• Disc One
• Disc Two
• Disc Three
• Disc Four
• Disc Five
• Disc Six
• Disc Seven
• Songs
• References

John Coltrane had left the band and Davis searched for a new tenor saxophonist. After dismissing Hank Mobley among others, Davis hired George Coleman; he is featured on the recordings on four of the seven discs. Part of the album Seven Steps to Heaven was recorded in Los Angeles in April 1963 with Victor Feldman on piano, Ron Carter on bass and Frank Butler on drums (disc 1); the other part was recorded a month later in New York, where Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Tony Williams already established the rhythm section of the Second Great Quintet. Coleman quit in spring 1964 and Williams recommended Sam Rivers who then went on tour with the band, in the United States as well as to Japan, where the music on the sixth disc was recorded (Miles in Tokyo). Then finally Davis could poach Wayne Shorter, who was musical director of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers at the time. Miles in Berlin represents the first recording of the Second Great Miles Davis Quintet (disc 7).

Disc 1 and part of disc 2 are the sessions that made up the Seven Steps to Heaven album.

The second half of disc 2 and disc 3 are the concert recordings from the Jazz Festival in Antibes that made up the In Europe album.

Disc 4 and 5 are the sessions that made up the My Funny Valentine and Four & More albums, both recorded in 1964 at the Lincoln Center, New York, on February 12, 1964.

Disc 6 contains the Miles in Tokyo album, with Sam Rivers replacing George Coleman.

Disc 7 contains the album Miles in Berlin, which was previously only available in Germany and Japan.