Birth Of The Cool

I really liked this. Well, by liked, I mean tolerated it. Well, by tolerated it, I mean I would rather have my eyeballs injected with spider eggs, whilst having by pubes yanked out by an aggressive Bulgarian dinner lady, all the while a parrot is screeching "Jordan Henderson is the best in the world" down my ear, with every woman I've ever fancied and my family and friends all watching on; than ever listen to a single second of this ever again.

They don’t call this Birth of the Cool for nothing. What a fucking classic

'The Birth of Cool' reminds me of when I spent my forties as an adult baby. We would meet up in groups of 12-15 and our mums would feed us milk, hug us and change our nappies. I would often piss and shit myself for real, which was a source of such joy for both me and the mums. I was thrown out in disgrace after an incident. I suggested, or more tried to force myself up one of the mums, so I could be reborn. Please understand that this was not sexual, I was merely trying to understand how it would feel to be born, to experience the journey from the womb, through the vagina and into the world, all with the awareness of an adult. Needless to say, the police were called in, the adult baby centre was shut down and I served 18 months in prison.

I know I am biased here because I really do love Miles Davis and a lot of his "cool jazz" contemporaries and artists that followed their lead, and I am also influenced by the music reviews of the time that likened this album and similar works to impressionist-style visual arts, but, what the heck, I'll embrace it all. This album is gorgeous. The layers, textures, colors...man. I love to imagine what it would be like to find a little time-space portal to loop back to NYC in the late 40s through early 60s when so much amazing jazz was happening. I love this album. Such art.

Feels like you should have a cigar and a whisky. Very smooth

Too hip. Possibly in my top five all time jazz albums. Responsible for a whole subgenre full of bad imitators but, both as the wellspring of an aesthetic and as a standalone collection of music, this is crazy good

If peeing your pants is cool, then I'm Miles Davis.

Miles Davis is probably the single most talented musician to have lived in the 20th century, well known for occasionally blowing open the entire genre he worked in and inspiring dozens if not hundreds of imitators. For any other musician, this would be their masterpiece - for Davis, it barely cracks the top ten.

3.3 - I suppose context is everything - whereas I've found other Miles Davis albums groundbreaking, to my ears this sounds like laid back big band jazz. Certainly "cool" and pleasant but I'm not feeling that sense of awe and excitement that I'm probably supposed to.

This is a very pleasant jazz album, and I’m actually really excited to see something from the 50s come up. I don’t think I had ever really listened to any Miles Davis before, although I’d heard lots about him.

Just cool.

Good ass jazz

Jazz melts in to the bakground and disapears, to me. I reallice that this is god jazz, but i cant rember anything from listening to this record.

I love when I see an album that can be pointed to and say "Right here. That's where it all started." What a cool formative moment in jazz history, and not to mention its fucking BALLER. The head for Budo always slaps, and the ending section of Moon Dreams slays me every time.

EYE POP EMOJI

Can't say no to some more Miles. I can definitely tell that this came before Kind of Blue. The songs are shorter, less exploratory and experimental. Still, there are flashes here and there that bear the Miles Davis edge, like the end of "Moon Dreams." I was about to say I'm not feeling as jazzed by this, then "Budo" hit me like ONE TWO THREE HO! This is great, and a welcome reprieve from the middling selections last week. Favorite tracks: Budo, Move, Moon Dreams. Album art: Like Kind of Blue, this cover is unimaginative. Granted, it's 1957. But it's a black and white photo of Miles Davis. I do like the angle of the photo and the framing of text all around the picture. As far as '50s jazz album covers go, this one's not bad. 4/5

Fine, but better appreciated by someone else, I’m sure.

It's interesting to understand that "Birth of the Cool" is a compilation and not an album per se. Comprised of songs recorded in three sessions during 1949 and early 1950, it's a record that shows the evolution of cool jazz, a style being molded on the go with different session bands full of musicians that would make history or were already doing so. Max Roach, Gerry Mulligan, Kenny Clarke, Lee Konitz and John Lewis all have great contributions on this release, showing that Miles Davis was not only a great musician, but also great at chosing his band. It's an 11 track compilation with 11 pieces of jazz history put together.

Smooth. Really enjoyed this. Godchild is the best of the album for me. I like the low bass intro.

One of his very best

Fantastic album, completely different from what I would normally listen to but enjoyed it a lot.

“If peeing your pants is cool, consider me Miles Davis” - my mom every time I mention Miles Davis

Walk into a random jazzclub across the globe and there's a good chance that the orchestra playing is still trying to mimic the sound and atmosphere created on Birth of the Cool. With one collection of songs, bebop was surpassed by cool jazz, and smoke-filled venues never looked back. Highlights were 'Venus de Milo', 'Godchild' and 'Boplicity', but everything was just cool as heck.

Ok, now this was truly Cool. A smooth set of tracks. I can get behind this Miles, and listening to this might be a better entry point than the other 2 I've had on the list so far.

I am by no means qualified nor worthy to do justice to any sort of review of this album (as if I am of any of the other albums). But here it goes. This is a compilation of 11 tracks recorded by Davis' nonet (nine musicians) over three sessions between 1949 and 1950. The music was a major development in post-bebop jazz. Bebop is 1940's jazz with a fast tempo, complex chord progressions and changes of key. There are several songs that fit maybe more into the bebop fast tempo area. On the flipside is cool jazz which is a more relaxed tempo and this album is credited with starting this cool jazz movement. A number of songs fall in this category. One of the innovative arrangements used on this album is polyphony which is two or more independent melody lines. Again, multiple examples of this throughout the album. There is a lot more history and in-depth breakdown to this album and music but the above-mentioned musical techniques are the ones I found to standout while listening. This is another album with really not a bad song to choose. The first song is "Move" and it does just that rolling along fitting maybe more in the bebop category. A good example of the polyphony with multiple melodies. "Jeru" and "Venus De Milo" are slower tempo, definitely cool jazz. "Jeru" also has a couple outstanding horn solos. I learned a lot from this album. Definitely a good album to chill to. I'm sure to get more jazz and Miles in this challenge and it'll be interesting to see the differences. I'm sure to learn more.

Not often a claim like this can be actually backed up, but this seems to do so. A really solid album from someone who seems to have defined and redefined jazz over and over for others to follow behind him.

I need more Miles Davis in my life.

I'm a huge Miles Davis fan, and jazz of this era in general. This album came two years before Kind of Blue, and it has such a different vibe. The songs are short, and the album is short too. It doesn't have the long solos I'm used to in a Davis album. It's all about the band playing together, and not about Davis in particular. It's a very sweet and complicated at the same time. This is such a good recording too. I really loved this album, but I'm likely to give all Davis albums of this era a 5.

Canciones cortas, album corto. Cool indeed. Easy to listen to. Escuchá con Edgard.

Not a big jazz guy, but this was a good listen, know there's more Miles to come on this album journey so looking forward to that

Miles Davis invented Cool Jazz, a Jazz genre that tried to be relaxed and "cool" and the way he did it, it was really cool. This album here is a compilation of many songs recorded between 1949 and 1959 and released back then on singles or EPs. But it still was an important release, 7 years later as this not only gave a whole other light on Miles Davis and his artistry but also on Cool Jazz at its rise to stardom. The songs are a mix of Cool Jazz improvs with Bebop as the pillar for these songs. And while it isn't his best album, many still see it as a classic Jazz record to this very day. The album is opened with 'Move' which isn't much Cool Jazz at all but mainly just a really groovy Bebop tune that really goes out with the energetic mood while still being nice, warm and full of mellow tones. It's a lovely first song with many great moments and improvisations and although I much prefer longer Jazz recordings, these short tunes here are still really good. This is an absolutely incredible track right off the bat. To me, 'Jeru' starts off by sounding a lot like a christmas song but I don't know why I think that. It's a pretty nice Cool Jazz song that does tune down the very energetic performance of the first track and adds a nice Hard Bop groove to it instead. It's a beautiful track and while it isn't as good as 'Move', it still has some great improvs throughout which makes it a great song in my book. 'Moon Dreams' sounds pretty similar to something you'd might hear Mingus do somewhere in "The Black Saint a.t.S.L.". Mainly because both are very influenced by the Third Stream genre which combines Jazz and elements of Classical music. And this Cool Jazz approach to it is something really relaxing and moving. Miles Davis really puts all of his soul into this song and while a couple parts do feel a little off, others really take the spotlight. It's a great song through and through. The groovy Bebop returns with 'Venus de Milo' and this time it's mixed with Miles very well performed Cool Jazz improvs. It's a lovely track and actually one of the most consistent and best working moments on the entire record. It's not perfect but really close with the only thing holding it back being a couple of other improvs from other players that aren't quite on the same level. 'Budo' is just plain Bebop and one of the three songs composed by Miles himself. This was still pretty early in his career so he obviously didn't compose one of his greatest pieces but it's still pretty solid. It is one of the weaker tracks on the album but it's still far from bad. It mainly feels unfocused and out of touch with itself and like it moves around aimlessly. But that doesn't mean that it doesn't have some really nice moments on it. The albums first half is closed with 'Deception' which is another mix of different genres but this time it doesn't really work. It is again composed by Miles himself and again, it moves around without going anywhere. This time it's actually quite "annoying" because it builds up to nothing, it is unstructured and not the "Avant-Garde" good way. It's just not that great overall. It's good but much closer to being average than great. 'Godchild' opens the albums second side and while some moments like the start do also feel pretty unstructured, it does find itself after a couple of movements and turns actually pretty solid and consistent after that. It's got some really nice moments throughout and I really like the way some parts are performed. It's an absolutely incredible track. The last song composed by Miles is 'Boplicity' which in comparison feels weak and basic. It is structured much better and it goes somewhere at least but the performances are really weak and standard. It's not bad but I think that it's not much more than a good piece with a couple of really well made moments namely the Miles solo halfway through. The more up-beat performance of 'Rocker' isn't really Rocker because it's Jazz but it's still nice to listen to. It's structured really well but some performances lack the interesting parts that would make them stick out. It's pretty standard and basic but it doesn't feel like you could pull out much more, so it's okay. A couple of Big Band influences are present on 'Israel' which again isn't that special. It has some nice moments and some good performances but as a whole it feels a little bit dull and unfinished and more like a quick session than a finished work. 'Rouge' finishes the album with another high quality song that really works within the album especially as it is the closing track. It's nice that he ended the album with a great song like this, full of beautiful moments and performances. An incredible song to finish a diverse but well made compilation with. favourites: Move, Rouge, Godchild, Venus de Milo, Moon Dreams least favourites: Deception, Rocker, Israel Rating: strong 7 to light 8 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes

Saw Miles Davis live during his Bitches Brew album tour In 1970 at the Filmore West In San Francisco opening for the Grateful Dead we were tripping and they took us to another planet musically and the Dead spent his whole set leaning on the back of the amps completely mesmerized While not Bitches Brew still it’s Miles Davis so a solid 4 for me

Shorter jazz compositions when cool jazz was just emerging. This is the peak of music of the era and so I would have to give it 4 stars. However, jazz still has quite a journey to go, and Davis has yet to attain his zenith of creativity. I don't think the shorter pieces work well with the genre.

Although I enjoyed the music, there were times where I didn't even realize it was playing; it sounded like it blended into everyday life. Upon reflection, it struck me as quite generic, for it to be so unnoticeable.

Jazz. Seems cool. Easy to listen to, I guess.

No. 86/1001 Move 3/5 Jeru 3/5 Moon Dream 3/5 Venus De Milo 4/5 Budo 3/5 Deception 3/5 Godchild 3/5 Boplicity 4/5 Rocker 4/5 Israel 3/5 Rogue 3/5 Average: 3,27 Good jazz album, not my favorite from Mr. Davis.

More enjoyable than Bitches Brew, less exciting than Kind of Blue.

Probably the least remarkable Miles Davis we have listened to on this list so far. 2/5

What a talent. Imagine being able to play that much trumpet while smacked out of your eyeballs? It should be a lesson to all these namby pamby modern rock'n' rollers, get off the 'gram and get on the smack.

Currently listening to it! Really liking it so far. Has a cool groove and tempo. Some interesting almost big band note runs at times.

Loved it so much. So cool, so smooth, I really can't get enough of it. If nothing else this list had shown me how much I enjoy jazz music.

Yassss, kween. Excited for some jazz. This jazz is busier than I'm used to listening to. I also have no basis to know or understand if/how this album is good or important. All I really know about jazz is if I like it or not. I actually know track 1, Move. I have no idea how but I somehow do. Track 3, Moon Dreams, feels like it's from a noir film, I kinda love it. Track 5, Budo, is great. It's busy but still familiar to other jazz I listen to. Track 7, Godchild is great, feels very classically jazz, so good to listen to whilst working. Oh man, track 8, Boplicity is soooo good.

Brilliance.

9/10

It's Miles, what more needs to be said?

Jazzy

Fire dawg

Hell yes. Looooved it

awesome stuff

stellar - the kind of music you think of when you hear the word “jazz.” Genre-defining. 5 stars

Both virtuous and relaxed. Another excellent reference.

Incredible jazz toots from the coolest cat around - makes my pecker swell up with joy

On one hand, jazz can feel very samey and not have a lot to separate a particular record from the crowd of others. On the other hand, records like this on relisten give you those invigorating moments where the rhythm takes you. Favorite Song: Deception

Delightful. What a musician.

Nice and cosy trumpet things - I like the sounds and the feeling of the music and it made me happy so it gets five.

Chill

Great Miles.

I only thing I can say is either you dig or you don’t. I for one dig it!

Absolute classic

Coooljaazzzz. Perfect intro to the sub genre. First generator album

A banger, a classic, an amazing album. Effortlessly cool.

Great

I love Miles Davis

звучный альбом в классическом джазе. яркие мелодии в сочетании с яркими мелодиями предают успокоительный вклад в настроение слушателя. 6/10

One of a favorite jazz albums for sure.

Great reading music

Frickin awesome, jazzy as hell.

So here's a little display of a very basic, simple physical law: "Miles Davis appears, I rate 5 stars." Very 'cool' music. I'd almost call it... cool jazz. First thing that came to mind, there couldn't possibly be any further implication here! And of course also: Mad respect to all the other composers and original performers of this masterpiece.

Absolute cool, fantastic playing and one of the easiest 5 stars so far.

Was going to pass on this, as not a fan of jazz. Glad I didn't this was amazing.

Classic Jazz. Great for a Friday afternoon at work.

good

Very good! Would buy on vinyl.

Cool.

Classic 5 stars every day. Listen to this in the morning while you do daily mundane chores. It will put a pep in your step.

I am travelling for work tonight and it’s pouring with rain outside. Somehow the cool jazz hits just right. Miles Davis is the king of cool

Now this is the kind of jazz I can get behind. 32 minutes of quality, pleasant listening. When it was over I was ready for more.

Sonorous, jazzy, ear catching and cool

Call this a cat cafe because these cats were COOKING

Remind me a bit of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s album with Getz

After leaving Charlie Parker's quintet, Miles Davis started recording a different sort of jazz - cool jazz, Utilizing instrumentation that used unison to achieve a human voice-like effect, Davis began an experiment that expanded the range of jazz. Birth of The Cool is a compilation of tracks from two previous releases, all recorded during three sessions. Davis' incredible skills and remarkably extensive catalog have made him one of the most influential figures in jazz. Birth of The Cool was among the first of his recordings to show the world that he was not only a remarkably skilled player, but also a composer that would change the sound of modern jazz.

Good, enjoyed

Truly magnificent .

Two Miles Davis in a week. I thought Kind of Blue was very accessible and this one seems even more so. I don't have the appreciation of jazz to see how this fits into the bigger picture of the genre but I loved this one. Rating: 4.7

Miles is the coolest

Very pleasant Jazz. Shorter tracks played by incredibly skilled musicians.

Incredible!

Massively important. The only question is: When you're that cool, how do you know it? How did they know they were birthing The Cool?

Pure magic

This feels like the standard that all jazz album should be held up to. It has highs and lows. It's fast and slow. The recording is crisp and clear. There's a variety of instruments that's lead by an absolutely perfect horn performance. It's short enough that it left me wanting more. I really can't find a single thing wrong with this album.

Outstanding

Yes laaawd gimme more of that

truly a beedop boopow day! jazz is such an incredibly powerful and creative form of art. miles davis has truly left a remarkable mark on this art form

Love the blues

It’s Miles.

Everyone say thank you to miles Davis for inventing being cool

This is an all time great record.

you know that moment in the movie 'ratatouille' where Remy takes a bite of a piece of cheese and a strawberry and he sees these moving colors as the flavor reveals itself? ya this album is just that. one of the best of this early experiment.

Yes!!!! Sublime music!

With someone as renowned as Miles Davis you expect an album from him to be sensational. And with a taste for jazz like mine you’d expect me to love it. This, however, didn’t stand out to me so much, nothing really piqued my interest. That’s not to say it was a bad album but it just wasn’t quite what I was expecting or hoping it would be. I think I need to understand jazz better to really be able to appreciate the beauty of this album, but for now this album is just alright. Update: after more listens I definitely appreciate this album a lot more. Double update: I get it now. The mere thought of dying without having heard this album in my life is nightmarish to me.