First released in 1958 by Fontana in Europe and Columbia in America, never had a soundtrack contributed as much to the fame of a film. The contradictory accounts of Miles Davis’ creation of the soundtrack 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 the most iconic soundtracks in our catalogue — and one of the only jazz soundtracks which was entirely improvised.