MILES DAVIS: HE’S MILES AHEAD ON COMPACT DISCS

Recently, Home Tech examined the surprising absence of compact discs by Frank Sinatra (soon to be corrected by Warner Bros./Reprise Records) and the Beatles. Pop fans aren’t the only ones who complain about too few CDs by favorite artists. But one wonders how many of the complaints are justified after reading in the August issue of Digital Audio & Compact Disc Review that “the (Duke) Ellington offering on CD is as paltry as his influence was great” and then noting that the new summer 1986 edition of the Green Compact Disc catalogue lists nine CDs by the great composer/bandleader. Still, that’s far less than the Duke’s legacy deserves.

But Count Basie fans who’ve just purchased a CD player can rejoice: He’s on at least 26 compact discs. Of course, there are jazz giants who are underrepresented--or un represented--in the CD stalls. But there’s a CD jazz bonanza for trail-blazing trumpeter Miles Davis.

Here are all of the Davis CDs currently available (recent releases noted with a star).

MILES DAVIS “Bags’ Groove.” Prestige FCD 659-7109.

“Bitches Brew.” CBS C2K26.

“Decoy.” CBS CK 38991.

“In a Silent Way.” CBS CK 9875.

“Kind of Blue.” CBS CK 08163.

“Man With the Horn.” CBS CK 36790.

“Sketches of Spain.” CBS CK 08271.

“Someday My Prince Will Come.” Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFCD 828.

“You’re Under Arrest.” CBS CK 40023.

MILES DAVIS QUINTET “Cookin’.” Prestige 636-7094.

“Relaxin’.” Prestige 627-7129.

“Steamin’.” Prestige VDJ-1522.

“Walkin’.” Prestige FCD 671-7076.

“Workin’.” Prestige VDJ-1521.

MILES DAVIS/ART BLAKEY “Nouvelle Vague--Classic French Film Soundtracks.”