Reviews (page 3 of 13)
A great compilation album of tunes recorded in 1949 & 1950 that would go on to define cool jazz.
Perfect album
17/02/25 An easy 5 stars. Proper elevator music, but good.
I was genuinely excited when this popped up. After a couple of weeks of disappointment something that promised to deliver on the "1001 ..." claim. This compilation (released in 1957) of earlier sessions is brilliant. Yes, there ARE better Miles, it doesn't make this one any less fantastic. Easily 5 stars.
I liked it.
Much better than the Beatles
A compilation album that doesn’t feel like a compilation album. Super cool.
5/5 on my music to cook dinner to.
"The trumpet!" - Lou Bega in Mambo No.5. Man I dug this album, and the horns kicked ass. Jazz is a little hit or miss for me, but this did really well, it doesnt fall into the trappings of long-winded songs that all melt into each other. Moon Dreams was probably my favorite, then there is a great energy shift to Budo notlong after too. This is just so cool, as the album title suggests.
That’s some jazzy jazz! I was expecting the horns to be overbearing but all the instruments are really well balanced. Loved it!
I FEEL cool
It's amazing to me that this is the first Miles Davis album to show up on this list. Given the other jazz in here, I would have expected to see Kind of Blue and Bitches Brew as well. Also wouldn't complain if In A Silent Way were to pop up as well... Anywho, Birth of The Cool is among the earlier of Davis' work, and plays more along the lines of what one would expect for late 50s jazz. Perhaps at the time it was revolutionary -- I honestly don't know. Move is a delightful and concise song, where everyone gets a bit of spotlight. Very catchy and singable melody. Moon Dreams is a significant drop in tempo and is almost cinematic in its arrangement. By that I mean it is structured as if it is a narrative story, with conflict arising around the 2:20 mark. Interesting departure from the upbeat Move>Jeru. Venus De Milo is another standout for its extremely catchy melody and conversational Trumpet solos. Honestly everything about this album is so very tasty and wonderful. Davis' trumpet work is top notch (obviously) but more importantly, the compositions are well constructed, catchy as hell, and incredibly engaging for instrumental work. Not to mention the support on here is fantastic. Max Roach behind the kit is a notable standout -- his fills on Move Although I'm partial to his more exploratory later work (especially the jazz-fusion periods) this is some fine fodder for the jazz cannon. One of the easiest 5 / 5 reviews I could give; there really just are no misses here.
Absolute classic. Max Roach for the win. Some of Miles' most joyful melodies. Crucial.
Warm, fuzzy, and oh so jazzy. Great sax & trumpet licks throughout. Gasser made us listen to this one back in the day. Almost perfect or actually perfect.
smooth, great tempo
It's Miles, so 5 stars even if he isn't my favorite. More of a Chet Baker guy, but Miles is still undeniable.
One of the most important albums of all time. Genre-defining, epoch-inducing. Importance cannot be overstated.
very fun, brief, but exciting
A classic for the ages, very jam band
Well the album name says it all. Of note is that they recorded it like a decade before they actually released it, when cool had become cool, that's a nifty OG move.
More jazz, sounded cool but I don't really get it
such great composition and rhythm
so fucking good
Great album to start the new year
Normally I’m against compilations, but a lot of Jazz albums from back in the day were collections of the single song releases. This is such a classic album and is super influential in shaping how jazz would sound. Miles Davis was such a genius and this album is a must listen for anyone. It’s kind of sad to see the average score of this one on the challenge site.
What's cool is this is as much the birth of an idea, an aesthetic, a posture, as it is superb music. Not much to say here - Miles inventing again.
YAYYYY move- 7 jeru- 8 or 9 moon dreams- 7 venus de milo- 7 budo- 7 or 8 deception- 7 godchild- 7 boplicity- 8 or 9 rocker- 7 israel- 7 rouge- 8
Questo è un debutto.......................................
Non c’è molta scelta sui voti qui
We named our kid after this album. Also made my lovely lady, Constance give birth while listening to it. It was a difficult birth and if I’m honest, it never felt the same between me and Constance since the. Cool Bernard Chutney. Born 30.02.98 weighing 14lb 9oz. 4.7
einmal mehr ein wirklich tolles album! ja, es ist jazz. und ja, das muss man mögen. aber hey: mehr als 50 jahre alt und trotzdem so lebendig, stilsicher und mitreissend. wahrhaftig ein meilenstein!
Simply amazing
The goat
just such a total masterpiece lmao. i feel like at least part of the innovations on typical bebop here is the economy, u dont have 11 songs last only a half hour on a jazz record if ur wasting any time at all. beneath the warmth oozing from every horn and all the gorgeous melody lines and the general disarmingly Casual tone that is cool jazz's main subversion of bebop, theres this incessant pulse of urgent, effortful discipline. maybe its an intentional part of the vibe, maybe its just the result of this recording's innovations not being set in stone yet, either way it gives this collection a unique character that still holds up as noteworthy in the larger more developed history of cool jazz. an inspired compilation too...ud never know this was split across three bands and three sessions, the vision and musical fixations are as cohesive as u could ask for
Stating the obvious, this was fucking cool. 5*
Timeless music. Very upbeat and uptempo; great mood lifter. Miles Davis plays impeccably! Likewise, all other musicians' performances are top notch.
There isn’t much I can say about this Jazz classic other than it’s worthy of all the praise it has received over the years. Miles Davis was a trailblazer and a true artist and will forever be studied for his contributions to the music world.
Well, it doesn't get cooler than this. This is one of my favorite pre-1960 Miles albums out of the 1000 he released before 1960.... Budo and Deception are two favorite songs, with Rogue killing it at the end. It's a straightforward jazz album, a great one. A 5 here.
Fabulous. The title says. it.
Incredibly accurate album title
Beautiful - much more flowing and piano-driven than some of his other work.
interesting the birth of the cool was remastered in 200🧐
Honestly think this might be my favorite Miles Davis record - really unusual and creative choices but still uptempo and not fully into “cool” mode (which is great in its own right). Love the instrumentation
Credo proprio che mi piaccia il Jazz
Okay but for real, this is cool
CLASSIC. Living for the City especially but the rest of the album holds up better than I remember too.
Really surprised how much I enjoyed this. Unbelievable album
A mighty fine jazz album. Both very creative and listenable. 4.65
The essence of chill and relaxation. I wasn’t very familiar with the power of Miles Davis. He will certainly be an artist I will return to in the future.
The first of 1001AYMHBYD's four Miles Davis albums. Not sure I've heard this before, actually. I might have, but it's the one out of the four not in my collection. And not the one I'd bring with me on a lonely island - THE record to bring on my lonely island - but it's superb. As this (Swedish) person has put so succinctly before: "I reallice that this is god jazz" It is indeed. I wonder, though, if I should leave some room in my rating. [...] Nah.
let me just express my gratitude to the curators of this list that the golden era of medium-to-large ensemble jazz, the focus of most of my work as a composer-arranger, is fairly well-represented on it! being a composer-arranger is sort of a (somehow) even dorkier version of being a singer-songwriter, so it's always nice to feel like someone is still in your corner. this is some of the most exemplary bebop of its time, truly making a case for jazz as Black American chamber music. this nonet lineup, owing to its warm brass section from trumpet down to tuba, is very easy on the ears, which allows your ears to hear through the old recording fidelity and straight into the beautiful counterpoint and harmonic motion present in all of these tracks. 75-ish years on, I'm still blown away by the sophistication in these arrangements, the bulk of which are handled by Gerry Mulligan, one of the architects of the "cool jazz" sound. Davis is featured prominently on just about every cut, but there's plenty of space for other soloists, including saxophonists Mulligan and Lee Konitz, trombonist J.J. Johnson, pianist John Lewis and plenty more. Gil Evans also makes two appearances here as an arranger on "Moon Dreams" and "Boplicity", foreshadowing many future successful Davis-Evans collaborations which would take place on a much grander musical scale. this may not go for your jugular like a typical big band record, but what this album lacks in volume and intensity, it brings instead in intrigue. this is music that you can't help but pay close attention to; if you're a writer, you'll listen to this record with equal parts admiration and envy. 10/10.
I love jazz. There's nothing else to say.
Just gorgeous.
Loved it, definitely a good night time drive album
Jazz is not one of my top favorite genres, but I loved this album. Its smooth for sure.
10/10. Charted as 'Iconic' or 9.66/10. Every song was added to my playlist. Finding that if there was one musician I had to listen to forever, Miles Davis may be it.
5 estrelas
The literal birth of the post-Bebop movement happens on this record which also kicks off the first of many collaborations between Davis and Gil Evans. This is not my favorite Davis album, but such a key moment in Jazz that it can't be anything less than 5/5.
My favourite jazz album, probably spun in its entirety once a quarter. There isn't a track I dislike - the arrangements are still fresh and interesting today, with nothing overly long or short. Rouge is a particular standout, penned by John Lewis; it never bores me. I've got Louis to thank for introducing me to this album - it is indispensable in the world of jazz!
The birth of peak, miles davis tkm
Groundbreaking sound from Miles and a host of talented jazz musicians, including Max Roach, Lee Konitz, JJ Jonsin and Kai Winding. The nonet shines in tunes such as "Move" and "Venus de Milo".
David always delivers. Great chilling out and drinking a beverage music
This is delightful. Smooth and easy to listen to. Doesn’t amble pointlessly. Jazz-tastic.
This was great. Absolutely loved it.
Amazing, I need to listen to more jazz, loved every song.
Yes
It's Miles Davis what more can I say
Amazing album. Miles Davis has a distinctive musical genius.
amazing album. 9/10
classic! Favorite track: Moon dreams other picks: move, Venus de milo, rocker, boplicity
Album 517 of 1001 Miles Davis - Birth Of The Cool (1957) Rating : 5 / 5 I do love my horns. Some awesome music to begin the day. Again, these older albums rate differently than those that came a few years later. Anytime is a good time for this album. Maybe not a funeral...but I think you know what I'm trying to say.
I love it! Will add it to my music for work playlist
if you were to tell me that, prior to 1957, cool did not exist, and that it was, in fact, born with the coming of this album, i would absolutely believe you. what that man didn't know about cool wasn't worth knowing - and what he didn't know about moving the soul when he blew that horn...well, that's a real short list
Thank you Miles, very cool!
Epic. GERRY MULLIGAN 🎷
A pure triumph of cool.
Very cool, very cool.
Smooth and fast right out the gate.
Very very good
I'm starting to appreciate Jazz.
Amazing album, beautifully sounded/
Classic jazz album! Crazy to think about what Davis went on to do with Bitches Brew, but can appreciate it all!
Cool jazz. Loveyit!
My ear isn’t tuned for jazz but I can’t imagine it gets any better than this!
Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5
Yes, it is Interesting to learn most of them are not Davis' arrangements and that they were all just hanging out. The instrumentation is so unique and lends even more to the lyrical harmonies of the album and the future of Cool Jazz
Embora não seja o tipo de jazz que mais curta nem meu álbum favorito do Miles Davis, acho impossível não dar 5 estrelas para esse disco.
this was absolutely fantastic. Just absolute joy everywhere. it's no wonder that miles davis is considered one of the greatest to ever do it -- putting jazz on the map for so many types of people and doing it absolutely flawlessly. timeless and beautiful!!!
An excellent easy listen. Certainly lives up to being "cool" with its sound. There's inherently something cool about all jazz in my opinion, and this is an excellent showcase of fantastic jazz. A must listen for anyone who appreciates older music
From what I understand, this was a bunch of singles recorded over an extended period of time. And by the time it came out it was already past the height of Cool jazz. This album is very well packaged. The songs work conceptually and play very easily into the others. The band is on fire and Miles is devastatingly good. Also I love the fact that I got jazz on a Friday!
Yup. That is all my friends. Yup.
Love it!
Probably no surprise that I’m at a 5. I’m not gonna be verbose about it: this is a really fucking good jazz album. Every composition here is really well done, and I enjoyed the entire runtime. Not a single lull for me, nor a single miss, or even a single problem with the mixing or production, which is a little wild for a 50s album. I fell into a deep bliss during that, which makes me really terrified for whenever we get Kind of Blue, because this album has already set a high bar for me, and I know the critical acclaim that Kind of Blue has. Regardless, this is just a spectacular album to me, and I’ll easily come back to this often as studying music or reading music. It’s very deserving of a 5.
5 stars by virtue of being miles davis
Coolness abounds indeed!
This is probably the most accessible jazz album from this era that I've listened to. The songs are creative and musically impressive, but without challenging the listener too much with complex time signatures. On here I like Move, Moon Dreams, and Rouge the most.
Wonderful
Not my favourite miles davis album, but still an absolute jazz classic of course. A masterclass in melody and harmony.
The best of all time.
This is an album that does exactly what it says on the tin. Effortlessly cool, without being arch. The recordings on this date from 1949 and 1950 but sound vibrant and fresh. A perfect place to start for anyone who thinks that jazz is not for them.
This is a killer. Definitely cool, insanely good. The truth is, anything Davis did deserves 5 stars.
They don’t call this Birth of the Cool for nothing. What a fucking classic
This probably was the birth of the cool to be fair. 4.5/5.0: Excellent
Spectacular.
HE DEFINED COOL.
It’s Miles Davis! If there were 6 stars, I’d award it.
A smooth, beautifully crafted album. A far cry from Miles' more challenging stuff, but infinitely pleasing to the ears. Fave Songs: Moon Dreams, Budo, Move, Rocker, Jeru
Smooth
Very soothing and great jazz!
Wow was that album good
That Miles Davis is something. Perfection. 5/5.
So. Damn. cool. Dreamy, melodic, powerful. Jazz in the days of old Chicago, pencil skirts, and offers you can't refuse.
Landmark album
Absolute classic. Miles is more revered for his later work within modal and jazz fusion, but this is a good showcase of why he was already the best tooter in the early 50's.
It earns it's name.
Tonality that no one musician would touch with a 10-foot pole, and Miles Davis and his friends make this one of the smoothest sounding albums ever??? Incredible. I honestly could have done without the last track. The singing is just not up to par with the rest of the instruments. Favorite song: Moon Dreams
Genius level stuff.
Воу, круто.
Not quite Bitches or Blue, but still a fantastic Davis record
Masterpiece
Absolutely wild improvisation, I think this is a great entry point for Jazz
Miles Davis is jazz. The king of jazz. Absolutely a incredible album.
i'm not a huge jazz guy, i would say i am somewhat jazz inclined, but not widely interested. this is my preferred style of jazz - especially the more uptempo bebop style jazz. obviously the musicianship is phenomenal and i appreciate that nothing goes on for too long (a problem i have with a lot of the longer-form jazz). thumbs up from me!
Not my style of music, but really enjoyed this album. Was very easy to listen to and not quite as frantic as some jazz is to my untrained ear. The quality of the instruments is very impressive.
Move is a hell of a way to open an album.
I played saxophone through middle and high school, so listening to big band music is always a joy for me. I love picking out the different instruments being played, the harmonies they have, the music behind the melodies. Love, love, love.
The coolest of the cools.
Lalaland inspired 😆 v cool ideal for jazzy brunch
Yeah man this might be bold of me to say but you should absolutely listen to some Miles Davis before dying.
It starts with noise. That threw me off and I like. The song gentlemen has a great groove. Really digging this record. Great grooves. Great song writing
In my late twenties, I worked for a couple months at a coffee shop in San Francisco and the owners had a bunch of records they wanted us to play. I'm willing to bet this was among them. The smooth sound, by turns cheerful and mournful, and always in some kind of harmony or call back with itself, takes me right back to muggy afternoons on Divisadero, making coffee for coders frustrated that the cafe didn't have any wall outlets for them to charge their laptops. A simpler, pre-covid world. Album is great! I particularly enjoyed Moon Dreams and Venus De Milo.
Cool jazz
Just amazing! Not overrated no matter how loud the hype and praise! “Move” is a great opener.
Now it's even more classic than before. Miles Davis I have definitely listened to less than I should have. Thanks!
Great start to the day 😎🌞
It's just a fantastic, beautiful album. Full of gentle surprises. It may actually be the very birth of cool. I love it, and I hate Jazz. Wait, do I like Jazz now? Damn.
Cool!
Now this is cool Listened to this on my Morrisons trip Leaving the house listening to move I saw a Honda jazz, I knew from then on the signs were good. And lord was it true, shit had me smiling ear to ear walking to the Alfred and Denny building, Good album - maybe the best I’ve done so far
Bua super chulo y perfecto para el mood en el que estaba. 5
Although I have my own favourite trumpist, this is indeed very cool!
I’m a sucker for jazz, it’s almost always gonna get a 5
One of my all time faves. Could listen for days.
The undisputed greatest-ever of cool and a great early compilation of key steps in his lengthy journey as the dominant 20th-century figure shaping jazz and beyond.
Miles Davis's "Birth of the Cool" is a seminal jazz album that epitomizes the cool jazz movement of the 1950s. The collection showcases Davis's innovative approach, featuring a blend of smooth melodies, intricate arrangements, and a laid-back, sophisticated vibe. Tracks like "Move" and "Boplicity" exude lively energy and showcase Davis's groundbreaking improvisational style. "Moon Dreams" and "Venus de Milo" delve into dreamy, ethereal soundscapes, revealing the album's diverse sonic palette. "Rouge" adds a sultry touch with its atmospheric allure. Each composition on the album reflects a unique facet of Davis's musical genius, combining inventive harmonies and graceful melodies. "Birth of the Cool" stands as a timeless masterpiece that influenced the evolution of jazz, leaving an indelible mark on the genre's history.
It was based
One of the best, if not the best.
S-Tier: Every track.
I love jazz! Awesome music and artist!
Just spectacular. Moon Dreams is absolutely beautiful and in general, this album is an amazing example of melding bepop with more complex compositions and arrangements. It’s a precursor to the explosion of jazz styles that were to come and it’s still thrilling to listen to today.
Whilst I prefer "Kind of Blue", it'd be a crime to give this anything less than a five.
Excellent
I was six years old when this album came out. I think I first encountered it sitting in my uncle's Chevy Malibu listening to his 8 track tapes, probably sometime in the early to mid 1960s. It had an impact on me and ever since I have kept an eye on and an interest in jazz.
Familiar but not delved into. This is a profound deep dive start for me. Glad to have listened.Boplicity and Move were highlights
Fancy brass!
Great. Loved it.
cooler than the other side of the pillow
This is an extremely smooth and enjoyable jazz album, and it is especially pleasant after a stressful and long day. It is a groundbreaking album in jazz since it is truly the 'birth of cool', as the fitting title says.
Loved this
I am not currently in one of my jazz-appreciating eras (2-3 month periods where I am kinda annoying to talk to) but I know enough to give this five stars. Not because it's great or anything but because Miles Davis' ghost is very real and will mess you up if you give him anything less.
How can I be as cool as him ??
good chill jazz ambient
Nice revisit. Dating myself here, but knew it was a 78 from the cover and old Capital logo. Time warp. Amazing how hard the musicians worked at the perfect sound given the relative harshness of their lives then. Jazz is easy sounding and a nightmare to sight-read on a score. These are the guys who invented and cemented it. Thanks for the chance to revisit the bravest of the early movement. Miles was unique.
I'm a huge Miles Davis fan so I'm not very objective about him.
ya like jazz?
Everything about this album makes me happy, from the title, to the songs, to the artistry. Miles Davis was a master at his craft and a forerunner in jazz trumpet. Smooth.
one of the greatest albums of all time.
One of the defining albums of the 20th C.
A classic! Not that I know classic jazz, but it feels comfortable to listen to. I feel more productive when this is on in the background. Plus my jazz-loving brother-in-law speaks of this album in glowing terms.
I own and had listened before but gave me a new appreciation how cool jazz differs from bebop. It's a blend of chill and energy. A good complement to a rainy commute. Will listen again.
Listened to it twice. I guess I liked it. 😁
Another giant.
Loved it! Didn’t think I liked Jazz until I heard this!
Preciouse
Love the more upbeat songs. Some of the slower ones sort of feed my depressive side.
Probably the best Jazz album I have listened to
I could recommend it but I like Chicago jazz, New Orleans jazz or Dixieland jazz/Swing.
I'm more a fan of a smaller combos (trios, quartets, quintets) but this nonet was an assembly of outstanding talent with outstanding results. Davis was a stand-out as might be expected but I also really liked Gerry Mulligan on baritone and Lee Konitz on alto sax. I've listened to a lot of Miles Davis in the past but always skipped over this one because of the bigger band sound. I was only cheating myself, this is some excellent jazz.
daddy Miles cooked up a good sound here.
What else to say about the king of jazz?
He‘s Miles Davis. Nothing to say here. LEGEND!!!! personal top3 in no order: Deception Godchild Rocker
Nice and chill.
Miles Davis is the definition of cool.
Das ist eindeutig Jazz. Find ich auch ganz gut, aber finds immer schwer, so ein Album zu bewerten oder überhaupt am Stück durchzuhören. Nicht, weil ich es nicht gut finde, sondern einfach weil es so schwer zu greifen ist. Es klingt für mich alles recht ähnlich. Ich bin beim zweiten Song („Jeru“) eingestiegen und erkenne dann doch was wieder, eine kurze, sich wiederholende Melodie. Schön. Bin ich durch gewesen? Weiß gar nicht.
Delicate yet beautiful. Very soothing and great to just relax and experience
Another album I already owned so listening was not breaking any new ground for me. I loved it this album before. One of my favourites.
Too short! Awesome album.
Relaxing
If peeing in your pants is cool consider me Miles Davis
I’ve got nothing to say besides Miles Davis expertly produced a cool album of relaxed, smooth, and enjoyable jazz.
I mean, it's Miles!
I feel better listening to this! It’s like a smooth soundtrack to my life at its coolest. I enjoy relaxing on this fall weekend morning and sipping coffee and watching the world move with this on. I get why some people don’t like jazz, but never understand why they can’t like THIS kind of jazz. Just let it wash over you and go about your morning with it on, or listen it it with a glass of your preferred alcohol/tea on a quiet night in. Beautiful.
Automatic 5.
Classic era Miles. A perfect introduction to him.
This was the perfect album to listen
This album is part of my soul.
Miles don’t miss.
Its exactly what you'd think cool Jazz by Miles Davis!
Greatness on display!
Chill, enjoyed doing chores while listening to this, loved the more upbeat and relaxed feel, but not too mellow.
Absolutely fantastic. Beautiful Jazz in a way that only Miles can do. Pure art.
Nice and chillax, v cool
banger jazz album
Perfect.
This is a great jazz album
Boplicity is a fab name for a track. Miles Davis is the coolest cat
Awesome jazz album. I really need to listen to more jazz. Jazz is my reading music of choice. 5 stars
Wow. Six stars.
So cool
Smooth jazz at its finest. Will definitely explore more into Miles Davis after this listen.
flawless
It's good jazz Bront.
jazzy
Great album, not a bad track on the entire thing.
Birth of cool Love the horn arrangements and the harmonys on the melodys. Favorite tunes are Moon Dreams, Israel, and God Child
Another absolute classic. There is a lot I could say about this record too, Gil Evans arrangements are so genius on this, and it’s such a beautiful reaction to what what was going on in jazz at the time.
I LOVE jazz and this is one of my favorite time periods for it. The big band structure with amazing soloists is just the best. These musicians are making art whenever they touch pick up the instrument.
I could listen to him all day! Such an awesome album.
Awesome Jazz. Very easy to listen to while working. Not too crazy, but keeps things interesting.
Ugh this one is good
Amazing, jazz legend.
5. A great example of a jazz album. I'm probably biased since I'm a jazz musician, but it's still great
Super excited! Love Miles Davis but never heard this Album.
Perfect beginner jazz
Sure is cool, effortlessly so; sounds so bright, so elegant. Shimmers. I loved it.
This album slaps from start to finish.
The essence of cool jazz. Little swing and yet miles had many more creative cycles left.
What a fantastic album!! Perfect!
The title is accurate
Can’t go wrong with Miles Davis. 5/5
I mean, it does not get better than this. No comparison.
Can't go wrong with Miles Davis! This one is subdued and really laid back. No tracks really stood out over the others but I didn't pay close enough attention to take detailed notes. I really enjoyed this one!
So cool. Seriously, you could keep a side of beef in this album, thats how cool it is. 5/5
i'm no expert on jazz but i can say it sounds great
Perfect album for dinner or hanging out in the evening
Beautiful.
Cool.
Is this where cool started? Was nothing cool before this? I’d say democracy was pretty cool. Pizza, that showed up before this. But hey, can’t argue with Miles. This is another great collection of studio sessions, further solidifying that the man was the goat.
If smashing the fifth star whenever Miles Davis pops up is cool, consider me the man himself!
Own on Vinyl
Wonderful album!
Definitely cool. This project has opened me to the wonders of jazz.
day 17. this was so good! an instant mood booster, short and sweet with nothing dragged out. I rarely listen to single jazz artists (sometimes a playlist) so I don't really have the knowledge to explain what sets Miles Davis apart, but I'll take everyone else's word for it and make a note to pay more attention :) faves: Move, Boplicity, Budo, Jeru 4.5/5 rounded to 5
upbeat , fast tempo sounds. very pleasant slow/somber notes which don’t feel out of place. feels like the embodiment of it’s time period. may not be my favorite miles davis album , but a great one for sure.
Great album, solid musicianship, short and to the point.
Like it says on the tin. I prefer fucked-up coke-and-wah Miles but this cannot be denied.
Great
I love this album. It’s one of my favorite “just drank a cup of coffee albums.” The opening track “Move” has a great caffeinated energy. I’ve listened to this album countless times and I’ll listen to it countless more times in my life. It’s always a great pick-me-up. A fantastic driving album too. And one of the best album titles of all time too. Sometimes, the phrase “Birth of the Cool” pops into my head and I think, damn what a great title.
Love this. Got a few Miles Davis records but never listened to this. Wish I was around in that era to see this type of jazz in its peak. Often gets a bad rep as musically its allover the place, but thats what I love about it. There’s no containing it, they just go with it. As someone who makes most things up as I go along, I find this reassuring. Always found something really comforting about jazz and Miles Davis in particular. I’ll be adding this to my ‘go to’ list for when I’ve had a shit day
Leaps and bounds better than anyone... You could say he's miles ahead
I understand that this is influencial and innovative but I can't connect to it emotionally. I need to listen to it several more times to let it sink in.
Vad ska man säga? Det är ju Miles.
Classic small ensemble defines a new style of Jazz. Always in my top 20 of essential listens.
Me gusta porque pasa rápido
The opening track sets up exactly how cool this album is going to be. Sophisticated yet relaxing, complex but with enough melody to hang onto; the songs seem to float along morphing from mood to mood. Miles Davis and an all star line up in their prime charting an exciting new path. The Birth of Cool is aces, and is exactly the kind of groundbreaking album this list is for.
Just an absolutely beautiful and perfect record. The classic Blue Note releases are as good as they get.
wicked licks and rapid jazz. dynamite.
With the exception of Kind of Blue, nothing tops this. Birth of the Cool is a flawless album. Intamite and immediate while also challenging
A nice collection of jazz. I prefer his later stuff, but this can't be sniffed at.
Reading other reviews here, some people are confused by the 1957 release date of this compilation. The tracks on this album were recorded in 1949/50 and originally released from 1949 on 10" 78rpm vinyl. The first of Miles Davis' collaborations with Gil Evans, and with Gerry Mulligan, John Lewis and Lee Konitz playing on all the tracks. Beautiful arrangements that are beautifully played.
Very good chilled morning music. Would be perfect with a coffee on a Sunday morning
Wow! Venus De Milo. I think I'm starting to get this jazz thing.
Not a jazz fan, but I am now.
Classic
Does what it says on the tin. One of the greatest recordings of all time. What more do you want?
Dope!
This album represents a transition between bebop and cool jazz in the late 40s and early 50s. As always, Miles Davis, a master of phrasing and dynamics, is one of the drivers of this change. The music certainly contains elements of both styles ranging from the high energy, virtuosic bebop, to the slower understated cool jazz. This album looks forward to the 1959 releases of Davis' Kind of Blue, and Dave Brubeck's Time Out.
Just incredible, obviously
In the world of jazz this is the album with which I'm most familiar, because when CD players were new it was one of the first CD my dad got.
This is the second Miles Davis album I’ve reviewed. I remember the first one surprising me as I generally consider jazz to be outside the boundaries of what I tend to enjoy, but I rather enjoyed it. I’m excited to listen to more today! Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Jeru, Budo, Boplicity You might be wondering about the very high score. I listened to this album this morning and have been thinking about it all day. This album has changed my stance on jazz. I’ll admit that I haven’t heard much jazz outside of a few albums, but this had got me wanting to find more. There wasn’t a moment when my foot wasn’t tapping and I wasn’t lost in the music, and that is quite the statement considering the genre and my personal preferences. Overall, a definite recommend regardless of whether you are already familiar with jazz or not.
Bello, bello bello. Aiutatemi a dire bello.
Some good music at last!
Definitely lives up to its name. Layers upon layers of the very smoothest jazz, delivered as only Miles and his band can.
What a great talent and mind. Personally think Kind of Blue was his greatest album. This one is right up there.
a lot more listenable than some other Miles Davis albums I can tell you that.
One of my all-time favorite albums. Fabulous.
какими-то мотивами так напоминает светлые смешные советские комедии
A classic through and through. In many ways this defined modern jazz and set the stage for the decades that followed. This is quintessential mood music and a singular achievement. It also is one of the first jazz albums I purchased (a thanks to my Uncle Marty) and has been played consistently since then.
It’s Miles changing music for the first time. Landmark. Beyond that, I’m not qualified to comment, but I will keep listening.
Incredible. Probably the easiest 5 star album so far for me. And that's despite that weird last song that is worth negative 10 stars.
Track 1: Great fast paced start with the horns section rhythm. Awesome light and quick trumpet solo into the sax solo. Incredible speed of the bass on this; the bassline is absolutely moving. Perfect drum fills and solo break. Track 2: Nice pace on this song with the cool off-beat rhythm. Lil Poly thing going on. Incredibly crisp chord changes in the horns. Smooth trumpet solo. The off-beat melody now with the drums are super crispy. Sax solo is good a lil lackluster at times. Once again really tight changes on the ending and slowing it down a bit. Track 3: Slow and beautiful Start. Silky smooth progressions that feel like a walk through a park on a warm dark night. Bassline relaxes a bit in the background and provides just enough to keep a loose structure. Wow incredible note hold by the trumpet, and then busting right into these minor chords. Nice soft finish at the end. Track 4: Very tight walking bassline. Nice soft horn hits on the main section. Light and playful trumpet solo on top. Very airy sax solo but keeps smooth. The off rhythm hits and fills from the drums are great. Track 5: Fast pace song with light kit drums. The runs in the trumpet solo are nice and together. Lightning quick melodies. Great drum fills right at the end. Track 6: Nice trumpet lead on the melody right off the bat. A bit scattered with these solo sections but drums hold it together. Oh lord a very pretty trombone/euphonium solo super slick. Track 7: Incredible main melody led by the low brass and sax line. The drums accompany the horn hits super well. The trumpet joining that low melody line after the solo is a nice touch. Nice reach for the high note at the end. Track 8: Personal favorite song off the album. Great splashy cymbals. The main melody is just so catchy the way they toy around with the notes. The sax solo is just perfectly placed and light on the top. The trumpet solo brings some beautiful airy runs. Piano solo quickly brings it back to the main melody. Song just feels so laid back and relaxed. Track 9: light and playful with the intro melody. Great rises and falls of the song. Trumpet and sax solos were okay; felt a bit forced. Great dynamic shifts in the high and low parts. Track 10: fluid sax right off the bat. Nice 3 over 4 melody line. Trumpet solo was crispy and then slowly fades back into the backing track. Sax solo is an absolute highlight. Good lord the sax runs are insane in this. Was not a fan of the Forced ending. Track 11: clean and smooth melodic line. Nice percussive cutoffs for effect. Best piano solo on the album for sure; perfectly placed. Piano solo goes right to sax with some beautiful fast paced runs. Solo to solo transitions are incredibly smooth. Drums have some nice fills but I wish there was more. Brings back the main melody line at the end. Album is incredible and pretty much individually kicked off the cool jazz genre. I love Miles Davis, and I'll hold the uncommon opinion that this is my favorite album of his.
Miles Davis is truly the goat of jazz.
While I like this album because Miles Davis is a GOAT, it is a compilation album and lacks the unity of a complete, focused album. All the songs are really good, but it just feels as if it is missing that album feel.
Classic, really really enjoyed this look into early davis.
Based
jazz perfection
One of the most important albums in Jazz history.
I love jazz, so that one's is a definite yes for me. -- I really enjoyed listening to it, one of my favourite jazz albums. This kind of music can instantly lift up my mood.
Great ambient sound. One of the classics.
Uvodni miles. I odmah jebeni zakon
One of the perfect trio of Miles’ records.
I really do need to sit down with more albums by some of these great jazz musicians. This album was such a fantastic listen. I will definitely circle back to this one someday and really listen deeply. There's so much subtlety in there that there's a lot you can miss.
Love me some Miles Davis
Assez incontournable merci. On ne réinvente pas la musique tous les jours. Il y a Darn that dream qui me met sur mes gardes à chaque fois. C’est peut-être la seule pièce qui fitte moins.
Short, sharp and punchy as fuck. Listened to it twice through and loved every second.
Five stars. Tempted to deduct a quarter of a point for the vocal jazz on track 12, but really can't complain.
So very good.
It really is cool
Budo, Move, Jeru
Great miles album.