Reviews (page 2 of 14)
Swings hard with the medium size band. You can hear all the melodic elements that are later present with the smaller group where they'll be given the space to stretch. It's kept tight here adn makes each tune very approachable. Great album.
Album jazz classique
No es lo mio
nice solid jazz stuff. those cats were cooking.
I’m not sure if I’d know like a five star jazz album, but I liked this one, it was a quick, tight collection of 3-4ish minute pieces. I appreciate the it didn’t have the repetitive self-indulgent nature of some other jazz works.
As promised: cool! Feels nostalgic for me, like something my dad listened to. Evokes a certain moodiness that I quite enjoy.
(8.3)
A genius, Miles Davis. "Move" and "Deception" were my favorites.
One of those albums I wish were three times longer.
Pretty good for heavy horn jazz
It might be a "victim of his own success" type of situation, because I know he has stuff that surpasses this.
Awesome compilation. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more Miles Davis on here, but kinda funny that I’ve seen this twice on this site now. Really hope Bitches Brew is somewhere in this collection.
Miles at his peak! Not my fav go-to Miles so it has to be a 4.
Good jazz, just not the kind that I listen to. Lost a lot of momentum after Venus de Milo, it just ended up being background noise.
3-4 Sterne Verfüge leider über zu wenig Wissen um dies richtig zu beurteilen. Es ist schwer, da Jazz für mich immer in den Hintergrund rückt wenn man etwas anderes dabei tut. Aber alleine im Hintergrund fühle ich mich beschwingter die Dinge zu tun. Ich hätte gern mal zu dieser Zeit solche Musikakte live miterlebt.
i can't do this
Classic
I don't know why this happens but when I listen to this type of music all I can think about is it being in movie. My brain can't move past that to enjoy it more.
I wish I was cool enough to get really into this. Maybe it's the style/era, but it felt like it was the background for a goofy montage in a 1950s comedy. I liked it well enough, but it didn't get me excited.
Loved this album! It was so refreshing a listen!
I quite enjoy the little padded brush drum thing they do in jazz. It's like there are palm trees swaying to the rhythm. I probably should give this higher cuz it was super influential at the time but I lack the context. However I did enjoy it for what it is.
It's becoming a common thread among the jazz albums on this list, the significance of them just goes over my head. Fortunately, this doesn't prevent me from enjoying them at some level.
Pretty cool
I get the context and he sounds amazing... but this was kinda boring. Not my cup of tea
very fun to study with, great jazz music
I enjoyed this, but I don't know anything about jazz. Kind of all runs together. Great sounds though.
Big band jazz, semi-relatable.
i like jazz
i like jazz
Good old Miles. Always good to listen to.
It is essential listening. Easily a perfect record and one of the most "important" recordings of all time. Miles changed the face of jazz with this record and everyone should listen to it. Then listen to it again. And again.
Its still jazz but it not too bad
Very good album for a Friday morning. Not as intense as other Davis albums I’ve heard before, but it’s still cool.
This album documents the birth of the cool. We’re not sure who the mother is, but Davis is definitely the father.
There's really not much that I can say about the Prince of Darkness that hasn't been said millions of times. This album definitely deserves to be on this list; it just flows so beautifully and there isn't a bad song on it. By shifting away from the frantic pace of bebop, Davis teamed up with arrangers like Gil Evans and Gerry Mulligan to give birth to the cool jazz subgenre, using a nine-piece band to craft a smooth, beautifully structured sound. 8/10
By now I know: all the Miles Davis is getting 5’s. 5 Boolean: True
Giving 1s to known abusers. Otherwise album is lovely.
Much of Jazz is like the language the Sims use - I can recognise it but it doesn't mean anything to me. Is this good jazz? I really don't know. All I know is it didn't make me sit up and take interest at any point and became just the backing track to my day. 2*
This genuinely reminded me to take my ADHD medication, make of that what you will
This is a bit before my favorite era. This came out in 57 but the material was originally recorded in 1949 and 50. I really start getting into Miles closer to his Columbia... And all of my favorite albums of his are on that label. I do like this a good bit. My knowledge of jazz is not the best, but I can tell he's stretching the bounds of the swing and be-bop sounds of the time. This album though seem to mainly point his beginning of his journey to cool and modal jazz. And also for Capitol to capitalize on Davis' growing fame Great collection but not totally my favorite era of his (8.1) ★★★★
A bit too much bebop influences for my liking here. 3.5 stars
Maybe I'm an uncultured Philistine, but I like this a lot better than Miles' later experimental work. Not being a huge jazz guy, this is easier for me to understand what people like about jazz. It's digestible and I feel like some cool dude from the 1950s while listening to it. 4 stars.
A cool album. As Abed from Community might say, a “cool cool cool” album.
Awesome !
nice for working 4/5
Enjoyed, not the right person to rate jazz as I am not too knowledgeable.
Loved this
Непогано, рідно слухаю джаз, але це справді добра музика
I mean, how can you knock jazz? Loved this project. It's a solid, cohesive, and structured project from Miles Davis done very well by the greatest jazz musician of all time. This isn't close to Miles' best record but that testament goes to show how great this record really is.
Enjoyed this more than the previous Miles Davis record we got, helped by the much shorter song length, but still left me fairly cold. Rating: 2.5
I know it's Miles Davis, but this album seemed too low key for me. So laid back it's almost background music.
Always great to see Miles on this list. He was one album away from reaching the peak of his powers, where he stayed for some time. But I love all the harmonies.
Aptly titled album
good and cool
One of my favorite Miles.
I like jazz as background music, so I'm not necessarily in tune with his brilliance. That being said, I didn't mind it.
chill cozy enjoyable album with a soothing sound which feels nostalgic and familiar to the listener. although i enjoyed most of it i cant hide the fact that the two major instruments (trompet and drums) make it a little repetitive and not stand out as much as a whole. the way miles davis plays the trompet is unorthodox and surprisingly interesting at times but i wouldnt say that it carries out through the whole record. its fun and a great introduction for me in the jazz genre but it lacks a bit of experimentation imo. 6/10
not really a jazz person but who knows maybe I will love it.
Cool trumpet jazz, don't quite big band not quite experimental jazz. A good listen but not something I will come back to regularly.
Cool, but not my favorite thing (from Miles or from jazz of this era)
(4/7) sounds like jazz
Interesting choice this one. No, it's not as iconic as Kind of Blue or Sketches of Spain but it's still a really influential recording. There are some absolute classics on here. But, I still prefer later Miles than earlier.
This compilation of singles from 1949-1950 perfectly exemplifies what originally made Miles Davis a star in the Jazz world. The smooth playing, the complete command of his instrument, and the way Davis' playing exudes charisma and... well, "cool". This really was the birth of Cool Jazz, and Davis quickly went on to experiment and push the limits of Jazz, completely abandoning this style by the end of the 60's. Cool Jazz may have made him a star, but those later experiments made him a legend. Key tracks: Move Budo
I see how it is a pioneer type of album - but not necessarily enjoyable to listen to (for me). I’m more of a smooth jazz type of gyal
Beyond cool...
smirio me u haos danu
just beautiful
Ett klockrent jazz album som man bara borde ha
What a surprise. I thought I wouldn't like it, but it was a great experience!
At the age of 22, Miles Davis would release a record that captured his first recorded sessions as a band leader of a group of musicians, all of whom were absolute masters of their instruments. This album would ultimately become highly influential in transforming jazz away from the Be-Bop sounds into something a little smoother, more relaxed or 'cooler'. What made this sound unique was the transition from traditional blues chord progressions to modal progressions. This, along with somewhat slower timing, provided space that could be filled with music that was more relaxed than the hot, angular “hot” jazz of be-bop. Davis and other innovators also incorporated counterpoint, a technique borrowed from classical music made possible by Davis’s formal train at Julliard, to combine multiple melodies creating more complex and sophisticated harmonies. This cooler vibe all resulted in a resurgence in jazz popularity, leading to more innovations in jazz and other forms of modern music. The release of “Birth of the Cool” is credited as being one of the most important catalysts in getting this process moving. I mention all of this because my enjoyment of seminal albums like this increases with a better understanding of what it was that made the album significant. This is not to say that one must understand these things to enjoy this record. Just pour a scotch and listen deeply and fall into a trance from the compelling, surprising rich harmonies generated from music that is this chill. When you come out, you’ll find yourself feeling decidedly cooler. At least I did. This is not Davis’s best album, in my opinion, but it is a seminal album that everyone should listen to before they die. There is something special about hearing the beginning of a musical genius who ultimately became among the most import voices in modern music.
Great talent, not my style of music
Davis non ne sbaglia una. Disco molto divertente, un jazz più ballabile rispetto a kind of blue e bitches brew per esempio, più godibile per i non amanti del genere
I'm definitely not someone who "gets" jazz, but even I can tell how good this is.
I'm not really sure how to talk about or interpret jazz, but I liked how varied and emotional this was. I feel like this would be really great live.
Put this on during a run not having ever really listened to Miles Davis. I won’t hesitate to be back for more.
Great album all-around. I think it lacks the extra something from Kind of Blue that I can't quite figure out, but another great from Miles Davis.
Hm, dejansko sm pozabila, da sm že dobila Milesa. Ker tole ful ni zame. Enkrat sm ga že poslušala dons - can't tell you a thing about it. Zj se zarad tega silim še enkrat. Ampak. Hrbet me boli, zmatrana sem, raj bi začela chill večer. In jazz ain't a part of it. To ni žanr, ki bi ga znala cenit.
A 4
One of the problems with not being into jazz is that bad jazz and good jazz all sounds the same to me. Is this album good? Is this album bad? It is what it is and that's all I have to say about it 2.5/5
Peaceful jazz
Mediocre jazz record. Nothing too memorable about it but nothing terrible
4.0 Bit more swing than what I would think of miles davis
Jazz, bebob, cool jazz, 1957 -> 4
This is fantastic. Great album
Amazing
The title says it all. This album is just cool. Seeing Miles just continue to evolve as a musician is kinda mind blowing.
Ei vittu mitä paskaa oikeasti meinasin olla kuuntelematta mutta en ollut hiiri. Ei todellakaan jatkoon 1/5.
Bepop not my thing, but Miles is Miles.
Moody, thoughtful. Good art, but doesn't necessarily speak to me.
This sounds 30 years older than it its. Its pleasant but super repetitive. You like it or you dont and I'm politely indifferent.
Of all jazz this is my favorite type. That being said, at the same time it is still jazz. Pleasant to listen to in this case but nothing to really grab my attention full on, and I couldn’t remember a thing I listened to. Improvisation and this type of solo instrumentals are impressive but don’t lend themselves to really sticking in my mind.
It is a great compilation of many of the early works by Miles Davis. It is a magnificient jazz record, which lays the groundwork for scenes such as post-bebop. However, many of Miles' albums feel more monumental than this, such as the other albums included in this list and other glaring omissions such as 'Sketches of Spain'. I respect the glimpse that it provides to the early-era Miles Davis but it does not feel as essential to be included. 7/10 [SWAP]
Not something that I always want to listen to, but its an undeniable classic
This is actually a real nice time. I much prefer this kind of chill jazz, where you can just gently appreciate it. My Miles Davis rankings have been all over the place, so I was glad this was one of the better ones. 3.5 rounded down.
If you think jazz should be smooth, this IS the album for you. Fuck the bebop, fuck the avant garde, this is some beautiful Melodys with swinging beats to jig your legs along to. Gives you what you need before you even knew you wanted it.
What’s Israel got to do with jazz
makes me want a strong drink, a mystery pill, and to eat my on-again-off-again ex's ass
Real nice
Miles. 5
7/10… jazz / hard bop / *1957
I'm sorry. I keep getting recommended Miles Davis albums and I can hear that he's an enormously talented musician, and I sincerely believe he changed jazz music forever with his innovations, but I cannot find these records anything other than incredibly dull. And the sheer brass balls to call ab album "birth of the cool" is actively annoying.
Хороший альбом я его не слушал
Birth of Cool is a good Miles Davis album. Not my favorite but definitely solid. No one can jam quite like him.
5/10 - I’ve never been a fan of jazz, but this platform has helped me figure out what kinds of jazz im more fond of. Miles is undeniably cool, but Big Band is almost always a miss for me.
It's nice and easy to listen to, but I prefer when his tracks are longer and there's a bit more variation/experimentation. 6/10
4.2/5 - Cool, but I can only last through so much jazz. Nothing more to say than that.
Miles Davis did that
Perfeito!
The least interesting Miles Davis album I've heard
Enjoyed this a lot. Clearly much "straighter" than his later work but the talent is there and it breezed past.
My least favourite of the MD albums so far - 2 stars. Tom.
Nice backround music, will listen to it again
First listen. This is so close to “Kind of Blue” but I just love that album so much more.
I think I needed this. I mean, this isn't Miles’ later rock-tinged fusion or even his classic Kind of Blue, but Davis was never not a compelling player. This is early era, so it's not revelatory or anything. It's just strong Jazz from the 50s. Arguably a starting point or a turning point between eras. This feels like the standards era, but there's a lot more tentative resolution, harmonic tension, etc. I don't think I'd need that… this could be fine as just a very straight-ahead album, or picked apart even more so it leans further away from classic structure. But that transitional vibe does feel exciting when you can sort of pick it out from the future. One wonders just how it felt at the time, too. Light ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The sessions compiled here from 1949-1950 essentially invented cool jazz and created a template that an entire generation of musicians built from — Miles at 23, already thinking a decade ahead of where jazz was. That the record exists as a compiled artifact rather than a single conceived album changes nothing about what it actually is, which is one of the most consequential collections of recordings in the music's history. The nonet is the instrument. Gerry Mulligan, Lee Konitz, J.J. Johnson, Gil Evans arranging — nine musicians creating a sound that was deliberately softer and more orchestral than bebop's intensity, the French horn and tuba giving the whole thing a warmth and low-end texture that jazz hadn't quite attempted before. The arrangements breathe and move with a patience that bebop's relentless momentum deliberately avoided, which is the philosophical statement the record is making as much as any individual performance. J.J. Johnson on trombone deserves specific acknowledgment — one of the great jazz trombonists in history, and hearing him here with ears that understand the instrument from the inside gives the listen a dimension that casual appreciation can't quite reach. The trombone as melodic voice rather than harmonic furniture is exactly what Johnson understood completely and demonstrated here definitively. Miles' muted trumpet is characteristically understated throughout — stating melodies with an economy that leaves maximum space for the arrangements to work. The through-line from these sessions to Kind of Blue nine years later is audible in every choice: the same patience, the same philosophy of space, the same understanding that what you don't play matters as much as what you do. A five that the arrangements earn and J.J. Johnson confirms.
So influential. How can you not appreciate this?
2.5/5 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/comp/miles-davis/birth-of-the-cool/ I don't like jazz, as my other jazz album ratings will make clear. It's often too grating, too (seemingly) random; there's just something that I really cannot enjoy about the majority of the genre's output. I didn't hate listening to this one. It's not too invasive, so it worked quite fine as background music. However, that's also not what it's supposed to be. So yea, I guess for me jazz will either be annoying or boring. Maybe one day I will grow up.
groovy
I'm not a huge fan of compilations in general, but it's very difficult to find any fault in this album whatsoever. 5/5.
Nothing as smooth as this. But I feel like it deserves a listen without anything else going on.
Jazz isn’t my thing, but I was in the right mood for it today. A fun and pleasant listen. I even found myself listening to it again over the weekend. I guess if I had to pick a jazz album, this would be it.
I love A Kind of Blue, but never wandered past that into Miles' back catalogue. Clearly a mistake as this album is also superb... But not quite as superb as Kind of Blue, it just wasn't quite there, fell a little short. Repeat listens will help, but for the moment it'll 'only' get a 4.
2026.08.28.
That was a great album. I didn’t realize that I had heard it before, and I need to hear it again. Often.
This feels so relaxing and calming. The music is very cohesive, but I'm not the biggest fan of jazz. It would be great dinner party music, or just background music. But it's not my style. I was disappointed that only the final track had lyrics because the vocals were beautiful, smooth, full and rich. If there was a full album of that, I would rate it higher. I think I'm beginning to like Miles Davis though.
While I enjoy the contributions of jazz into my favorite musical genres and artists, I’m just not a huge fan of it in its own category. I will still give it a 3 though because it’s not terrible.
"Cool" indeed, but it's hard to come back to this once you've heard Kind of Blue and Bitches Brew. This is like Pablo Honey.
dosta dobro, baš mi se dopalo, želim još slušat. petstoti album :O
such a great entry level jazz album
What this guy said "Those slow things sounded strange and good. I didn't always know what they were doing, but I listened, and I liked it." I generally prefer higher intensity stuff but this is nice, chill. +1 for historical significance.
never knew to listen to trumpet jazz but it was pretty fire
I just don’t get it. All songs sound the same and I was bored. The mighty boosh once said about jazz. “As soon as the melody becomes abstract, you mess your trousers and run to your mummy” I’m not ashamed to admit it but that exactly how I felt
As cool today as it was when it was released
I really struggle to rate Jazz on this list. I really like Jazz whenever it comes up and I'll never say no to turning some on, but I'm just not likely to play Jazz very much on my own. I feel positive towards it, but never ecstatic. Anyways, this is obviously very good Jazz, but it feels very run-of-the-mill. Not Miles's fault, as this style was obviously copied a lot later, but it's not doing too much for me now. The second half is definitely better than the first Favorite Songs: Deception, Rocker
I dont think i like the high energy jazz, it kinda j sounds like a bunch of instruments playing random shit at the same time and rlly loud I did kinda like moons dream(or one close to that) because it was slow moving actually sounded like the sounds go together.
Nothing really stood out to me, but they were some nice tunes. It was comforting, like the radio in Fallout.
"Please Hold" music on steroids
Time to admit I will never get jazz
A classic album. Unbelievably beautiful
Absolutely timeless. So many great pieces, harmonies were almost classical in parts. You can hear the foundations of 'Kind of Blue' which is con ing a few years later
Great playing, but no songs... Great background music, but that's not necessarily a compliment. In the right mood, with a nice glass of wine, this could work. If you want to know what to expect, pick any track and skip the rest, you'll know. Still, 3.5.
This is some very nice background music. I enjoy the general sound. It feels like this is a good baseline from which to understand where Davis goes next... and perhaps jazz in general. Its status as a compilation doesn't alter anything for me -- but perhaps "Kind of Blue" could have stood in for this.
***A good easy listening instrumental album
it will certainly gonna be born somewhere around here, good music, but i'm not gonna go seeking it out. 3/5
I'm so used to jazz songs being 5+ minutes long that the shorter times of these songs caught me off guard.
I've listened to this album at least 50 times in past, and it's always great. The harmonic complexity really pushed a certain type of jazz in a very satisfying direction.
Fun and cool jazz. I like how lively it was. And it made me feel like an intellectual while reading my book
I wasn't a fan of the other Miles Davis album I've heard - but this one was good! 4 ⭐️
Blind album. Cool emoji for sure 😎 but not something I'd seek out everyday. This is one of those albums I am glad is on the project for me to go out of my way and try.
Emt
Classic jazz album by one of the greats. I love this album. 4/5
Vieläkään en jaksa välittää jazzista. Arvostan taitavia muusikoita, mutta ei tätä olisi huvittanut kuunnella kymmentä sekuntia enempää.
Nice album
Nothing that really grabbed me.
Another of those "you had to be there" I feel.. it didn't set my world on fire but this is 2026 not 1957... there is, however, the promise of something really special in there even if the outlandishness of Bitches Brew was still far off. I'm no jazz expert so don't probably appreciate this at the level it should be appreciated (whatever exactly that might be) but... I prefer The Death of Cool by Kitchens of Distinction. Wonder how often, despite the reference, those two get mentioned alongside each other...
#236 Heard Before? Yes. Notes: - this is great stuff. it's decently recorded, the band is hot, the solos rip and Davis is a brilliant performer, arranger and composer. - it is as much about the final death throes of big band (and the putting out to pasture of bebop) as it is the birth of anything. - so massively influential that every nuance was completely absorbed into the music that followed. which makes revisiting this rather redundant. Verdict: A more accurate but less reverent title would be "Transitional Fossil of Jazz". Listen Again? Don't need to.
Muy interesante, aunque siento que necesito escucharlo mas y con mas atencion para encontrar todo lo que puede ofrecer. Por ahora se me hace demasiado tranquilo, con ciertos puntos interesantes.
Cool vibes!
Really great stuff. Maybe my favorite miles so far. Just super solid tunes
This was chill and a perfect relaxing listen on the way home from a late and long rehearsal. Easy listening. A true 3.5.
I don’t get it and I don’t like it.
This a good album but it isn’t equal or close to Kinda Blue
Pretty cool.
just a beautiful jazz album
good jazz
Nice background music, hard to differentiate one track from the next to my simpleton's ear. Which brings me back to one of life's great mysteries. How on earth does he decide what to call each track?
Gah. I'm sorry. I know this is probably Art. I just didn't engage with it at all. It flew between my ears like a shadow and was gone.
Solid cool jazz.
Birth of Cool indeed! Perfect 5 stars!!!!!
Not as memorable as his others on the list Will I listen to again: 40%
Yup - this is cool
I had this hardest time Trying to rate this. I enjoyed it but I know Miles has way better records than this. It’s good but maybe little to old school jazz. Kept reminding me of being in a Ballroom. I was tempted between a 3.5’and 4. Gonna have to go with 3.5 since again this was good but not enough to get to the 4
It’d never be my go-to miles, but there are some absolutely thrilling moments on here and a sense that he was moving forward melodically.
Upbeat and definetly cool
Just a great listen. Guaranteed to make you tap your foot.
This was a nice, background listen. Nothing at all unappealing. Just not something I’m going to throw on for fun. Obviously these are all very talented artists and musicians. And I don’t dislike jazz, and I’ve enjoyed the jazz I’ve heard on this journey so far. Just not gonna be my favorite thing
I've never listened to a full jazz album before. I love the solo trumpet sections. Has the feel of being in a speakeasy with cigarette smoke all around you and a martini in hand waiting for a handsome stranger to ask you to dance. Makes me think of 20s short hair and flapper dresses. Boplicity was my favourite track (mainly because of the name). Jazz has a really easy vibe to it, cool and breezy.
I don't know what to say
una joya
I am here for this kind of jazz. Evidently, this known as cool jazz. Makes me feel like I'm sitting in a speakeasy. Davis is, of course, an icon, but the editors have treated him right. Everyone should absolutely listen to this before they die.
Still excellent, of course. THough not among my favourite Davis records
He can really toot.
I almost feel inclined to give it a four because I know Miles Davis can go much harder, but at the same time, it's so pleasant to listen that if it had anyone else's name on it, I'd give it a five.
Beautiful Miles🙌
Man those cats were jumping
Very smooth ,haven't checked this one out yet but liked it! Accessible and not too long which is a plus for me
not the best miles davis
rym 3.73 Cool Jazz/Bebop 轻松，自在，点到为止。没有任何乐器试图刻意彰显自己的魅力，一切都恰到好处地组织在一起，形成潮湿的雾与梦乡。有几首真的很像猫和老鼠会用的bgm，轻巧的戏剧张力，贯穿始终的安宁。悠长的旋律，琐碎的鼓点，总让人不得不想起生活中还有一大堆待解决的问题，但那又如何呢，就像他开创的这个流派一样，just be cool. pick: Moon Dreams, Boplicity
kind of a downer after listening to bitches brew this week, different on almost every level, and while this one is more accessible, I think I lack the knowledge and context of the music of the moment to fully understand its importance There are some jams that grab you from the first moment, where the musicians flex their virtuosity by exchanging phrases and improvising over dissonant harmonies at a very high tempo, and there are others where i dony quite understand where they are trying to go
Above average jazz
classy, short, easy listen good
Good, quite fantastic as background music
Didn't Quite Grab Me I went into this album knowing Miles Davis is a jazz legend. And honestly? The music is nice. It's smooth, it's well-played, it's got that cool vibe (wow just like the album name no way! /s). But personally, I really cannot see myself relistening to this. It's fun background music for a vacation or a fancy dinner, but otherwise it's not interesting enough to hold my attention. The biggest problem is that jazz, to me, tends to melt into the background and disappear. It's really hard to give it full attention. Nothing here is bad (jazz rarely dips below a 3/10 for me) but nothing really sticks either. Except for "Jeru," which actually has a memorable motif. The rest just kind of blend together. "Move" – Crazy how upbeat this album starts compared to the the majority of it. This really feels like it would play on a cruise departure or something like that. It feels like the start of an adventure. Despite that, it's very smooth and in just 2.5 minutes we're done. 5/10. "Jeru" – Reminds me of the music from Tom and Jerry lol, this whole album does I mean. It's nice but I also feel like the music will start to meld together a bit. I like Jazz with like a "chorus" if that makes sense (a strong repeated motif). Wow this one gets really good towards the end. The 2:52 motif is great. 6-7/10. "Moon Dreams" – Suuuuper slow start even for this album. Very sleepy. Night walk vibe. Wow it almost builds to something really really nice at 1:30. And then it feels like everything crashes down. It's nice, in a way. 5-6/10. "Venus De Milo" – Very chill but kind of forgettable because of that. Again, I can't bring myself to say that any of this is bad. Jazz is rlly subjective to me... some songs stick, some don't. But none are unlistenable. 4-5/10. "Budo" – These songs are so short. Blink and they're gone. 4/10. "Deception" – Ooh I like this one. Very chill. Well, the start was strong. Jazz melts into the background and disappears, to me, so it's really hard to give full attention. 4-5/10. "Godchild" – I could see myself on like a cruise ship listening to this. Very nice. 5/10. "Boplicity" – This one is sweet and nice. Making me sleepy. 4-5/10. "Rocker" – I like that this one is a bit more upbeat but it's kind of veering toward Christmas vibes. 4-5/10. "Israel" – Booooo, I get it's not Davis' piece but boooooo. Musically it's decent but kind of feels dull compared to the rest. 1/10 just for the name. "Rouge" – Really good and it feels rather diverse instrumentally. Several different instruments get their own solos and they all have fun. 6/10. This album is historically important. I get that. It changed jazz. But for me, it's just background music. It's nice, it's pleasant, it's well-played! But it doesn't grab me. "Jeru" is the only real standout. The rest is cruise ship music. Rating: 6/10
Yippee!!
3.5
A very pleasant listen from beginning to end. But my brain is too smooth to understand why one track should have 82k plays on YouTube Music, and why another has 4 million. To me it's all just jazz. Worth listening to, but I don't have the kind of appreciation or understanding of it to give it anything higher than a 4/5.
Den ER meget cool
Lyder for vildt i forhold til hvor tidligt det er optaget! Lækkert lyt
Really nice record! 3+
Jaaaaaazzz. Nice.
4/8
overall: 5/10 decent. calming, groovy kind of instrumentals id listen to in the background. not my taste tho
love miles
3/10 I never want my low reviews to give off the impression that I don't understand the talent being displayed. I very much do acknowledge the importance of albums like this. However that can all be true while not being the type of music I'm going to enjoy.
Tried to appreciate jazz in my younger years, but it didn't take. I can appreciate the musicianship, but I love a song with a melody, and it just seems too meandering for my ears.
Hey now we have a stone wall classic....the man who repeatedly changed each decades music when he made a record....listen & learn..
More sophisticated than "cool" in specific jazz terms, but flawless nonetheless. This guy has a bright future in jazz music!
It takes some serious chutzpah to title your album “Birth of the Cool,” something Miles Davis has never lacked, and yet it’s pretty damn cool (sorry). Musically, it feels complex and challenging, with less emphasis on melody or swing than on unconventional instruments and arrangements. While I respect it for its cultural significant in opening new doors for the form (and for the album title), it’s not the first release I’d go to when I want to hear some jazz.
Was fine until that last song with vocals.
I've always enjoyed this album. I don't see it as the masterpiece that is "Kind of Blue," but super solid. The last track, "Darn that Dream," is kind of goofy.
não é o que escuto normalmente, mas foi uma boa experiência.
It’s true, Miles Davis did invent being cool. Like how in these earlier records there’s a much more traditional jazz sound, you really can hear Davis evolve throughout his records. There’s something for everyone in his back catalogue. Truly one of the greatest to ever do it.
Good for background music.
jazzy
Very influential very joyful but beautiful! Also a great album name in my eyes - however I suppose I love when jazz gets a bit less controlled and more intense?
It is just sick
Miles Davis was phenomenal. The only problem with this album is it’s too short, absolute classic!
Glorious and...........wait for it.......COOL!
me gusta. da muchas vibes de los ángeles, ca. las primeras dos canciones tuvieron un ritmo rápido que me fascinó 10/10, moon dreams se siente como estar enamorado. budo da vibes de canción de cuphead. lowkey no puedo distinguir mucho en que se diferencian las canciones de jazz, mas que nada lo hago por el ritmo. así que si me gusta una, me gustan todas… muy buen álbum, no se me hizo aburrido. eso sí, me faltó la letra, es más de mi gusto personal eso. rouge me gustó por el piano. si escucharía el álbum x las mañanas
Relaxing and fun album! Enjoyed it.
Niet slecht
Not my favorite type of jazz.. just sounds random to me, it sounds like adhd
Creates a great vibe. While I prefer a Kind Of Blue, this was a great listen.
Very much enjoyed working to this. Discovered I quite like jazz albums.
If pissing your pants is cool, I’m miles Davis. Yeah he’s talented or whatever, but no lyrics is bonkers.
It was good. That’s all
Life is beautiful
Literally just sounds like background music. Not a big jazz kind of guy.
reminder i'm not a jazz person anyways but good song tbh
Not a huge fan of Jazz, but this was great. Would listen to it again
5 - AVERAGE
Jazz at its moss compelling.
נחמד להקשיב לאלבום שלם של jazz
I liked the description of Miles Davis on Spotify: A monumental innovator, icon, and maverick, trumpeter. He is so inspiring, this album talks to me without talking. Favourite songs of the album: - Jeru: puts me on a good mood, added to my coffee shop playlist. - Moon Dreams: aligned with the full moon today: very romantic. - Venus De Milo: the vibes and the name of the song makes me feel sensual - Darn that dream: the only one that has voice, and felt it!!
3.5
The best
Iconic jazz album
Birth of the Cool? Death of My Attention Span! Total background music, but I put it on twice, so that's a good sign ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Huge fan of Miles Davis, especially the Columbia years. In a Silent Way, Bitches Brew and On The Corner. Birth Of The Cool is not in my list of favourite albums by Miles Davis, but this is an important album in the history of Jazz, so 4/5
Previously reviewed Bitches Brew and described Miles’ sound on that like some kind if warlock’s ladle mixing the cacophony potion. This album is the opposite. Laid back, subtle and beautifully intertwined. This band is so so tight. My favorite of Miles’? Maybe not so wont give it full rating but damn the playera on this are good.
Really enjoy this style of music when I’m in the mood for it.
One of Miles best albums from the Bebop era
The title says it all.
nice and simple
Incredible marriage of composition, arrangement, performance, and recording. Cool as fuck.
Jazz = shite
Cool album name! However, I'm sure this would be better appreciated by someone else, as I am not a fan of Jazz. For me to enjoy music, I need lyrics.
splendid
smooth yes
Really enjoyed this one :)
Pretty cool stuff
It’s cool but falls a bit flat for me, this one just doesn’t shine man. Would not consider this groundbreaking, just chill jazz 3.6
YEAHHHHHHHHHH miles davis forever
Terrific, this is the essential jazz I am looking for.
Det är jazz. Säkert extremt revolutionerande och nytänkande när det släpptes, och det är trevligt att ha på i bakgrunden, men för ett otränat öra låter det som jazz, rätt och slätt.
I love it! It's all about movement, It's life itself. It's harmoniuous, delicious, rich and varied. It's being in the ocean, hearing and seeing the waves of sound. Marvelous.
There are much more engaging Miles Davis records
Jazz is not really my vibe but this album was upbeat and had a great feel to it.
More Jazz. It's better than I thought but honestly kind of being.
Hmmm I dunno, it's not bad or anything. Infact I think it's some of the best light jazz that I've listened to. I just don't think I'm a jazz guy
Come for miles. Stay for Mulligan. Great stuff .
Drums sound classic Tom and Jerry falling down the stairs. Definitely feels more be-bop and city living busy then the gliding cool of kind of blue, but very intruiging and a lot less deliberately hectic or abrassive than some Coltrane or Thelonious Monk. Makes me love my life.
This record is probably better than I even realize. It’s not really my style of jazz though unfortunately.
Excellent
Not really one for Jazz but this wasn't too bad. As background or lift music or out for a meal it works. Foreground it's a different story
- Extremely pleasant way to pass 32 minutes. Fun, lively, relaxing jazz. - No real standouts, though I will fully admit that I was not listening to this with a great deal of concentration. In many ways a perfect album to put on while doing something else because you will be happy with whatever 5 seconds pass from the periphery to the front of your consciousness.
Sounds like monsters inc
Awesome. Love Miles Davis
Gotta admit, liked Bitches Brew more
It’s definitely cool, I’ll give it that.
Great stuff before Miles when all experimental modal free jazz.
I don’t listen to blues music very often , but this is nice. I couldn’t tell you anything specific about it, but I think I will add this as someone I listen to.
you've heard it here first folks, Miles Davis gave birth to cool, and i will take no arguments against it.
You like jazz (pt2 electric boogaloo)
Birth of the cool is to the recent string of albums on the project what Only Built 4 Cuban Linx is to Clairo’s discography
I need to listen to this one a few more times
Really good, completely changed my perception of miles Davis, beforehand I only known kind of blue which has slower jazz which I enjoy less. "Move" is a really good introduction
Date: 07/14/2026 Artist: Miles Davis Album: Birth Of The Cool Year: 1957 Style: Vinyl, LP, Album, Compilation, Mono Number: 192 Familiarity: Aware (2) Rating: 3 Before: ======= Wow, two Miles Davis in a row. Yesterday I had Birth Of The Cool which liked a decent amount and gave a 4. I see there are 4 albums from him on the list and by policy only 3 are allowed so at least one of them is going to get a low rating for suitability. Maybe this one as I see it is a compilation which is discouraged, also by policy, though that one has not been formalized, yet. And I do make exception, for instance Stereolab has several compilations and I would consider them for this list as in my opinion they work as a cohesive whole. During: ======= I'm 8 tracks in on Birth Of The Cool now and I'd have to say that it's definately working as a cohesive whole as in it pretty much all sounds the same to me, but that's how jazz is, imo. I did give Kind of Blue a 4 but will probably give this one a 3. After : ======= Yep, I was over it by the end, and it's only 32 and half minutes long. It would be fine as background music in the right setting.
If peeing your pants is cool then call me Miles Davis.
I didn't realize I hadn't heard this one before, and we don't have it! It's definitely more traditional and upbeat than Kind of Blue
Delightful album. Amazing musicianship. But the songs sound more like the end of an era than the beginning. They reflect an irrepressibly positive jazz that dominated the form until Coltrane & Davis explored much darker, more serious vibes in the albums that were to come. Still, the music is lovely and the playing is top rate. A 4.
I dig Jazz. I dig Miles. I dig other Davis albums more than this. But it's still a five. I mean just the album title itself is worth a star.
FACILE E PIACEVOLE DA ASCOLTARE. NON RIESCE A SFUGGIRE DAL GIRONE DELLA MUSICA DI SOTTOFONDO. LE TRACCE SONO TUTTE SUFFICIENTI (FORSE PERCHE' SONO TUTTE UGUALI) MA NULLA DI PIU'. MI PIACE VEDERE L'ALBUM COME UN'UNICA CANZONE. SE FOSSI UN MUSICISTA LO ASCOLTEREI CON UN'ALTRA PROSPETTIVA. E CUCINIAMO QUESTO PIATTO ALLA RATATOUILLE. E GUARDIAMOCI QUESTO FILM VELOCIZZATO IN BIANCO E NERO. E CENIAMO IN QUESTO LOCALE CHIC. 3/5
A cool jazz album, doesn’t need to be much more than that. Didn’t hang around a long time, didn’t complicate things, just came inc was great and left. Loved the composition and the bright sound. Miles Davis one of the great jazz trumpeters of all time and this is a strong compilation album of his.
Compared to other groundbreaking Miles Davis' albums, this is not cool at all...
Lovely jazz when the mood hits.
Awesome jazzy boppin for a lively ride to work! A little too busy and jazzy for easy listening but it's much more accessible than Kind of Blue (the only Davis album I've tried before this one) Strong 7
As is usual for Miles Davis, it makes me feel rather intellectually inadequate.
I like Jazz, but I don't love it. It is chill lounge music, that sounds mostly the same to me. This is no exception to that. This one is especially stereotypical.
Chill background music, but not interesting enough to actively enjoy it as an album.
I feel guilty for rating all the jazz 5. But what IS on the list is well curated. And the book has a bias toward Miles Davis. I have no problem with this at all. I think I can count myself a fan. From his hard bop period that isn’t included to Sketches of Spain, which likewise is not in the book to this album to Kind of Blue to Bitches Brew all the way to Miles in Paris in 91 that has an iconic performance of Human Nature. Yeah. I love Miles Davis. Albums in the book and out of it. He often gets a 5 in MY book. Boolean: True
i enjoyed it but it's not something i'd listen to on a regular basis
I respect the artist but I just can’t get behind music that sounds like it belongs in the background of a Charlie Brown or Tom and Jerry cartoon. This is good for what it represents. There really is no other in that sense but I just can’t make it through complete songs. My rating is based on quality not the music
jazz
Boring ass jazz with a song named Israel. Zero stars if I could.
Chill and smooth cool jazz to relax to, as expected. It's probably the least individually remarkable out of the Miles Davis albums I've listened to, but the vibes are still great. Nice in the background but not a whole lot to unpack.
This album had jazz that sounded like jazz from monsters inc, cowboys Brooo and Star Wars all at once, this album was beautiful now I see where all these movies and anime got some of their influence from.
miles davis before he was miles davis i guess.
Favourite Songs: Move
Such e refreshing album! I felt jazz was underrepresented here, but now I gladly got a nice break to just relax, not trying to find some emotional state. It was all so good, I can’t even pick some favourites like I usually do, this album is worth it as a whole. But I guess if I have to pick a top 3 it is: Moon Dream, Rocker and Jeru