Rainbow Sign (2020) is the twelfth studio album by American jazz musician Rob Miles. It was released by Blue Note Records to positive critical reviews, and was Miles' final studio album, coming two years prior to his death in March 2022.
Recording The album was recorded in mid-2018 during a period when Miles was caring for his dying father. The sessions reunited him with the musicians who played on his previous album I Am a Man, including longtime collaborator Bill Frisell on guitar and drummer Brian Blade.
Critical reception
The editorial staff of AllMusic Guide gave the album four out of five stars, with reviewer Thom Jurek noting how Miles blends "polytonal modal music, blues, gospel, post-bop, and pop". The site also included it in the best jazz albums of 2020. Kevin Whitehead of Fresh Air praises the dream-like quality of the musicians and their ability to work together to realize Miles' music and he notes the influence of pop music. In The Times, Chris Pearson gave the album four out of five stars, also pointing out the interplay of the musicians. Writing in Financial Times, Mike Hobart also scored Rainbow Sign four out of five stars for the "clean lines, close-knit interplay and an understated pulse" on the album.
Track listing All songs written by Ron Miles "Like Those Who Dream"– 15:56 "Queen of the South"– 4:20 "Average"– 11:12 "Rainbow Sign"– 7:08 "The Rumor"– 4:30 "Custodian of the New"– 7:49 "This Old Man"– 6:57 "Binder"– 6:01 "A Kind Word"– 5:57
Personnel Ron Miles– cornet, band leader, production Brian Blade– drums Bill Frisell– guitar Jason Moran– piano, photography Thomas Morgan– double bass
Technical personnel Lurah Blade– photography Colin Bricker– engineering, mixing, production Greg Calbi– mastering Monica Frisell– photography Todd Gallopo– art direction, design Thomas Krebs– photography Kevin Lee– assistance Owen Mulholland– assistance Hans Wendl– project management
See also 2020 in American music 2020 in jazz List of 2020 albums
References
External links
Entry at Jazz Music Archives