The contradictory accounts of Miles Davis’ creation of the soundtrack to Louis Malle’s film noir Ascenseur pour l'Échafaud have all become part of its legend. Rarely has a soundtrack been so decisive. Close to seven decades on, beyond the myth, this taut, feverish recording, imbued with extreme dramatic tension, remains one of Miles’ finest albums — and one of the only jazz soundtracks which was entirely improvised.
Decca France presents this beautiful limited edition re-issue of the original recording, pressed on 180g vinyl and packaged in a deluxe gatefold tip-on jacket with Boris Vian’s original liner notes and Jean-Pierre Leloir’s iconic studio photo of Miles and Jeanne Moreau; included is an insert with an essay on the circumstances that led to this out-of-the ordinary music by Franck Bergerot.