Box sets

Box sets

MILES DAVIS; "The Complete 'On the Corner' Sessions" (Columbia/Legacy) *** 1/2

In 1972, jazz great Davis released "On the Corner," a decidedly more funk-oriented album than his usual fare. With such session players as Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Dave Lebman, Sonny Fortune, Michael Henderson and Al Foster, Davis experimented with his trumpet, grooves and tape loops. Gleaned from 6 1/2 hours of studio work this six-CD set includes two hours of previously unreleased material, and uncut and unedited masters, featuring "One and One," "Rated X" and the album's title track. The doodles and meanderings will attract fans and jazz enthusiasts, but some of the music flows into the tedious. — Scott Iwasaki

DONALD FAGEN; "Nightly Trilogy" (Reprise) ***

One-half of Steely Dan, Fagen has released three albums in the course of 30 years — 1982's "The Nightfly," 1993's Grammy-nominated "The Kamakiriad" and 2006's Grammy-nominated "Morph the Cat." These three albums have been remastered and re-released for this box set, but this is a MVI box set — video and interactive. In addition to the audio CDs, MVIs can play on any DVD player. Bonus tracks, digital liner notes, photos and videos of Fagen during the making of these albums can be heard, viewed and read. Plus the CD "Trilogy: 10 Extras," with live versions of "Hank's Pad" and "Viva Viva Rock 'N' Roll" and other hard-to-find tracks. — S.I.

ARETHA FRANKLIN; "Rare & Unreleased Recordings From the Golden Reign of the Queen of Soul" (Rhino) ***

This two-disc collection isn't actually a box set, but it does feature the kind of recordings that box sets traditionally contain — demos, outtakes, second takes, single B-sides, etc. Franklin fans will love hearing her unique renditions of "Suzanne," "My Way," "My Cup Runneth Over" and an alternate mix of "Rock Steady," among others. — Chris Hicks

GENESIS; "1983-1998" (Atlantic/Rhino)** 1/2

This is not a complete Genesis set but zeroes in on the band's most popular "power-trio" albums, with accompanying DVDs, and an extra CD/DVD collection of bonus material. "Genesis," "Invisible Touch," "We Can't Dance" (with Phil Collins on vocals) and "Calling All Stations" (Ray Wilson on vocals), along with MTV-aired videos, photo galleries and recent interviews. — S.I.

MERLE HAGGARD; "The Original Outlaw" (Time Life) ***

Haggard (the "Okie From Muskogee") has numerous compilations under his belt. This one is yet another box set, but it's unique thanks to songs culled from every major record label in his 40-plus-year career. The track list doesn't waste any space and gives the listener a heavy dose of Haggard's best-loved songs. — S.I.

EMMYLOU HARRIS; "Songbird: Rare Tracks & Forgotten Gems" (Rhino) ****