In A Silent Way

Meh. This made me feel like I was on hold with my insurance company

A masterpiece of creativity; not just the act (all albums do that, I suppose) but the feeling, the process, the thrill. Tune in and tag along as Miles & co head to destinations unknown, laying their tracks as they go, their reach just far enough ahead of their grasp that they don't fall off. Not that the journey feels precipitous, heading for the end of an unfinished bridge, oncmoing train, or slathering mouth of a recently landed outer-space monster. And that's because of THE crucial detail: we're following Miles, who's following his nose, which is the nose of a genius. So unless you're a genius (unlikely, no offense) you ain't felt nothin' like this before.

Miles Davis was smack in the middle of a period of profound transformation musically speaking when In A Silent Way Came Out. Inspired by his young drummer, Tony Williams, Davis was steadily abandoning the advanced harmonic underpinnings of jazz and emphasizing rock and R&B grooves in his music, putting him in the vanguard of the first wave of jazz fusion. The main thing he kept from the 2nd great quintet (Shorter, Williams, Davis, Carter, Hancock) was how the tunes themselves were just templates meant to be fleshed out in performance, and that is the case with a vengeance on In A Silent Way. The first tune, Shhh / Peaceful is 18 minutes and 15 seconds of one chord and a groove. It doesn't get any more basic than that. The only reason it works is because of the musicians: Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul, Tony Williams, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, and Dave Holland are seven of the greatest musicians to ever pick up an instrument. Each one is a monster player, composer, and band leader in his own right. Even so, there is precious little grandstanding on Shhh / Peaceful. Instead, the musicians weave around one another gracefully, painstakingly building the groove and providing peerless atmospherics that, in hindsight, sound almost proto-ambient. It's a little like slowly turning over the Hope diamond watching an ever changing light show through the facets. The other cut, In A Silent Way, starts with John McLaughlin stating the bucolic folk like melody over an open tuning on guitar. Originally, McLaughlin used Zawinul's jazzy chord changes, but Miles kept goading McLaughlin to go simpler, simpler. Finally, almost as a joke, McLaughlin went with an open E major chord and the rest is history. About ten minutes in, the R&B groove of It's About That Time kicks in. The band swings like crazy before ending the album with a reprise of the main theme. It's hard to overstate how successful Davis is here. On his first attempt at a communally based, performance driven, open ended rock and R&B influenced music, he comes up with a stone classic, only equaled and arguably surpassed by Bitches Brew a year later.

This was chill, but not too chill. Jazz fusion wasn't as bad as I expected, and the brass instruments really shone through without having an irritating timbre. Also, the cat really liked it. Curled up like the roundest little cinnamon roll.

This was just 40 minutes of kinda nothing? I have to give it at least 2 because it wasn't outright bad and I could hear there was talent behind it... but 40min of what sounded like an improv jazz interlude was a bit much. 2/5.

This is probably one of the most ignorant things I could ever say but I genuinely reckon that if I knew how to technically play a trumpet then I could do what Miles does here. Inane.

Look, I've listened to this Album on a rainy day, while sipping some red wine and saying words like furthermore and still didn't enjoy it.

Excellent album. Excellent moods. Seamless movement from expression to expression and every instrument contributing in a way that makes them each stand out on their own and yet somehow simultaneously get lost in a blend that is something infinitely more than the sum of those parts. Something approximating the music a rat might hear when they trying cheese and grapes together.

I just can’t do this. Improvisational jazz is the oil to my water. The first couple minutes of In A Silent Way is my favorite part of the album.

Man, this 1001 albums thing is getting me to reconsider jazz. Maybe my mood was right today...on another day I might have complained that essentially they're noodling around a couple of themes for 20 minutes, but the word that kept coming to my mind was CAPTIVATING. Both pieces just evoked certain moods and I found myself transfixed throughout my first listen. Time went by faster than I expected - I was actually surprised each piece was over, even though both clock in at almost 20 minutes (can't believe they recorded this thing in a day). Again, maybe I just caught it on exactly the right day at exactly the right time, but it connected with me. Second listen (a little more background this time - I had work to do!) was just as enjoyable and I was again surprised when it was over. Gotta give it a 5 for that captivating feeling. Wow.

An enthralling listen. Even if you don't know/care about its legendary status as the first jazz-rock fusion album, you will enjoy the music.

2 songs. 38 mins. flex

Another jazz album that shows how little I know about jazz. I'd probably give this a 2.5 if I could. Don't know why, but I found it rather annoying at parts. Sorry jazz fans.

When it locks into a groove, this is fine stuff. But there's too much mumbling around for this to be a fun listen. I always thought Miles was overrated and this does nothing to change my mind.

Ethereal, spare, transcendental. Jazz but not Jazz. Ambient textures, moods over melody. A masterpiece in minimalism that continues to influence. Its ground breaking cut and paste production stitched together by Teo Macero was ahead of its time, much like this album. Bitches Brew would send out musical shockwaves across the world six months later, but all the elements of that record, albeit more restrained, were present here first.

I CUM

I ended up listening to 5 hours of Miles Davis. Smooth music

Nope. While I guess I can appreciate the technical ability on display here, it's not, on any level, an enjoyable listening experience. Both tracks (because there are only two) are repetitive, atonal, empty of melody, and utterly lacking in structure. Saved from a one-star review because the musicianship is good. Too bad they didn't put those skills to better use.

I don’t understand jazz. This sounds like a 40 minute warm up

Bitches Brew might get more of the accolades, but for me, In A Silent Way is top. …and by the way, should you ever find yourself about to make an absurd claim for the entire world to see, like this one… “I genuinely reckon that if I knew how to technically play a trumpet then I could do what Miles does here” …do yourself a favor, take Miles Davis’ advice and find a way to express that “in a silent way”.

This album sounds like "hold music?" Y'know, I don't very much like to make commentary on other people's reviews. I mean, I don't think anyone's here for that, and I'd rather focus on trying to express my own opinions than spend my time having a one-sided debate or argument with someone else's. Absolutely, honestly, it'd be a waste of review to do that. But, like... The top-rated review of this album is a 2-outta-5 calling it hold music. And enough people, who knows how many, agreed with it to make it the top-rated review. Frankly, I don't know what insurance companies these people are getting stuck on hold with if anything on this album sounds like hold music. Not a single instance that reminded me of Kenny G, anywhere. I mean, most hold music isn't made to be anything more than pleasant-enough background music to keep your ear occupied while you wait six hours. To suggest that this album is as mild and unadventurous as that is an insult — in fact, it seems to land on exactly the opposite of this album's mission. Now, look, I was negative years old in 1969. Heck, **my parents** weren't even born yet, I'm sure. I can't exactly remark on the controversy this album stirred up in the jazz scene, but just knowing that it was controversial... I mean, I can't say I can't hear it. This is some adventurous jazz fusion. I mean, electric piano like this? I can't recall the last time I heard something like that on a jazz album — and it's great. Especially on "In A Silent Way"; that song's downright pretty. And the thing is, these are long songs — this album's two long, and they both approach 20 minutes — but they're never boring songs. Really, they both fit into the two ways I figure makes a perfect jazz album. These songs are a journey-and-a-half hearing where they go next, so, hey, if you're into listening to jazz for its complexities, it's no THE SHAPE OF JAZZ TO COME, but it'll still be right up your alley. By that same token, they're, yes, pleasant to listen to; to get lost in — so if you're into jazz for a good atmosphere, absolutely, you'll love this. I mean, there's no shame in that sort of thing — let's just not add on the extra disqualifier that they're meant to be ignored, because they absolutely aren't. The album's a big ol' 5 from me. Like, put aside any rebuttals I have against randos for their opinions — which, let's be clear, are absolutely valid, no matter what I think. It's just an incredible work. I'm thinking back to every instrumental jazz album I've heard before, from Frank Zappa's to the stuff I've discovered on this list, and I can't think of one I liked better than this. Maybe ELLINGTON AT NEWPORT for "Diminuendo And Crescendo In Blue", but even there I'd call it a pretty close tie. It's just... Oof, way. Immaculate. And not even in a very loud way. Goodness. I mean, seriously, if I called the bank and they served me up either of these songs as hold music... Well, it'd probably sound like ass comin' out of whatever machine they play hold music on, but still, y'know? I'd hardly complain.

Do I have to do this? Yes, I will do this. This is the album that changed my life, and that still surprises me anew every so often. Of the many things I have learnt (thus far) from In A Silent Way, the most influential was the presence of the edit as a live instrument. The raw material was recorded in a three hour session; Miles and Macero did not rearrange it as much as reconceptualize it, conjuring something that clearly belonged to the source but said something different altogether. One gets the sense of working through a maze in the dark: there is a destination, but experimentation, muscle memory and optimism are the only things that can take you to that end point. It is an exaggeration to say that if I had to chose my Desert Island Discs, I'd take eight copies of this one. But I would be quite happy with this alone, should it come to it.

This is a beautiful, dreamy album. It's one of his first forays in jazz fusion and it's a winner. I've listened to it enough times to know that this Aussie gives it five bags of Pods out of five.

Miles the Magnificent

...I somehow thought this would be boring. Amazing!!! I feel like I'm listening to Pink Floyd for the first time again. That trumpet is godly. I get why people like Jazz now. SO MUCH SOUL IN THIS. Had me grinning like a maniac.

I am not well versed in music theory, or any of that kind of smart music. That being said, there are several jazz albums that I really like, and In A Silent Way is one of them. There's something so lively about the music and perfect about this album that fails to come through on a lot of other jazz "classics" in my opinion. While the mix isn't perfect, it makes the songs feel more lived in if that makes any sense at all. I want to liken it to a hole in the wall that you find walking downtown and enter the most beautiful jazz club with the best jazz you've ever heard. The gut reaction is to live in that moment and take it all in, but since its a live jazz improvisation, you want to get a recording of it, so you put your phone down on the table to maybe capture some of the magic of the moment. Words are difficult. I really enjoyed this jazz album, and I hope you do too. Highlights: 1, and 2.

Wow, this album is stellar. Two tracks, the musicians all seem so in-tune with each other, but it all feels so relaxed and original. (This list is really getting me into Miles I guess?) 4.5/5

Very Jazz. Really enjoyed it. Great background music whilst I work. Must revisit. It was a soundscape.

A hypnotic album that sits at the end of one era and the beginning of the next, while remaining its own thing.

This album is a fun, immersive listen and exactly what I’m looking for when I want to dive into jazz. It’s smooth, atmospheric, and effortlessly cool, with a laid-back vibe that draws you in. Miles Davis and his band create a soundscape that feels both easygoing and adventurous. Perfect for getting lost in.

If there’s any artist that isn’t built for this challenge, for a “first, quick listen” it’s Miles. Dylan, Prince and Bowie qualify too, and they all have one thing in common: a long and illustrious recording career, but a sense, sometimes a passion, to reject following a creative path expected of them by fans and/or their record label. True artists with a “I don’t give a fuck” personality that is driven to follow their personal muse, even if it meant commercial pain. In all these cases it’s led to some transcendent work, multiple times over the course of their careers. Miles is probably the gold standard of this approach, literally changing the course of Jazz at least half a dozen times over his lifetime, almost to the point I was intimidated about diving deep into his discography…it was almost too overwhelming. Then I saw this Netflix documentary, and it changed everything for me. I “got” Miles, and it really opened a doorway into his music and more. A year in and I’m still discovering SO many special moments in his music, and I haven’t even gotten past his mid-fifties output, he was so prodigious. So the 4-rating is simply that I need more time to dive into this masterpiece from his Electric Era. I’m patient: the joys to be gained from getting to know his art is more than worth it 🍷🍷🍷

Wow. I listen to some jazz now and then and have a couple of Miles's albums (Kind of Blue and Sketches of Spain), but I had not heard this album. I have missed out! I would probably rather listen to this than Kind of Blue, and given the accolades that album gets, that's saying a lot. I listened to it three times today. The playing is tight but not showy, and everything fits together really well. This album might not get the same mainstream attention, but it’s easily one of his most compelling.

5/5. don’t make me choose between the two tracks.

Незвичний музичний формат, але тим і прекрасний.

Amazing album, a great first foray into “electric” music for Miles. This album and the later “tribute to Jack Johnson” are both great examples of this rock leaning era of Miles. I really enjoy it, but it’s not for everyone. Took me a few listens back in the day to get it. I do think it's fairly accessible, if you look at it as a proto funk album and less as a jazz album. Still, a great album overall.

Okay, you guys did this on purpose, somehow, didn't you? My last album was The Message (extended)-Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, and I argued that is not an album and therefore couldn't recieve a 5 because it only has 5 songs and is 35 minutes long which is barely enough to be an album, and this comes up with 2 fucking songs at 38 minutes, and I was considering giving it a 5, but my former decision gives me pause.

Exactly what I needed today. And probably tomorrow.

In a Silent Way is Miles Davis' most underrated album. Most people point to Kind of Blue or Bitches Brew but for me this is his best album by far. Although it contains only two songs (both made up of two parts each, so actually four) but they are filled to the brim with some of his best playing, ideas and composing. Additionally, he changed his sound into a more Psychedelic Jazz-Fusion style and got new artists into his band to roll out that new sound. One of them is the legendary John McLaughlin but also people like Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Joe Zawinful and Wayne Shorter meaning this thing is an absolute powerhouse. And they created an absolute masterpiece that blends Jazz Fusion with a very atmospheric and often dark sound that still has a lot of diversity and as well as soothing and mellow passages. The album starts with 'Shhh / Peaceful' which takes up the first half with around 18 minutes of playtime and brings in a mix of the established Modal Jazz sound he's been doing for a decade together with the new Fusion ideas as well as a bit of Avant-Garde playing here and there. On top of that it all follows the very Cool Jazz additude that makes his career and playing so poignant in the first place. The track starts with the sound of an Organ around which more and more instruments get together and just play a ton of lovely melodies and ideas around a certain theme. It just flows from one instrument taking mainstage presence into the next with all of them feeling like they work together beautifully. Sometimes a little bit weird or Avant-Garde but this is Jazz of course it'll be a little bit weird here and there and this is really not that strong here which is a good thing because I think that too much Avant-Garde would disembody the atmospheric nature of the track. After certain ideas are established and the guitar takes the the centre together with the electric piano, the song really starts with the psychedelic influences and creates a beautifully hypnotizing effect that pretty much lasts for the entire duration of the song. There are such beautiful moments woven into all of it that it not only makes a perfect night time album but often just a great album to appreciate the calm moments of life. And everytime Miles Davis returns with a beautiful trumpet improv it really filps everything over and shows a new side of the song but in a different light and angle. And the song goes back and forth it returns in a split of a moment back to the theme at the start and again gives same ideas a different light with the same atmosphere but all different and with even more psychedelic sounds until it returns to the start once again and let's Miles himself finish this song by building some intense tension that is released slowly by a more and more quiet playing from everyone. This entire song is simply perfect! The second side starts with the title track 'In a Silent Way / It's About That Time' of which that first part is composed by Joe Zawinful which plays out very calm, nearly Ambient but full of beauty especially with the guitar that transitions into Miles' trumpet. I think that this guitar/trumpet part right here at the start sounds exactly like the album cover art looks like. After this "intro" it suddenly changes its pace very fast and turns into a more energetic and more Avant-Garde playing that with the Jazz-Funk influences feels totally different than the start of the track. After it calms down and settles into a more atmospheric sound which is still more energetic than the title part, it again turns into a calm and hypnotic listen that beautifully transitions between the different instruments and playstyles including a wonderful guitar passage that very much embodies this first wave of Miles' Jazz Fusion adventures. But of course the sax, the pianos, the organ, the rhythm section and Miles Davis all do a wonderful of giving this part incredible life and love that really pays off with the way it's structured and flows from part to part. And although I still love this part, it is definitely the weakest on the album. It then transitions back into the Ambient beauty of the title part with less rhythm, mainly driven by the piano, organ, guitar and the trumpet to finish the track which again, is absolutely beautiful and definitely a perfect song as a whole. favourites: Shhh / Peaceful, In a Silent Way / It's About That Time least favourites: none (If I had to choose a part: It's About That Time) Rating: decent to strong 10 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes

Going into this album preemptively knowing everything I did about Miles Davis, this album was pretty much exactly what I expected. There was only 1 thing about this that subverted my expectations; I loved it. The idea of listening to two 20 minute long instrumental experimental jazz songs was daunting, but wow it was great. Somehow it manages to remain interesting all the way through and keep my attention without being annoying or repetitive. I also love how immersive this album feels, there are very few albums out there where I can just sit down and listen to them, I almost always have to be doing something, even if it's small. But with this, the music is so immersive that I can literally just sit down and listen to it and not feel the need to distract myself with anything. Which is especially impressive considering that this is also in instrumental album.

5.0 - If “In A Silent Way" sounds like the onset of sweet slumber, "Bitches' Brew" is your feverish nightmare. I hear many similarities between the two records - the echoey trumpet, the interplay between electric organ and guitar, the approach to composition involving the stitching together of recordings from different sessions. Whereas BB rejoices in chaotic explosions and jagged textures, "In A Silent Way" floats in a gentle and hushed dreamscape.

Sometimes my favorite MD album, always reveals new and interesting elements with each new listen. Until yesterday Bitch's Brew was new to me but not new to me because In a Silent Way is an old favorite cloth. Bitches Brew might be more ambitious and more varied but I still prefer In a Silent Way for its more consistent mood and its the beautiful atmosphere it creates in each song. No brainer; 5

Life is a river, and you can either yield to the currents or kick against it. Miles knows that, and finds that by yielding to the currents you wind up down all manner of tributaries you never expected to go down, and drift past sights you’d never have the time to notice if you’re kicking. And anyway, you all end up at the same place downriver anyway. It’s the journey isn’t it? Suffice to say, I loved it.

Nutty album. Low 5 from me

Hard mot to enjoy Miles. This is pretty much a slight exploration album - and isa nice listen - especially as background,

Track one is a really pleasant listen but didn't hook me, but the second track blew me away! Will be putting it on regularly.

I can dig it. Some parts are a little too jazz noodling for me but I absolutely loved In a Silent Way. Cool guy.

I can tell that this was when Miles Davis changed direction and experimented, as it is a little clunky in some respects, but you do have to remind yourself that this sound was still from the 60's and does sound way ahead it's time. Its not an easy listen but you can tell from this he would go on and improve this kind of sound to greater things in later material. The man was a genius.

Jazz init

If peeing your pants is cool, consider me Miles Davis.

Absolutely sublime, one of the finest jazz fusion albums of all time. Miles and his band lay down rock-solid grooves and absolutely tasty jazz jams all throughout. Excellent nocturnal listen, and one I'll be spinning fairly regularly any time.

Fantastic listen that I was surprised by. I also was genuinely sad whenever each song ended. I think that qualifies as a 5-star album.

the last dregs of The Cool quietly petering out over the night horizon, bound to make way for the chaos of the day. every time i listen to him, i am astounded how much Davis packed into each composition and how he got the right performers for the job almost every single time. i mean, this is THE "first" jazz fusion record, or the first one everyone knew. the idea of someone codifying a genre that would come to be the main sound of jazz some cold February night stuns me. i do wish they'd done a bit more with "It's About That Time", but otherwise, this is nigh perfect music.

I am a trumpet player. I play jazz as apart of a bunch of my college assessment tasks. Miles Davis is my favourite trumpet player (i know, basic pick for someone's who's played for 8 years now haha). Somehow i've never heard of this album before, so yeah. Brilliant. As soon as I saw it was a 2 track album I knew I was in for a delight. I love jazz fusion, and I never knew Davis did an Jazz Fusion album, though knowing his stuff from the 90's, why am I not surprised at all. Having Hancock and Corea on piano OOOOOOOOOOOOo just incredible stuff. Sadly don't know the other players on this album :( I need this on vinyl.

great

Only two songs but I'm going to play this at my next dinner party.

i mean, it makes you feel cool, what more can i ask?

"If peeing your pants is cool then consider me Miles Davis"

Heady, beautiful

Strong medicine to change my mood and level my heartbeat. I often put this on while my students work.

What do you think of when you hear the genre "Jazz Fusion" mentioned? ***** I open my eyes, and I'm either in Dentist's office, or a suburban "jazz"bar. I see framed dorm-room posters of Billie Holiday, for that college freshman who was too cool for the Bob Marley and Pink Floyd posters. I hear music in the distance. It's smooth, but that's not exactly the right word...it's more slimy...or moist. Eww. And, is that a horn? No, it can't be. I swear that's coming from the keyboards. I hear an electric guitar, but they removed everything cool about it, and it's impossibly lame and limp. Where is this music coming from? I turn the corner and...oh god. Oh god no. I see...Kenny G! That's when I wake up. Thank god, it was just a nightmare. ****** Smooth Jazz and the hacky crackers that have perpetrated this musical travesty have piled dogshit over the legacy of musical visionaries like Miles Davis. Jazz Fusion is not a bad word. Forget all the negative connotations you may have about this genre. It's okay, you're safe now. Shhh, Peaceful. Miles Davis went electric in the late 60s. John Coltrane had passed away, and he was listening to Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, and Sly and the Family Stone. He got a new group together that could bring his new direction in jazz to life. Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock on electric piano, Joe Zawinul on organ, Wayne Shorter on sax, John McLaughlin on guitar, Dave Holland on bass, Tony Williams on drums. This is the first of a string of records that Miles Davis recorded with producer Teo Macero. The record is 2 tracks, but these tracks are comprised of multiple jam sessions edited and spliced together masterfully by Macero and Davis. The music blends together so perfectly that it feels like no editing was needed. The music flows by in this ethereal way that's calming yet exciting. Jazz Fusion by definition is Jazz with different genres thrown in the mix. Miles would fuse Jazz with Rock, Funk and Psychedelia on future records. What genre did he fuse to Jazz on this record? I honestly don't know. That's what's so special about it. It's hard to pin down what's going on here, it just sounds good. It's complex but it isn't challenging. You can just lay back, and ease into this sweet dream of a record.

All time classic from Miles' big group experimental phase. Loads of interesting layers and improvisation.

To me, 'In A Silent Way' was always the more accessible and easy-to-grasp precursor to the balls-out and batshit insane 'Bitches Brew'. Both records are a part of Miles' best era (in my opinion), his fusion era, and both do an excellent job of throwing the listener into these very moody and carefully constructed soundscapes. You feel trapped in their respective bodies, like you've been hypnotized or put under some spell when listening to these albums. Overall, 'In A Silent Way' is much shorter than 'Bitches Brew', and the fusions here, primarily in John McLaughlin's gutiar, are less aggressive, and more welcoming and complementary to the rest of the band. That's only helped by the slew of shimmering keys hovering over the opener 'Shhh/Peaceful' and the groovier bass part of the title track, which establishes one of the catchiest and most earwormy motifs from any Miles Davis record, period. Miles' playing, especially during the harder part of the title track, is some of the most dynamic I've heard from him (which is saying a lot), mainly in the way it increases in fury as the bass goes into that impeccable groove and the drums kick in. There is a lot of passion behind each note, but the same can be said about just about any other player here. Even with all that aside, though, I think this album's always been a landmark release in "moody" music. I mean it's often considered to contain one of the first instances of "ambient" music - but I'd argue Miles Davis' ambient magnum opus is 'He Loved Him Madly' off of 'Get Up With It'. As soon as you click play on this thing, it becomes apparent that there is this unsettling edge underlying many of these movements. Maybe it's Miles himself looking borderline petrified on this album cover, maybe it's the way the organ goes slightly off-key as a drone increases in volume for a few seconds near the 5-minute mark of the title-track, maybe it's that same drone hovering over the ambient dips bookending the title track, or maybe it's that haunting organ chord that comes out of nowhere on 'Shhh/Peaceful', completely halting the band's momentum, just for them to continue playing like nothing happened. To me, this album feels like a band trying their best to play as straight as possible, all the while there's something genuinely frightening lurking about. That's always been my read on this whole thing, at least, as ignorant as it may be towards Miles' artistic intent. It's not all "dark", though, the opening ambient portion of the title-track with the trumpet, keys, and guitar is heavenly and so damn far ahead-of-its-time that I refuse to believe it was recorded in '69. This album rules and you know that. 'nough said.

Really great instrumentation with two lively tracks.

Listened while studying, time flied.

I've been critical before of this list choice of jazz. Not here. It's hard to be critical if Miles freakin Davis. 9/10

Two songs but a flawless album

Less silent than I recall. It would be so cool to hear Miles play with the current crop of people making varied ambient music, esp out of the folk scene

This project is making me wish I knew more about jazz. Partly because I've been enjoying the jazz albums a lot more than I thought I would, but also so I can work out why I have close to zero tolerance for extended rock noodling (Deep Purple's live album really tested my patience), but unexpectedly loved In a Silent Way, which has only two tracks but lasts nearly 40 minutes.

My memory of Miles Davis of course begins with Kind of Blue. I certainly hope that is on the list.

Another classic from the king of jazz. I love how introspective and brooding this one is.

Almost perfect album still not my favourite miles album tho 9/10 Favourite: In a Silent Way Least Favourite: None

One of my favourite jazz albums ever, and definitely my favourite from Davis. It captures so many different vibes, it's cool and laid back, but can change to exciting and adventurous in a minute or so. The origin for jazz fusion is right here and it's proof of Davis being a true artist in his willingness to evolve and expand not only his own styles, but the medium as a whole. It sounds like a better future and one we've yet to reach. 13/04/25

Feels Like a combination of a mid-night car ride in the 80s and a bad soft porn conversation

Great study/work album

10/10

Sometimes I forget how much I love Miles Davis. I think this is one of the best albums by possibly the most important musician of the last century.

Wow

Mysterious, calming, hypnotic, melodic, emotional, and beautiful. Every single musician on this record does exactly what they’re supposed to do (including Wayne Shorter, who becomes one of like, four people to ever make the soprano saxophone sound good). Probably my third favorite Miles record. Simply remarkable. 5/5

SO GOOD

So chill and peaceful

I forgot this album existed. I used to listen to it all the time and think it's one of my favourite Miles Davis albums. Sure there are other cools ones like Bitches Brew and the Spain one. And then there's the classic Kind of Blue. But something about this one is much more accessible but also has that cool factor. You can just let it play in the background and it doesn't make you work for anything, or perk your senses if you don't want it to.

This stuff was actually amazing. I mean classic extraordinary Miles Davis right here. Partially inventing and pioneering an entire genre and absolutely cooking while doing so. This man was barely human. The only slight to this record is its format as two 20 minute songs makes it kinda hard to return to and enjoy casually. Amazing music though regardless. And also can we talk about how amazing the album cover is. I was leaning more towards a 4 but I think that album art pushes it to the 5 it truly deserves.

Such a relaxing listen, giving this a 5 even if it's not something I'd have on heavy rotation, definitely needs a particular mood to listen to it, but love the fusion of Jazz/Rock, whole thing feels like it was improvised on the spot, great musicianship

Loved this too. Maybe not as much as 'kind of blue' but if that's a 7 then this is still a 5 for me.

It's about the notes you don't play And the words you don't say

Цей альбом Майлза часто називають jazz fusion і відбувається так через те, що на ньому повно експериментів з електричним звучанням. Проте чи можна це назвати «джазом» в повній мірі? На момент виходу цього альбому, джаз як жанр вже втратив у популярності, в світі панувала «психоделія», а Девіс, ніби як повністю, вичерпав увесь свій минулий потенціал, та вже був неймовірно впливовим джазовим музикантом (чого тільки вартий Kind Of Blue з яким ми ще ознайомимось в рамках цієї серії). Тим не менш, іти «спочивати» він не збирався. Він вирішив ще більше експериментувати із електричним звучанням, та «поглиблюватись» в рок музику. Вершиною цього, трохи пізніше, стане альбом Bitches Brew, що буде значно більш потужним у порівнянні із минулою творчістю Девіса. In A Silent Way, в свою чергу, став тим самим «перехідним» альбомом, що вже істотно відійшов від джазових канонів 50-х, але втім ще і не був рок музикою. Натомість, в цьому «хиткому балансі» і є його привабливість. Саме через своє стримані, чарівні мелодії, що до речі гарно підкреслює назва альбому, його і полюбили безліч молодих фанатів джазової музики. Ну а щодо гри інших музикантів, то тут нема що і казати - це віртуозна та дбайливо сконструйована музика яку можна слухати безліч разів підряд і вона вам ніколи не набридне. Справжній шедевр який був створений в ідеальний для нього час. До прослуховування - обовʼязково.

Love it! Another re-discovery.

Ooh this is a special one. I’ve listened to it casually a bunch in the past and it works very well in the background because the music is soothing and restrained. Giving it a closer listen today was nice. The style is jazz played as laidback, dreamy funk. The bass definitely has a funky vibe at least. The rest of the music has an air of mystery and mysticism. Apparently there are three players on electric piano (and organ) on this album? Wow. That mystical sound is very full and rich, and that’s why. John McLaughlin’s guitar solos are a highlight. He’s an incredibly skilled guitarist, and his playing here is technically impressive but also sort of subtle. Like every other instrument here, his guitar sounds very organic in the mix. Wayne Shorter on sax is also wonderful. I’ve heard him absolutely shred on other albums but he’s less flashy here. Lovely solos, inventive but restrained. Miles seems like the one player who really lets loose a bit. His solos leap out a bit more than the others, which is a cool effect given the calm mood of most of the music. I love how the drums on the first half of the album are basically just open hi-hat. It gives the music a very distinct vibe, somewhere between relaxed and on edge.

I read an article about how listening to improvisational jazz can help reduce anxiety and help mental health . thanks miles!

Probably my second or third favorite Miles Davis album behind A Kind of Blue an possibly On the Corner (the latter is a recent discovery for me, but I love it) 10 ★★★★★

Modal jazz is one of my favourite styles of jazz. Love this!

Love this album! I liked the way all the instruments blended together within the sections of the pieces. I will definitely be listening to more of his work.

Perfect jazz fusion, well ahead of its time. When do we get Weather Report?

This is a beautiful little album, although I think I like the second track a little less. That being said, I regret not giving "Kind of Blue" five stars, so this album gets them in its stead (not that it wasn't close on it's own).

mayb my favorite miles at this point, but i need to give him a lot more time as i always kind of neglected him in favor of coltrane lol. but this is a perfect pair of tracks with unbelievable symmetry despite their lack of overt structure...shhhh peaceful winds up spacey tension for a longgg time in a way that kinda foreshadows pharaoh's dance, the ambient stylings treated with those beautifully spicy jazzy chords to create one of the most mysterious pieces of music im personally aware of. the title track then im only now realizing is one of my absolute favorite songs Period, bookended by a "theme" section so gorgeous it feels like the universe is opening its arms to me. in the middle , the harmonic ideas melt into something more straightforwardly beautiful and comforting, before an absolutely amazing cloudy groove slowly tightens the song to prepare for the unbelievably cathartic release back into the closing theme. incredibly rewarding album, immensely moving, its shooting way way up in my personal canon

Adore this album

Masterful playing, interesting throughout, the tracks change and morph while keeping the same theme. Wonderful.

In the calm winter months before the summer of love broke loose, Miles and a crack squad of some incredibly talented musicians got together to reivent cool again. Jazz had a more swung feel in the 50's and 60's and needed some progressive elements to allow it to grow otherwise it would die. A tremendous emphasis on rythmn and the additions of electronic instruments with unique dissonance allows this album to to really stand on its own (for 1969). Without the contributions of Herbie, Miles, Zawinal, and Chick Corea we may never have lived in a time where Jazz was of this caliber and sound. In a Silent way was the mold for progression in jazz, and Bitches Brew one year later broke the mold again. This was one of my first albums into jazz I dabbled with. I fell in love so early with this album. Fan for life. P.s. check out the "Complete In A Silent Way Sessions". Shits twice as long with so many little off shoots and melodies where this masterclass of musicianship and improv just went buck wild.

I couldn't believe it at first but this album is absolutely phenomenal, it has captured me in such a way that it automatically elevates every activity I did while listening to these 2 peculiar tracks that are featured in "In a Silent Way". Truthfully, I really disliked it at first and thought it was entirely disjointed and music for nerds. I'm not a stranger to jazz but are familiar with more classical jazz standards. As the second track was well underway, I couldn't stop vibing with this esoteric but yet groovy tune. Instruments come and go with a subtle finesse and sharing a space among each other. After my second listen, I was entirely sold on this otherworldly music that feels like traveling between planes of existence. An interdimensional traffic jam that suddenly ended in a dark gloomy hallway where you stare back at your figure. There are plenty of details and subtle changes to explore. Each musical idea and phrase that suddenly emerges always feels like a warm embrace that washes over your body. This sounds absolutely pretentious but these 2 tracks shift a lot and you never quite know where you stand until everybody locks in a recognizable groove. It's really sublime but may be a hard recommend for someone who doesn't like this type of free form jazz that may feel bereft of clear structures on a first listen.

For as long as I live, I'll never understand why some people just don't like jazz.