"Tune Up/When Lights Are Low" from Cookin' with the Miles Davis Quintet is a medley that pairs two contrasting compositions, recorded during the prolific 1956 session at Rudy Van Gelder's studio. The performance opens with Miles Davis's "Tune Up" in B-flat major, a 16-bar form taken at a blazing 315 BPM. Davis solos for seven choruses, followed by John Coltrane for seven choruses and Red Garland for three. The medley then transitions into "When Lights Are Low" by Benny Carter and Spencer Williams, a 32-bar AABA standard in F major at a more relaxed 128 BPM. Davis takes two choruses, Coltrane two, and Garland one and a half. The contrast between the two pieces showcases the quintet's remarkable versatility, moving seamlessly from breakneck speed to a comfortable medium swing. The first Miles Davis Quintet, with Paul Chambers on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums completing the rhythm section, could navigate these tempo extremes without sacrificing musical coherence. The medley format was a common feature of the group's live performances, and its inclusion on this studio date gives the recording the spontaneous quality of a club set. This track demonstrates why this quintet is considered one of the most important small groups in jazz history.
