I purchased this album earlier this week and am more than impressed with what I hear. This is Miles at his best, not only playing music from the Jazz repertoire, but also tackling popular songs that people wouldn't necessarily have down as Jazz at all, for instance Bye Bye Blackbird.
Although I wouldn't say Round About Midnight was my favourite Miles album, it is of an excellent standard and features fine solos from all musicians. It is not only an album worthy of any collection, but is particularly important to lovers of John Coltrane who will appreciate the difference between the saxophonist's playing on these tracks and later ones recorded with Miles' Band. Trane has not quite yet created a completely individual way of phrasing like that heard on Kind of Blue and Milestones, but shows more obviously the influences of Charlie Parker and Dexter Gordon.
The leader himself is in superb form, displaying the characteristic tone with which most Jazz lovers are familiar. With his intimate sound quality, Miles remains one of the wonders of Jazz, and I believe that his playing could melt even the hardest of hearts, regardless of whether the listener was a Jazz-fan or not.
The reason why I give this four stars as opposed to five is because I would not say rush out and buy it before getting what I think is Miles best album "Kind of Blue". However if you already own the latter and like what you hear then get this one as well. You will not be dissapointed at all.