SOUND CHECK.

THE MILES DAVIS QUINTET: ``The Legendary Prestige Quintet Sessions'' (Prestige/Concord) - Four stars

This four-disc box set compiles music recorded in three sessions between November 1955 and October 1956 by trumpet player Davis, tenor saxophonist John Coltrane, pianist Red Garland, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Philly Joe Jones. The group is arguably the most heralded in jazz history, and this set shows why.

The 32 songs here showcase bebop and hard bop at their finest with remastered classic tracks such as ``My Funny Valentine,'' ``Trane's Blues'' and `` `Round Midnight.'' The highlight, though, is the fourth disc, a previously unreleased 10-track, eight-song romp recorded live on radio and television. Two of the numbers come from ``The Tonight Show With Steve Allen,'' along with two tracks featuring Allen introducing the band and a short interview with Davis.

The well-designed package also includes cover art by Davis, transcriptions of solos and a 40-page booklet with black-and-white photos of the group and liner notes by jazz scholar Bob Blumenthal.

-- Ryan Ritchie

JOHNNY CASH: ``Personal File'' (Columbia Legacy) - Four stars

Forget ``Walk the Line.'' If you're looking to understand the man, pick up this fantastic two-disc set of songs Cash sung - just him and his guitar - in a series of informal, private sessions that predated Rick Rubin's ``American Recordings'' concept by almost 20 years. On these 49 never-heard songs, Cash recalls his childhood, his early performing days and the faith that meant so much to him. The first disc, recorded mostly in 1973, features Cash singing folk songs, contemporary and classic country and some of his own compositions. Often, he introduces the songs with warm, personal remembrances, such as telling the story of singing ``Far Away Places'' in a talent show - the first song he performed ``in front of a critical audience. (``Oh, how critical,'' Cash recalls. He got two votes.) The second disc comprises spirituals recorded between 1973 and 1982, some soothing, some apocalyptic, all revealing his keen interest and understanding of the Bible. The cumulative effect is that of having Cash right in front of you, performing a private, personal concert. Absolutely breathtaking.

-- Glenn Whipp

THE RACONTEURS ``Broken Boy Soldiers'' (Third Man/V2) - Two stars

With his usual band the White Stripes on break, guitarist-singer Jack White now joins up with a group of Midwest musicians for a mildly amusing excursion into classic-rock-tinged garage-pop. Production here is more imaginative than the nearly return-to-mono viewpoint of the Stripes, and White seems free to let his muse roam a bit, but lackluster material is a distraction. Use of backward loops and other effects add a contemporary feel to the title track and the standout ``Store Bought Bones,'' sparked by weird-sounding organ and lunatic slide guitar. Ultimately, ``Broken Boy Soldiers'' is less than the sum of its parts.

-- Fred Shuster

SLAID CLEAVES ``Unsung'' (Rounder) - Three stars

The acclaimed singer-songwriter's fourth album is made up of other composers' work. But you'd hardly notice, as most of the cuts echo Cleaves' knocked-down but wryly resilient worldview and pristine folky arrangements. Plus, when David Olney is your best-known songsmith, it's likely that this is the first time most of us will hear any of these tunes anyway. Still, it would be nice if a rare talent such as Cleaves were a little more prolific with his own brilliant stuff. He performs live at McCabe's in Santa Monica on June 11.

-- Bob Strauss

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(1) no caption (Miles Davis)

(2 -- 5) no caption (CD covers)