Reviews (page 4 of 14)
Miles Davis is an amazing horn player. Simple but true. The depth of his playing was sublime.
First time I ever sat and listened to a jazz album straight thru. Not anti- instrumental jazz, just more of a classic rock gal. That said - holy hell, what an album.
I really like this album. It’s not as substantial as Bitches Brew, but it’s pretty close to as important and you can see the progression. In some ways I like it more. I can see a connection between this album and late Talk Talk into post rock, Tortoise, etc. It’s smaller in scope and edits are rough. But it’s got some really good stuff going on. I keep bouncing between a 4 and 5. Rounding up to a 5. On the grand scheme of things this is so big.
Chill. Instantly recognized as Miles Davis.
Love the vibes from this a lot. Very chillaxed and serene. While it sounds kinda same-y it still manages to be interesting. Playing is great as well. Good for background music. Liked this one a lot!
5/5. Just innovative and unique, trying stuff out, expanding the realm of what jazz could be. There seems to be a conversation, between diverse groups of people and still co-mingling. There's just so much happening in these two songs. Quiet and tapping at pandora's box, wanting to let it out but just playing with it. In the end, it's just a great album, switching between jazz and rock with such ease.
A great album start to finish.
Loved it!
This is probably my favorite kind of jazz. There's just the right amount of everything here and every instrument is played perfectly.
I’ve listened to over 100 albums at this point. And although there haven’t been that many, the one constant factor throughout everything is that I have not heard a single jazz album I didn’t love. My English teacher called it “pretentious”, but I couldn’t disagree more. It is consistently one of the most fun, innovative, intense, and emotive forms of music there is. And In a Silent Way, one of Miles Davis’ many exceptional achievements, might just be the finest piece of jazz music I’ve ever heard. Composed of just two songs, one being 20 minutes long, the other being nearly there, it is jazz fusion pushed to the highest level of quality. And that fusion really comes into play, because although the foundational elements at play here are rather standard for jazz, the star of the show is John McLaughlin and his guitar. It completely changes the atmosphere, and pushes this record to the level of greatness that it’s at. But the whole band is absolutely stellar. I think the title Shh / Peaceful perfectly incapsulates what feels so extraordinary about this. It’s calm and serene. There is no biting intensity. It is just simply existing. Like the essence of life personified into music. The second song ramps things up slightly, but not so much where it completely destroys the vibe the band had built. Davis was by and large one of the greatest, if not the greatest jazz musicians of all time. Both a master of his own instrument and a master at creating balance in a group of other massively talented musicians. Rating: 10/10
african
This is the sort of thing I appreciate about having undertaken a project like this one. An opportunity to go a little more off the obvious path (Kind of Blue, Bitch’s Brew) and get into a less familiar album by a massively influential artist. It’s kind of amazing people would consider this album controversial when you consider how influential it feels. Maybe sort of like Dylan goes electric. Whatever the case, this solidifies that Miles was so much more than what he is commonly known for.
If only 2 tracks on the entire album, it is a masterclass work by Miles Davis! Impressive work of the time. This is supposedly a fusion work but I feel like it's more jazz than anything else. I enjoyed listening to the entire record. It was flowing and relaxing while bright and dynamic all at the same time.
I'm a big fan of Miles. This is a great record. Honestly, people can prefer various eras of Miles, but as a body of work, it's amazing. Outrageous that this recording is entirely from a SINGLE THREE HOUR SESSION. Unbelievable.
Dhhrjd
really really good jazz, not boring, but subtle. the cover fits the music quite well
I don't DISLIKE jazz, I just don't know if I get it HOWEVER, this album chilled me right out, calmed me and gave me early Santana stoner rock vibes. LOVED IT. dimmed the lights, fed some cool blue LED into the room and soaked it in. I can't pretend I understand the structuring any more than I ever did, but those are some cats baby, and I feel cooler after hanging out with them
5*
The BEST!
un de mes prefs - Y’a de là MD pour les taspé
Rating: 10/10 Masterpiece. Beautiful. Transcendent. Meditative. Mindblowing jazz album that keeps delivering. Miles Davis is a genius, knowing when to supplement the gorgeous instrumentals (guitar, drums, and bass) and when to shine with his trumpet. The trumpet tone on this album is fantastic, rather than blaring on some of his other albums. One of the best albums I've heard so far.
Amazing. I listened to it fully about 4 times.
I could listen to this all day
awesome perfect
Love, love, love this album! It took me back to living in Houston and working in the Galleria high-rise. My office had a huge window and I would listen to smooth jazz radio and watch the traffic back up. This album is very relaxing.
Beautiful record. Miles Davis is timeless.
the older i get the more i like Jazz
Jazz-rock at its finest. Also, if there was a list of best late night albums, this one would be one of the top albums on it.
I feel like Carrie Mathison
Seminal classic of jazz fusion. A masterpiece.
Great, meditational
The best of background music
Un album d'une grande beauté.
During my late teenage years, I was blessed with the opportunity to join a jazz orchestra. Each Saturday, I would catch the bus, unpack my case and try to hit the harmony lines. It was good fun: the bandleader was charismatic, my band members were encouraging, the tunes were exciting. But the real joy came at solo time. The soloists would have come up with new lines, new melodies, and explored new thoughts during the week. The real beauty came when they started going down a new pathway for the first time during practice. We could see and hear creation before us. On this album, we not only hear Miles Davis, arguably the most gifted jazz musician of all time, explore new territory, but are also blessed with other giants of the genre sniffing at the boundaries. And not just one at a time, but all together, foraging here and there, leading each other on, responding, riding the drift of each other's thoughts. It's thrilling.
How can you give less than five stars to a great album of a legendary artist?
Simple and beautiful
A delightful listen. It was a great spread of jazz songs all packed into 2 20 minute beasts.
Excellent! I will listen to more jazz/jazz-fusion
Amazing. Starts upbeat and fast then transitions to so slow, relaxed and smooth. Honestly a masterpiece and makes me want to get into jazz a ton more
Very nice
Sublime, carries you away and takes you places unexpected.
Miles always get a 5* from me <3
Near perfect. Great as background or close listening. Just awesome
Gorgeous
This really blew me away. I've only listened to Miles Davis' most well known albums; Birth of the Cool, So What, Bitches Brew, etc. But hadn't gotten around to this one yet. The playing and the grooves are fantastic on this, I can see why it's so well regarded. It's a very obvious precursor to the very improvisational Bitches Brew too. Really makes me want to check out more of Dave Holland and Chick Corea's solo work as well.
Gorgeous
The Stooges to Bitches Brew's Iggy Pop. Herbie Hancock and Wayne shorter still shine through Davis' unbothered experimentation. Great introduction album for musically oriented non-jazz folk. Just a shame I cant list shining track because of the recording structure.
Star ratings suck
2 songs. Most would call that a 7", but not in the Jazz world. Two of the most mellow and calming jazz tracks to ever be recorded. Well, probably not, but I'm not a huge fan of jazz, and this just hit the spot while doing the dishes (usually an anger-inducing task for me).
Sonically adventurous album. Like the reissue with extra tracks.
This will be an interesting journey.
Only two long tracks.
Enjoyed the jazz
A good album. Puts me in a meditational state. First electric jazz considerer fusion album by one of the greatest musical pioneers.
Miles was a poet who was a head of his time
i mean the man invented jazz, what more do you want?
Amazing jazz album. Miles had such a way of making technically complex jazz actually really fun to listen to.
Really good
This made it to my library. I enjoyed this
super chill and enjoyable
Wonderful!
Very peaceful perfect for morning coffee and for the evening
The genius of Miles Davis cannot be adequately described with words. He's just so uniquely... Miles. He elevates the players around him. This was his first venture into more psychedelic jazz fusion sounds. The guitar playing of John McLaughlin particularly stands out to me here. Excellent record.
Amazing
The king of cool.
Another master piece by Miles Davis. The space and nostalgia expressed over these two songs is captivating. Miles and co take the listener through an interesting mellow journey for over 30 minutes. Sublime work! Also, is it only me but this album serves as the preamble for Bitches Brew?
Groovy and rich
Phenomenal music, brilliant melding of new and old technology by a master. 5 stars.
Excellent, very interesting, beautiful sound
It's a 2 song album. And it's awesome.
overall rating: 10/10 favourite song: in a silent way ( 10/10 ) runner up favourite: shh / peaceful ( 10/10 ) album cover: 10/10 vocals: N/A /10 instrumentals: 10/10 would i recommend ? : immediately told my mum about this other: the fact this album has literally two songs and that’s it is making me laugh so much. i absolutely love this album it sounds awesome.
In my memory this was a clear 5-star Miles Davis album. Still liked the album of course - after all, it was a major influence on Laughing Stock, one of the best albums ever - but it took a while before I was convinced again. score: 9/10
I have a slight preference for Bitches Brew that came out less than a year later, but this is nevertheless another great Miles Davis album.
Smooth creative loved it
Holy fuck. Favorite Miles record now.
Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul, Tony Williams, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, and Dave Holland are the CSNY of jazz. Despite the gigaton of talent, nobody shows off - and that's kind of the point. So many of the conventions of jazz thrown out the window, just absolute pros at the top of their game given the freedom to lock into a groove with one another and make something extraordinary. This is the epitome of "you gotta know all the rules before you can break em." This first track is literally just one chord and it's electrifying. The title track for me starts to really get exciting around just after the 11 minute mark. A masterclass in minimalism, tone, and sharing the stage. Controversially I enjoy this more than Bitches Brew!
Great early electric Miles. I listened to this yesterday, after not hearing it for years and my takeaway is this could be the greatest jazz-rock jam session ever. Miles surrounded himself with amazing talent. Tony Williams (who recruited many of the other guys), Herbie Hancock, Chick Cores, Wayne Shorter, John McLaughlin, Joe Zawinul and Dave Holland are as good as it gets and Davis gets tremendous mileage from these young players.
i feel like I'm in the most musically-savvy spy movie ever whenever I listen to this album it's so so good. top 3 miles davis for me
Maan I should listen to more jazz WHAT an experience...
Even as an avid jazz listener, I wanted to not like this so badly when I saw it was a 2 song album. Alas, Miles Davis delivers again.
Magical
In A Silent Way is one of the best work by Miles Davis and a standout album of 1969. This music is hypnotic and soothing all the way through.
Absolutely stunning
Absolute gold. Still fresh.
Loaded cast. Tight setlist. The album that helped usher in jazz fusion. Hell yes
I now feel obligated to listen to this album while studying and doing homework
Lovely. Jazz trumpet sound. Good to hear some of miles David earlier work
Great balance; it wasn't all about Miles, which was refreshing. There were long sections where there was no trumpet at all, and other times when an instrument kicked in and you couldn't tell right away if it was Shorter on Soprano Sax or Davie on a high muted trumpet. Very cool effect.
Love Miles Davis but have never been a super fan of his electric stuff. But, this is really good. The band is basically the who’s who of electric/fusion jazz
Ethereal, evocative, atmospheric, and perfect.
I don't need to say that this album is great. That it's influential. That it's one of Miles Davis's finest moments, an essential part of the greatest career in jazz music, and maybe all of music in general. That's taken as a given for anybody who knows anything about jazz. All I really have to add is that, while In A Silent Way's more mellow and structured tone than Bitches Brew (as well as its comparative brevity) have led many to claim its superiority, I think that Bitches Brew is a better record in almost every way, and that the moments I appreciated most on Silent Way were the moments where I could see glimpses of where Miles, John McLaughlin, Wayne Shorter, Joe Zawinul, Herbie Hancock, etc. were all going in the future. And for most, that means the moments most reminiscent of Bitches Brew. Both records are wonderful, and it's a joy to bear aural witness to some of the greatest jazz musicians of all time doing their thing in such new and interesting ways. I will probably have to say most of this again if we get to Bitches Brew, but I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get there. Favorite Tracks: both of them 5/5
I love the mood he creates here, especially on the title track. It sets the template for his working style going forward through the 70s creating albums from editing extended jams. Although Bitches Brew gets the lion's share of attention from this era, I find this album to be largely more listenable.
Just give it the 5 stars already!
merde... un chef d'oeuvre. Quel Album ! 5+++
Un increíble trabajo de Jazz con tintes de rock y psicodelia. Se nota bastante el año en el que salió, pero no envejeció para nada mal. Muy sólido y un infaltable del catálogo de Miles Davis.
Funky, smooth, loved it
easy 10, masterpiece
Good vibes, really enjoy the usage of electric piano and Chick Corea's playing
"In a Silent Way" is a studio album by American trumpeter, composer and bandleader Miles Davis. It was recordered in one NYC studio session with producer Ted Macero and marked the beginning of Davis' electric period. Tge album was his first fusion record (jazz and rock) which initially arose controversy with some critics questioning his experimental music structure. Retrospectively, many consider it among his best works. His band was former members and members he added as the music was developing and included Wayne Shorter (soprano sax), Dave Holland (bass), Chick Correa (electric piano), Tony Williams (drums), Herbie Hancock (electric piano), Josef Zawinul (organ, piano) and John McLaughlin (guitar). The album is two songs with three parts each, thought of as a exposition, development and recapitulation structure. The side one song is "Shhh"/"Peaceful." The first "Shhh" starts out with a droning organ transitioning to drums. Keys, organ and a pyschedelic guitar. The trumpet comes in and we're off. The second part "Peaceful" has more emphasis on trumpet and sax. A faster pace with the drums and experimental piano. The last part "Shhh" ends it with a Kaleidoscope of piano and organ. Side two is "In a Silent Way"/"It's About That Time." "In a Silent Way" is slower, gentler with keys and soulful horns. The percussions kick up "It's About That Time" and I'm hearing a Carribean/rhumba beat of sorts. Soulful organ this time. A noticeable bass starts and, ok, here's that rock beat. The last part "In a Silent Way" closes the album out slower and somewhat melancholy. I am no way a historical or jazz/rock expert to join in any conversation in the rock/fusion controversy. I do know that I really enjoyed this album. Expert musicians showing their talents and taking turns on lead. My favorite jazz albums are when I hear that. The album is smooth and flows nicely with that song structure. I would expect most jazz fans to like this album quite a bit.
Love this album but it was definitely an aquired taste for me. I had it in high school and didn’t like it much when I first got it. I really dig the hypnotic repetition in the rhythm section and the space in “shh/ peaceful” now but wasn’t into it then. I love the effect when we finally hear the full snare and ride during Miles’ solo 13 minutes into “ in a silent way.” Really cool textures and interplay with the organ/ electric piano and guitar throughout. Really love Wayne Shorter’s playing too. Very influential album but there’s nothing really like it. 5
Wow. I love Miles Davis but I never really got to listen to his electronic era until now. This album blew me away. To me this is Kind of Blue with a fusion twist while still maintaining the essence of what kind of blue is. I am in love with this album. This makes me want to listen to Bitches Brew now. Favorite Song - I think I preferred the first half more Least Favorite Song - none, I felt like both songs are one large song No Skip Album? - Yes
5/5 just for the bass grooves and buildup that hit intermittently. So good.
My favorite not live release of the electric/fusion period. This is considered Miles' first fusion album, he had been headed that way for a minute adding electric instrumentation to Miles in the SKy and Filles de Kilimanjaro. Even further Sorcerer and Nefertiti had shown a shift from modal music to a more moody groovy music. In many ways, Nefertiti feels like Silent Way. The biggest difference not just being the augmentation of acoustic instruments but the addition of the work of Teo Macero. The music begins to be composed after the studio work is done... having many takes cut together to form a new composition different then even the free flowing takes in the studio. This would not only be a big deal in the music Miles would make for the rest of the seventies, but in music in general. It is a piece of the puzzle that became EDM and Hip Hop. @jamieanderson1968 says the Laswell work is sacrilege to some, but I think it shows that he understood what this was. Panthalassa is worth a listen and a fitting tribute to this period of not only intense experimentation in the music, but in how it was released. This is not only just a masterpiece but one that still challenges musicians today to do better. A top notch band expanding the possibilities of the music and a top notch production that expands what music actually is. This album is a vibe.
Epické. Velice. Uklidňující, ale zároveň vás to nutí myslet 10/10
An amazing album, although it can be hard to stay focused and not fall into the chill grooves and just relax while it's playing. Miles with some of my favorite accompanists, including John McGloughlin and Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea. Improvisational jazz isn't always my jam, especially when it's as intellectual as this album is, but there is no denying the musical talent and the moments of pathos carry the day for me. 5/5
A masterpiece is not defined as a masterpiece by mistake.
Masterful.
Wasn’t sure about listening to another Jazz fusion album, as although I respect bitches brew personally I find it a really hard listen. This was much more accessible, great album feels parts of the guitar on the second song remind me a bit of mogawi so clearly years ahead of it’s time, this is now probably my second favourite miles Davis album after kind of blue.
Listened to this before. Marvelous. Packed full of overdubs yet never feeling overly busy. Comforting and calming yet challenging and fascinating in equal measure. I can't get into the nitty-gritty of every little musical touch and I get how some might find it boring, but I love this. I could put it on any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
I really enjoyed the astral feel the keys brought the album. i’m not a big jazz fan, but this is top notch smooth. In a silent way starts in a completely different genre until the keys come in. very blues-y with a modern feel. this album feels timeless.
Fantastic, I bopped for awhile
Was going to write a long review for this but I can not be assed. This album is a masterpiece with an insane spacey atmosphere, like bitches brew but more intense with less repetition and drawn out moments although those are still on this album on the title track. Miles is a top 3 musician 9.4/10
The first 10 or so seconds of this album has got to be up there as far as any 10-second stretches in music go. John McLaughlin's guitar tone on this album is one of my favorites of all time too, but somehow what holds everything down for me perfectly on "Shhh / Peaceful" is the perfect simplicity of Tony Williams' drums. I don't think there's a single snare hit the entire 18 minutes, just the ever-present, ever-modulating open/closed hi-hat. I don't know exactly who's responsible for the electric piano at what points, but Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Joe Zawinul is quite the stable to pull from. This is one of my all-time favorite albums, the Miles album I've spent the most time with to this point, and it presages so much other music I love dearly, like Can's Future Days, the later-period Talk Talk albums, and some of Brian Eno's later "rock" albums like Another Green World and Before and After Science. But this one stands perfectly on its own as well.
Wonderful, relaxing
Bom álbum de jazz.
Beautiful
I like it better than Bitches Brew tbh
Ya god 10/10
Super, dodałem do stworzonej playlisty "1001"
This album is a vibe. Listened maybe 5-6 during work yesterday. Soothing and entrancing. LOVE this. 9/10
Best to let it grow on you, it has the story and atmosphere of a dark, rainy and empty street world. The second song hit perfectly and summarised the entire journey
Absolutely loved this... So very nice to listen to on the drive...
Own on Vinyl
Rainy night, chill-and-sip-on-a-cocktail jazz. Setting aside the historical importance of this album (jazz purists hated it, not just because of its use of electric instruments, but because of the cut-and-paste work Teo Macero did in the editing room), it's just beautiful. Today, people call this proto-ambient. Whatever you want to call it, it's great. Some on this website have complained that this album is like 40 minutes of nothing happening, which is a fair point. In fact, it's THE point. And either you dig it or you don't. I do. There are other albums by other artists that try this. Sometimes it works. Mostly it doesn't. Considering how many guys are playing on here (eight, including three keyboardists) it's a wonder they don't trip over each other. Be careful, though! This album could be a gateway drug to Miles' fusion period! It was for me, and his albums from this period are among my favorites of any artist. I return to them as often as I re-listen to The Beatles. If you're interested in more stuff like this, I got you. While most of his fusion records are way more energetic (and out there) than this one, he does have the occasional track that matches In a Silent Way's chill intensity. Check out his cover of David Crosby's "Guinevere," and also the 1974 track "He Loved Him Madly." Both songs are like 20+ minutes and would make for a great play list with In a Silent Way.
Very bold, modern Miles, but more meditative than angry. A beautiful and important work.
just great. i’ll always appreciate some miles davis, especially on a weekend album when i had time to really sit with it
This album is so good, and it seems so wild to me now that it was so controversial when it came out. Pushed the boundaries for sure. Just a beautiful album that lives in perfect harmony with aspects of jazz and rock improvisation. The electric instrumentation sounds phenomenal.
Amazing ambience music for chillin' like a villain or simply writing.
Really good
You can't go wrong with Miles. Sheesh. It's snowing up here in Chicago, so this was perfect to listen to while I was cooking.
If Miles was the only musical artist to have ever existed, I'd be okay with that.
Mr. Davis proves, in ways not so silent, just how many Miles ahead he always was.
This was really nice background music for basically anything. I was initially worried about the length of what was essentially a two track album, but I was pleasantly surprised by the evolving and changing nature of the songs. Both songs were over 15 minutes long but they never got boring to me. A wonderful foray into early jazz-rock. Favourite: In A Silent Way
I like this!
A wall of sound. More funk than jazz. A hell of a listen, that will always remain a masterpiece.
Really nice jazz sound. I would definitely recommend anybody listen to this
Probably my favorite jazz album on the list, so I'm just gonna go ahead and give it a 5
Jazz de Miles Davis. Vinilo.
beautiful album.
I'm in favor of most jazz most of the time, and I really have been enjoying hearing from this 60s-70s era where historically, rock would've been in the process of completely overtaking the airwaves, and so the jazz artists start getting up to even more ambitious experiments. YES, I like jam music, YES I like prog,
I felt like I was being folded into the sound
I love this album. big step forward in sound by going electric. Lots of fun technicality and overall very ethereal vibe. just a quintessential album in jazz
Ne brojim više koliko puta sam si pustio ovaj album prije spavanja da zaspem u miru.
Never thought I'd get moved again in such a way by an album. Absolute masterpiece.
Two tracks, 40 minutes, kind of perfect.
much better
excellent - timeless jazz classic. I love it, but am biased.
There is before In a silent way where your mind doesn't drift into the Smokey haze of an underground speakeasy dimly lit, the occasional clink of a glass from the bar behind you, and then there is after In a silent way where you are now cooler just from having been blessed by his majesty. Would most certainly listen to this again favourite tracks - Shhh (Reprise) and It's About That Time
Is this really jazz? This is too good.
o cara é um mestre não adianta
I like it, I don't know how much to give it though. I think a 5/5 for the sake of being nice. But I I only recently got into jazz a little bit so ya know what? 5/5
Very atmospheric - wonderful sonic quality - quite meditative.
My favourite jazz album of all time!
um dos meus preferidos dele
Bitches Brew's quieter older brother. I love this album through and through; one of my all time favorites.
I think this is the Best Miles so far. Simple and clean
abi super
it’s hard to choose, but I think I’d have to say my favorite jazz musician is Miles Davis from Kind of Blue to Bitches Brew, there’s just no beating a discography like that always inventive, always mature, Miles Davis pioneered so much and did it the best this album, like every other one I’ve heard from him is a 10/10
Miles Davis is a legendary Jazz musician. The albums "Kind of Blue" and "Bitches Brew" are among the greatest jazz albums there is. In a silent way almost reaches the same greatness. It's a solid 5/5.
Love this so much!
Only got into MD about 5 years ago. At entry I only knew the reputation of "Blue" and "Bitches". Both are great however THIS is the apex of everything he did. Its hard to describe the feels it gives me. Outstanding. Moody, cool, understated, essential. FIVE.
I'm a sucker for ambient and jazz. This is it.
Was not expecting to like this as much as I did. This was such a chill mood album. Only two songs deep but both are excellent, listened several times over. 5 stars!
91/100: Mesmerizing. Transcending. Ethereal. This album is more than just jazz, at times it even feels to be more than just music. I've never heard music like this. I've never felt this way while listening to music. I found it impossible to pin down all the genres present as inspiration in this album, yet at the same time it all sounded so familiar—perhaps universal. To me, that's why this album shakes me to my core. This is the type of album you would put on a golden record to introduce extraterrestrial beings to the concept of music as we humans understand it. I will be buying this on vinyl and playing it all of the time.
Amazing chill
Haven't yet managed to get on board with Bitches Brew, but my tastes have developed since I last listened to it, so we'll see. Anyway this seems a great bridge to it, it is exactly the kind of thing I like right now, gentle waves of groove, that don't even necessarily have to be going anywhere. Have just been listening back to NEU! on its 50th anniversary, there are strong shades of this that have carried across to some of their work, particularly the second track. Great multi-purpose music. You can have it on in the background, or you can stick the headphones on and surrender yourself and drift away on its tides.
beautiful jazz I haven't heard before
Wow… moving and emotional. This is a Miles Davis record in name only. Looking at the personnel on this record is like a who's-who of some of the best Jazz musicians around. Wayne Shorter – tenor saxophone John McLaughlin – electric guitar Chick Corea – electric piano Herbie Hancock – electric piano Joe Zawinul – electric piano, organ Dave Holland – double bass Tony Williams – drums I get the critiques of Miles' avant-garde and fusion styles, but this album is just beautiful music. 5/5.
Liked that it was literally just 2 20 minute songs
Really unlike anything else you'll ever hear, just amazing
The first song feels pretty energetic and enthralling. The second track starts and ends with more serene, peaceful sections, while the middle portion feels a lot more like the first song. Overall, the album was very entertaining, and is the first real jazz album I've listened to.
Proto-punk classic. Search and destroy is the best track.
I mean it’s miles Davis man cmon
Interesting to feel different emotions in just two longer tracks.
Feels like 40 minutes of straight improv. So well done. Buy on Vinyl.
Ooo yeah, it's jazz time
Best ever !
Never heard this album before. I've mostly heard his earlier stuff. I love this.
10/10 perfection
The older I get, the more love I have for this album. It seems to be of a place and no place simultaneously. Fully leaving post-bop behind but not yet caught up in the funky, mythical and mystical chaos of Bitches Brew, In a Silent Way seems like a transitional effort. But it isn't, it's it's own thing; it's own special oasis. To me, this is the perfect Miles Davis album. Just short of forty minutes, two tracks that just whisks you into its orbit and a bonafide classic album cover on top of it. A relentless, endless cool that still radiates to this day. Yet another defining touchstone and turning point in the jazz genre, of course one of many and not the last.
Very glad I got this. Really need to familiarise myself with jazz more and this was the next album on my list. Shh/Peaceful is a track with real purpose and groove that builds and holds the listeners attention even over its runtime. What I find very clever is how minimal each instrument is but they are all played with a lot of purpose and they work really well together. No one instrument is ever played in a way that crowds out the others or played in a strained way which gives the track a really relaxed feel. The drumming is a real highlight for me. In a silent way is another very chilled track which once again utilises simplicity and repetition to give the song purpose and momentum. It builds to these grand moments where all of the instruments come together over a catchy keboard section. Davis builds the tenion excellently with the trumpet between these moments which are used sparingly to keep to listener wanting more. I also like the way the track begins with this quiet section and then returns to it at the end. It gives the feeling that this buzz of the main part of the track comes and goes but the listener is left with the peace of their own mind. That said I'm not as in love with the beginning/end section as the rest of the song as it is verging on aimlessness but I think it serves enough of a purpose that I'll forgive it. I'm really not a jazz person but this gripped me in a way I've never had in the genre before so much so I had go listen to it again straight away. A perfect album for a lazy morning or a quiet evening, it has a real aura of tranquility and mindfulness. Every note seems intentional and in harmony with eachother and I can see the real development into Jazz fusion with the rest of the band being just as crucial as Davis himself. Will definitely be coming back to this and seeing how it grows on me. 4.5
I liked it
Really enjoyed the amazing line-up of personnel on this album. I had no idea so many great players were on here...and in 1969!
I can separate the art from the artist enough to call Miles what he was- the GOAT. This is just one of many excellent works he conceived. A
Miles Davis created so many of the all-time greatest jazz records and had so many different approaches. In a Silent Way is another one of those, standing alongside Birth of the Cool, Kind of Blue, Bitches Brew, and the underrated Dark Magus as masterpieces.
Such a great album. Love the emotions in it. My first one here, and off to a great start!
Ohhh hell yeah.. The band he assembled for this album is unreal, Mclauglin, Shorter, Corea, Hancock, Zawinul... Given the talent in the room it's amazing how space is left for each other and how they weave in and out. I love it.
It's hard to say a lot about something that's perfect. It just sits there and overwhelms you with its quality and you can't help but be in awe. Miles Davis is one of those genius creators who's made multiple perfect pieces, this being just one of them. Loved every second of this album.
The whole fusion jazz style can be a bit challenging for me, especially on the first listen of a track. I found the two tracks on the album quite palatable from the get-go though. I can totally see me putting this one on again in the future and getting to know it even better.
Beautiful and mesmerizing. Each time it ended, I just wanted it to start over again. That happened four times.
This is my second Miles Davis album and I really enjoyed it. Been listening to it off and on all day and it is really wonderful. Turns out a little jazz is a great addition to my life!
-amazing instrumentals and Davis is outstanding on the trumpet -fav song: both
EASY 5++++. Spiritual.
Wantlist
One word: Beautiful
My copy is a bit worn out, isn't it? I might prefer On A Corner, but this is still ace. Nothing I could say about it that hasn't been said before.
Spacey organ piano trumpet mishmash. A trippy sound and Miles Davis classic. Interesting electronic vibe.
Masterpiece. Loved this bad boy for years. I used to drive the wife crazy by singing along to all the instrumental lines.
I never feel up to the task writing down my thoughts about giant albums like this. What can I say that’s not already been said? In cases like this, I just stay away from all reviews and scribble down my disjointed thoughts as I listen. This album is a music painting. I can hear the colors. The sounds are stroke patterns and wet paint, layer by layer, from the undefined center to the consummate edges.
Miles Davis, a name associated with jazz greatness even via hearsay puts all rumors to rest here. Truth be told, this is more than jazz. Sure, the elements of jazz are here but this is somehow more. Jazz is highly specific in the type of fan it garners, but "In A Silent Way" seems to reach beyond that. Jazz tends to get lost on most people, this reviewer included, but where this album shines is that there is a constant guide through both tracks that helps maintain bearings. While not the repetitive grandeur of Ravel's "Bolero", "In A Silent Way" keeps to a formula and builds on it layer after layer after layer giving this album a newness at each depth worth exploring over and over.
Jazz de Miles Davis. Vinilo.
Oh, this is lush! I could listen to this looped all day. Love those repetitive bass lines that come in and just get everything grooving. Reminds me of afrobeat, a little. Fave track - The "It's About That Time" section of track 2 SLAPS.
Very nice. One of my favorites
Magnificent fusion jazz album. Very atmospheric, music speaks for itself, the reflective melancholic vibe comes through 100%. Miles Davis being genius as always.
Big Miles Davis fan. I don't listen to him as much as I should. It's funny how in jazz an album with just two tracks is regarded highly whereas in rock it's regarded as pretentious. Anyway, "In A Silent Way" is always a good one. I like how each piece gets their chance to shine. It's nice to hear the guitar in there along with sax and trumpet. A classic for me.
This is not only one of my favorite Jazz albums but is up there as one of my favorite albums of all time. The mood that is created from the opening organ to the final notes on side two takes me somewhere that I cannot put into words. I say Jazz album because that's how it is categorized (or as fusion) but it's a different entity altogether. I find it unfortunate that this album is usually shadowed by Bitches Brew which follows mainly because it's more experimental and is generally regarded as a landmark in fusion but this album seems to have come from another world or another time. You don't know if it's the future or the distant past because at the same time it sounds timeless. I think 10, 100, 500 years this album continue to amaze people with it's beauty, subtly, and gentleness.
I love the first song
Bitches Brew gets a lot of acclaim, but this transition album sees the advent of fusion. Here we can see the development from modal jazz forms to include more blues, funk, and even some rock elements. This album is also more accessible.
A beautiful album.
Can’t go wrong with any of this. Driving, chilling, working, eating, partying, unwinding. It’s always a good time to put on Miles.
Two tracks totalling 38 minutes or so. Both beautiful, varied, lush and full of energy. Never heard these pieces before, and loved listening to them. Highly recommended
nice.... this is so easy to listen to, makes me understand Miles Davis as a thing, so many of his "top hits" are pretty esoteric to come into cold not having heard his foundational stuff. Really happy to be made aware of this one!!!
This album cover must be where Wilf Zaha got his famous pained expression from. the one that says, i'm hurt and innocent and i can't believe someone would do that to me because i'm a saint. the album is more berbatov than wilf zaha. smooth, a bit weird and smoking a cigarello. just like berbatov i like this album more than zaha
Really vibey. I got lost in the middle of the songs because they were so great, but the ends of the songs were pretty boring
Shhhhhhhhhhhh Quiet jazz for when you don’t want to be loud Shhhhhhhhhhhhh
Like a soundtrack to the best neo noir film never made.
Cool jazz!
Masterpiece!
Sat afternoon chill crossword
Cracker
Beautiful, an album uniquely it's own. Yet another reason for why Miles Davis is such a musical icon
Vibey.
Ничего не понял, но очень классно
The album one would listen during a lonesome walk through a crisply lit alley
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 stars
Awesome jazz album! Only two tracks, which is pretty wild. Highly recommend
So beautiful
Wow! This, I really like. Great ambient music. Played this constantly all day, and despite the repetitive riffs, it never bores - always something new going on behind it. My only disappointment is not being able to make out John McLaughlin's guitar at all over the whole album. One of the greatest ever, and I can't hear him at all! Otherwise, flawless. Just wonderful.
Miles Davis' work is always intriguing to me, and I'm so glad I was introduced to this album. He was always evolving and experimenting, maintaining his artistry at each step. What a treasure.
I find it difficult to write about jazz because the whole world of it seems so untouchable, so magnificent that mere words cannot describe the blood, sweat, and tears put into the records around this time. Miles Davis is, of course, a household name in this regard. His work can be appreciated around the world, and this is an album for the books. It's so simple, yet so much is happening underneath the surface, it's surreal. I can't not call it perfection. Miles Davis is a master of sound. What more can I say?
A masterpiece! Entrancing, intoxicating grooves
One of the best albums in this list. Great performance, fantastic songs and an important shift in music for Miles Davis and Jazz Music as a whole.
To sanger på ~20 minutter hver? Elsk! Det er lite variasjon på denne plata, men hvert spor baserer seg på enkle idéer som blir utviklet etterhvert som tiden går, og det er spennende å høre hvordan instrumentene hopper rundt den samme idéen. Alle instrumentene får tid til å skinne, elsker hvordan de komplimenterer hverandre gjennom små licks og call/responses. Dette er virkelig musikk som man virkelig må lytte til. Fikk en mye bedre opplevelse av å fokusere på musikken, fremfor å ha den på i bakgrunnen.
Two songs, too good. Generational talent.
moody great rainy day album
Good
Pushing the boundaries of Jazz but still accessible. Mind blowing. There's only two tracks so for this one I only chose one. Best Tracks: Shhh/Peaceful
Was a little confused when it was 30+ minutes but only two songs. Then I listened and was straight vibin
Lovely and relaxing, o my had ever listened to kind of blue
There was nothing I didn't like, fantastic vibes
Miles! MILES!!
damn good
Infelizmente não consigo ouvir o gênero sem tratá-lo como música ambiente. MAS É UMA BAITA MÚSICA AMBIENTE!!
I LOVE ELECTRIC MILES! The music feels like drugs without the drugs. This period always feels fresh and exciting no matter how many times you listen.
Increíble
perfect
Ambiance jazz music for days
Very nice tunes, special for letting the mind go
The LP mixes are lo g but very worth it. Contemplating putting on my playlist
Magnificent. So chilled!
Sooo good
Only two songs, but amazing. The sections weave seamlessly together.
Good solid jazz listen.
incredible
Esse cara é foda.
Hjkk
Finally, another jazz album, and one that I dearly love. Miles Davis never ceases to amaze me with the diversity of approaches to jazz that he was able to master 5/5
Perfect Sunday morning vibes. What a joy
A legendary jazz record
I usually stay away from Davis's free jazz period (or indeed, just about any free jazz) but I'm glad I took a chance on this one. John McClaughlin and Chick Corea do a great job of keeping everything on track and providing a great background for the solos.
Very pleasant jazz album
Super relaxing music to have on in the background.
mochte ich, ist aber ne gute "nebenher" musik um parallel zu arbeiten
That’s pretty good. Inventive, varied, cool but punchy. Both tracks are a treat. Would go back to this anytime.
i like i like
Oooh, that's good! Not an album I'd heard before today. Will hear it alot from now on though. Very evocative
Overall: 7/10 This is my first Miles Davis album, and I was pretty excited since he's considered one of the all time great jazz musicians, and jazz is a genre I'm still dipping my toes into. Imagine my surprise when I heard a lot of rock influences on this. I guess it's jazz fusion, which I wasn't dven aware was something Miles had dabbled in. I found it very relaxing and interesting to listen to. I'd give it a higher rating, but I zoned out a bit more than I'd like to admit. The talent is there, but this isn't something I'm gonna revisit very often, if at all. Fav Song: In a Silent Way
Great balance between accessibility and complexity. It's super easy to throw on and enjoy at any time, but at the same time offers some great composition skills, amazing instrumentation and very interesting compositions. Something is constantly happening and I love that. Way better than Kind of Blue.
This is a jazz album that is 38 minutes with only 2 songs haha. I listened on my way to the beach for 4th of July with my friends. This type of jazz was very calm and the trumpet was excellent. I will say it was a little understimulating to my brain though, which maybe was the point? I think the album was supposed to be peaceful. You really can’t give a jazz album under 4 stars but for this one it just didn’t quite hit 5 for me.
Pues muy bien
Has some jams in it but also sometimes drones on Will I listen to again: 75%
7+ / 10
I enjoyed this quite a bit. I'm not sure if my enjoyment of jazz in general is there to give it the full five. I probably need to give this a few more listens.
Miles 4/5
This just moves, the expressions, the spaces left, the gentleness of the playing, the soundscape it produces, It could have just continued on and would have been happy. don’t know much in regard to the music theory, can understand that he was moving from hard bop into more rock and rnb arrangements, and had one hell of a lineup to do it, and it’s funny reading about how it was considered controversial at the time, the electric betrayal and to dare studio editing. It’s just great music at the end of the day. 4.5 Star
nothing mind blowing but the music just oozes a sense of familiarity even on first listens. i expect this to grown more with time; there's a reason why this is an all-timer. H7.
chill album, perfect as background music while studying or just to relax.
i don’t really listen to jazz instrumental but this is pretty cool. even though it’s only two songs, it sorta feels like a bunch of mini songs. there’s very much a very balanced rise and fall (not in a negative way, moreso in a tonal sound) to the album that’s really interesting.
I really enjoyed this. Ambient jazz with a lot of melodic shifts and nuances to keep it interesting rather than the standard jazz fare.
Do you like Jazz? 4
Jazz is a mystery to me.
Exceptional instruments
It's like 40 minutes of dissonance and musical noodling and apparently I like that shit
Very pleasant. I love instruments that can cry and the brass on this was amazing. The entire album was pleasing to listen to and calming. the way the second song built was beautiful I would buy it if i found it. The first 2 tracks were amazing, but in all seriousness, In a Silent Way was the standout. 4.5 stars
banger 8.7/10
Cela ne sera pas pour le travail sur la tracklist qui est assez simple : 2 morceaux de 20 mins, mais quel moment de calme et de poésie ! Je ne mets que 4 étoiles car ce n’est pas un album iconique mais j’ai beaucoup apprécié son écoute !
I hadn't heard that David album before. Pretty cool, would have been amazing live
Just what I needed as background music this morning when I had to get some work done.
Smooth, proto ambient and very nice, but feels a little above my head - I recognise, but do not fully appreciate, its greatness.
A very chill, groovy, semi-psychedelic journey through the dark night of the soul.
This slaps. It's got groove aplenty and is my new favourite Davis album, having listened to Kind Od Blue a few times too many and not finding much of interest in his other albums.
The word 'vibe' is thrown around a lot, but man, this is a vibe. Sustained atmosphere that hovers and ripples and grooves, lingering like smoke, occasionally punctuated with bursts of energy. Beautiful marriage of the softly massaged brass and creeping electric tones on the keys. Dig man, let this take you away.
Great listen. A little meandering. How do you even compose something like this? Drugs?
Chill jazz
That was a pleasant surprise. Jazz is not my go to in music. First track was OK however second track was far better and I felt I was getting into it. I'm more a fan of alternative rock and heard similarities with Radiohead and Talk Talk. Anyway must try is listen some more.
Nice stuff.
This album has taken some time for me to appreciate. I got the 1001 albums book a long time ago, and saw this album and listened...and I didn't get it. But I'd revisit it every few years or so. By the time of this listen, I appreciate it far more than I did at the start. I dig the slow burn of these 2 lengthy tracks.
Favorite Track: In A Silent Way
Kind of Blue more good. This fine. This jazzy. This not as good. Shoutout Kind of Blue.
A really great album that put me in a good mood. Easy to listen to and bop my head to, but also the instruments flow in and out of each other like a river. Has all the parts of elevator/local on the 8s music but is so much more. Not sure if I'll have any of the tunes trapped in my head, but Miles Davis will likely land on my "need an instrumental to plug into while I work" list.