Letter 4 Miles is an instrumental track recorded on 30 September 1991, at Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota (two days after Gett Off’s Cousin, the day before the release of Prince and the New Power Generation’s album Diamonds And Pearls and the recording of Do U Wanna Rock?, Sweet Baby and I Pledge Allegiance To Your Love). The track was a tribute to Miles Davis, who had died two days before, although Michael B., who was the only other musician present at the session, wasn’t aware that this was a tribute, and wasn’t aware of the title. Horn overdubs by The Hornheadz were added in February 1992, also at Paisley Park Studios.
The original title of the track (attributed after the recording, according to drummer Michael B.) was Miles Is Not Dead; the original tape gives both titles, with Miles Is Not Dead crossed out and Letter 4 Miles written underneath.
Letter 4 Miles was released in October 2023 as the eighth track of Vault Tracks part 3, one of the discs with previously unreleased tracks included with the Diamonds And Pearls Super Deluxe Edition.
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