Even only moderately obsessive Miles Davis fans may have excellent live versions, from the same era, of the tracks on this album. His sets, and their attendant releases, from 63/64/65 invariably contained wonderful versions of the songs making up the heart of this release: Autumn Leaves, So What, Stella by Starlight, and Walkin'.

This fact should do little to diminish interest in or excitement about Monterey Jazz Festival Live 1963, one of the first offerings from MJF RECORDS, an imprint run in partnership between Concord Music Group and the Monterey Jazz Festival.

The reasons to embrace this release range from the mundane to the magnificent:

• Part of a series of classic recordings never before issued. Recorded live at the Monterey Jazz Festival on September 22, 1963, this set has languished in the archives. Consumer interest will invariably lead to more releases;
• Profits from the sale the recordings in this series will fund jazz education programs supported by Monterey Jazz. That's a better piracy-deterrent than copy-protection any day;
• A cool cover - makes me long for a vinyl copy!
• Historical context: jazz was changing and so was Miles' band...within months of this show saxophonist George Coleman would be replaced by Wayne Shorter and a powerhouse version of the 60s Quintet would come to life, rounded out by Miles, Herbie Hancock (piano), Ron Carter (bass) and Tony Williams (drums). These musicians have remained at the vanguard of jazz since;
• The sound quality of this release is stunning, even on MP3. This is a very well-mixed and mastered release, capturing lush tones and a fine spacial balance between the musicians. Wear headphones;
• Oh yes, the music...the versions of the songs...a rocking So What, fragile Stella by Starlight and my personal highlight, a just-shy-of-13-minute Walkin', included below.

So don't scoff at this release, even if your library already includes Four & More, Highlights from the Plugged Nickel, or Miles in Berlin, all with similar track listings. It's jazz - and it's Miles - so it's about that night, that version, that moment in time. And what a moment in time it was.