Reviews (page 6 of 14)
I really like this, but I'm struggling with how to rate it. like, it's entertaining to listen to and very cool indeed. musically delicious and satisfying at the same time, would I ever seek this out as something to listen to? jazz rarely fits into my life so how I typically rate albums on here (how likely I am to relisten) doesn't work on this as well. I landed on 4 stars because it's pretty much a 5 star album that I don't want to listen to
Awesome jazz album. Feels generic but probably because it is so influential.
Not my favorite Miles album, but even then - it's pretty damn good.
Another excellent Miles Davis album
Every Miles Davis album we’ve had has been superb and this continued it
This got me reading up on the origins of the slang, "cool", which is attributed to 1940s jazz. This album sett a milestone for the specific genre of "cool jazz." Tt's interesting to listen to the albums that precede an artist's magnum opus (in this case, Davis' Kind of Blue), as you can see the toeing the line of classical music (and though relaxed, cool jazz has the seriousness of classical) and something else, something new - that though there are intricacies in the composition, there is more improvisation, and at times, more emotion. I see Davis buliding the foundation for these complexities and emotions in this album. Perfect for sipping a coffee to, writing to, or just daydreaming to.
what a random album to pick, Blue Note was already in its heyday by 1957 and 'Round About Midnight came out the same year which is much better. Either way, still a good album. Starts off on an unimpressive note, and while none of the songs on the album are really memorable, Godchild and boplicity are highlights. 3.75 rounded to 4
Oh man. More Jazz? I'll do my best, but I'm just not sure what I'll have to say. It's always fine, and it always has sophistication that my ears apparently are too stupid for. Listening Notes: -Yep sounds like Jazz -Moon Dream has a slow, languid feel I like Review: I really wish I had something to say about jazz stuff. I don't. I can recognize its influence everywhere, and it always sounds fine. It's clearly a unique contribution to music that American culture (notably, African-, and Jewish-American culture) is rightly proud of, but its more opaque to me than any other music. Not having lyrics doesn't help. Since I perceive this as a deficiency of mine and not of the music, I will continue to give every jazz album 3 or 4 stars until I know what I'm supposed to get out of it. This seems good relative to the other jazz. So 4 I guess?
This is great jazz. Unfortunately for it, I am of the opinion that jazz music only functions as background music and this did nothing to dissuade me of that fact.
Me hubiera gustado escuchar uno de estudio y no uno recopilatorio. Dicho esto, muy bueno. Miles Davis es lo mas grande que hay. No es mi disco favorito de él pero lo escucharía sin dudas.
Very jazzy.
oh i do love to tap my toe and wag my index finger why does it feel like the trumpet has words coming out of it and i can understand it? (i didnt get enough sleep)
I love the Monster's Inc soundtrack
Before: Woot. Miles. It's not one of the miles records I've listened to a lot either. Should be fun After: a really interesting stage for miles. Not my favourite but still great. More energetic than [x]'in with records, and much much more than the modal stuff. The tone is still there though. It feels a little bit more arranged. Slightly closer to a count basie band or Ellington etc. There is still mikes' slightly classical feel somehow even though it's quite bebopy.
The birth and ever-presence of cool, Miles Davis. What a fantastic, quick glimpse into the genius that is Miles. This record is such an easy one to listen to, keeping the attention high and just generally putting me in a good mood. The brightness of the record shines and it just sounds like the band is having a great time playing together, basically a recorded jam session. This is a fantastic album.
Great
Really is a cool album. Made me go looking for more Miles!
Every time I listen to capital J "Jazz" i wonder if this will be the listen in which I "get" it. I don't! I play music and I don't really understand what the fuck is happening in jazz, I usually trust that if the jazz I'm hearing has made it to me it has passed several quality checks and must be Important. So I feel weird putting a number on this! I think it moves way more than Kind of Blue, which I've heard way more and bought on vinyl once to look smart. It's probably perfect but I have no way of knowing, so get wrecked, jazz, i guess.
Норм джазец, но не лучшее от Майлза
#9 Birth Of The Cool ~ Miles Davis It's some good jazz that has started to evolve out of the era of bebop to prioritise feeling over technique. Miles Davis started out his fame by taking over the rapid fire fingers of Dizzy Gillespie in the Charlie Parker Quintet and became well respected as a virtuoso of the trumpet equal to Gillespie almost immediately. But as years past, Miles was looking to expand and redefine his sound, no longer interested in being another Gillespie, but like him a pioneer of his own sound. Birth Of The Cool represents this attempt to deliver this new sound. Distinguishing features? The sound of this album is incredibly smooth and laidback compared to prior bebop albums. Solos are less flashy and feel more like breathes of fresh air through the haze of the jazz orchestra. And emphasise of 'jazz orchestra' because the arrangements of these songs are well thought out so that the sound of every trumpet, trombone, French horn (yes there's one in there), tuba (yes, also that), alto sax and baritone sax is taken into consideration and paired in different ways to elicit sounds of different timbres throughout each standard, or arranged in a fugue-like manner to propel the music forward like an oiled machine. If you are thinking this is sounding a lot like classical music, you would be correct, because this is basically the concept of classical orchestration, particular the impressionist or spectralist era of classical music: the creation of 'new sounds' via the blending of old. This is what gives Birth Of The Cool that very velvet sound: how each instrument interacts with one another in difference of pitch, volume and timbre. The relative slowness of each song helps drastically to highlight this 'new' sound of bebop jazz, as it basically puts Miles innovations forefront rather than the technique of the trumpeter. This is just a very solid album, and another good selection of songs for any jazz lover, or perhaps someone new to jazz to lay back and soak in the sound. If there was only one criticism, there's no big catcher song, it's all very neat and pretty but no earcatcher. It's just a well-done jazz session, which may be inconsequential for someone in tune to jazz, but might be a hard pill to swallow for a newcomer. Verdict: Birth Of The Cool, Birth of a Sound
This is more like it! I like the more structured jazz band set up. Not stressful but still talented.
This is such a strange album in Miles’ discography. Not squarely cool jazz but also not squarely bebop. It’s not like an album doing two sub genres at once is particularly novel, but it’s not something I associate with Miles. Overall, it's punchy, fun, and a good taste of what was to come. Favorite Song: Move/Rouge 8/10
Favorite Track: Moon Dreams
This sound always puts me in a good, relaxed mood.
cool jazz
Not in my Top Ten of Miles‘ albums
such a fun listen. his mastery of his craft on full display
Thank you Miles, very cool!
This album is definitely cool, as expected from Miles Davis. Really cool, chill vibes throughout.
In the Canon of course. Only a 4 personally because it would be bullshit to say I appreciate jazz enough to make it a 5.
He really birthed cool
I'm a fan of Miles Davis' later work in hard bop rather that cool jazz, but hard to not see how brilliant and influential this was
An album for a winter evening.
Cool 😎
sounds like a great jazz (good to be on the background but it has soul) so far 4/5 final thoughts 4/5 didnt dissapoint
Cool
Cool beans
Incredible for its time. Miles Davis walked so others could run.
own
This is not my usual kind of music, but is undeniably brilliant and it's influence across much of the music that has been released since is evident. Did enjoy this actually, very very cool. Very nice to study to.
Ech fends eifach crazy wie guet ond schnell mer cha Trompete oder Bass spele. Au söscht geds met mim begränzte Jazz wösse nüd gross uszesetze osser dass es ergendwie dör die gleiche Instrumänt emmer öppe gliich tönt.
Well... I wasn't expecting it to be as "COOL" as it actually sounded. Touche Mr. Davis
It's the quintessential jazz album for me among a few others my dad used to listen to. It holds both and special place and up. It's a classic piece and it's splendid.
++: Move, Jeru, Moon Dreams, Venus De Milo, Budo, Deception, Rocker, Israel, Rogue, Darn That Dream +: Godchild, Boplicity 9,4/10
Great Jazz Record. I think this record will get a few good spins during this coming summer. It was really smooth. It flows really effortless. (4.5/5.0)
Great, enjoyable, not his best.
today is somehow very hot and although i am indoor with the air conditioning blasting overhead, i still need some very cool (in a lot of sense) stuff. 4/5
Sometimes the album doesnt match the day and it hampers my enjoyment. Today was not that day. I sat in the grounds of a castle in Ireland, in the blazing sunshine reading a book and letting this beautiful jazz wash over me. I don't know enough about jazz to critique this or say why its good but i loved every second.
Always love Miles.
Love this style of old short jazz takes. Listened to a lot of this when in jazz band back in the day. Not my favorite Miles, but still classic for its time.
Enjoying this now than I expected - between a 3 and a 4, rounding up because I think I’ll need to listen some more to appreciate it.
Really chill for the most part, feels like a lot of the songs are based on familiar-feeling themes. Moon Dreams is an obvious highlight.
i love jazz! this is awesome. “moon dreams” was probably my favorite. always appreciate a good instrumental album. 4/5.
Exceptional
Great jazz album.
classic
I'm going to be listening to this more. Really good, complex, and complete feeling.
Probably the most appropriately named album on the list. A glorious combination of melody and texture, with just a hint of the experimentalisation that would follow. Considering this music is more then 70 years old it totally stands up. Can't give a 5 and Davis went on to develop even further, but as far as 50s jazz goes, pretty much perfect.
Very relaxing music to have going on in the background.
Legendary and emotional
It's a fun album, but as a huge fan of Miles Davis not my favourite of his. It doesn't have the cool slink of Kind of Blue or the manic energy of Bitches Brew. But it's still Miles so it's still great.
Yes, classic!
A classic. Glad I listened.
I love this album. I've listened to this so many times I'm surprised the grooves are still on the record. It's not Kind of Blue, it's less engaging than that but it's more of a 'play in the background' kind of album. It's super short, loses points for that but that may have been a result of the limitations of the time. I mean Miles Davis is one of the best ever, and he's definitely done better than this record. But still, even Miles Davis's run of the mill record is better than most. 4/5
Terrific record!
Cool Jazz Landmark album which introduced the more restrained, arranged and cerebral cool jazz style. Compiled tracks from sessions with a nine piece nonet recorded between 1949 and 1950 yet released in 1957. 7.0
Kino.
Uma ótima introdução ao jazz moderno ! Basicamente uma apostila resumida de tudo que você pode esperar do gênero apropriadamente entitulado "Cool Jazz". Curto Miles, bastante, então sei que ele tem MUITO mais a oferecer. Esse album é histórico e importantissímo, mas sei que vem Jazz melhor pela frente. 4/5
Big fan of this, started my day perfect
Just from the first few songs, this is a great album. I don't always love Jazz but this is cool! Good, solid Jazz music to listen to when working on homework, walking, or relaxing maybe reading. Good rhythm.
Not my favorite Miles
Very cool indeed, title does not lie.
Trumpet time!!! I'm in need of some jazz to chill to this is timely Have I moaned about star rating lately bc. This is so nice to listen to but I have nothing to say about it? I can tell this is really good!!! I can't like pay attention to it tho like idfk 4 stars ig
A great listen. Marks a polyphonic melodic development in the history of jazz. Short, peppy tracks for the most part. Miles and his band cooks, as usual. 4.5/5
I don't like this album as much as I like his modal stuff, but it's still a pretty decent one. 3.5/5
I've had a hard time with many kinds of jazz, and also Miles Davis. I consider this a personal failing. However, I did really enjoy this one. I think it's the shorter songs that really did it for me in this case. 3.75/5
classic jazz record.
if peeing your pants is cool, consider me Miles Davis
Some very listenable jazz. It's early period Davis, so it lacks the experimentation of his later albums.
I have been revisiting the compilation series of albums Rebirth of the Cool lately, which are great if you fancy some mid-nineties jazz electro. This album is great. I never reach for it but I enjoyed having it on and replayed it, which is always a good sign. Now (a few days later) I couldn't make a single track or hum any of it.
Classic Miles, incredible bops and some great solo moments. On par with sketches of spain imo.
Great way to start this 1001 Albums project! It’s probably not something I want to listen to every day, but I love this album! Definitely very cool!
This is the first album I’ve listened to with only instrumentals, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I obviously enjoyed it but it is my first time listening to something like this so it doesn’t really feel complete for me, even though everything about it was incredible.
This was a really good cool jazz album. Some big jazz hits on here and some chill moments. Not the most impressive or standout of all time but certainly very great. 4/5
Just solid, relaxing Jazz.
Not qualified to talk about jazz so won't, but it was a enjoyable album. I prefer later offerings from MD.
I don't know enough about jazz to give a detailed review, but Miles is always magical.
Shocked how much I enjoyed this one, energetic burst of energy. Gives me a certain spring in my step
# Album Name: Birth Of The Cool # Artist: Miles Davis # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: This album was cool. I enjoyed it as a whole. # Top Tunes: Whole album is worth a listen in its entirety # Would I listen to it again? Yes
I'm a total Jazz poser, but this album is definitely cool. If I understood Jazz better, it might get a 5.
I have known a couple of tracks on this record for years, so it was cool to finally hear the entire thing. It’s not full of standouts all the way through, but it still has such a great sound to it and “Israel” still has one of my favorite saxophone solos ever recorded.
Miles is always great 4/5
פעם ראשונה שומע אלבום גאז שלם ואהבתי
can’t go wrong with some great jazz on a sunny morning
A nice album. I enjoyed it. It’s hard to make music like this now. It ages really well.
Can't think of a better album to have playing in the background while I got my classroom and assignments ready to go for the week. Upbeat, catchy, and smooth as hell. Might even go ahead and listen to it again since its short and sweet. As always, still learning the difference between 'Good' and 'Great' jazz, but this is Miles Davis and has been touted as a groundbreaking moment in the jazz scene, so its gotta be in the Great category, right?
In my music listening history, I’ve only dipped my toe into the world of Jazz. I’d focused mainly on the work of three artists John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis. Birth Of The Cool is one of the albums of Miles that I’d checked out with my Jazz curiosity. I really enjoy the around three minute runtimes on each of the songs. I’m also a sucker for a stand up bass. I can’t speak intelligently on Bebop vs Cool Jazz or the importance this record had at the time. I just know I do enjoy it, so I’m giving Birth of the Cool a strong 4. 4/5
Nice jazz album
Det er interessant å høre på tidlig Miles Davis, til og med før Kind of Blue. Innspillingen har en myk og klar kvalitet. Vakkert spilt. Beroligende og samtidig engasjerende.
What's not to like! Accidentally listened to the birth of blue first...
Ok so first of all, it's pretty risky to state that something is "cool" publicly, haha. Even if you happen to be right, and folks agree at the time, how long will it remain cool? Is this cool now? Eh. I mean it's jazz, which in my head brings with it a bit of inherent coolness. But not enough. I don't really think this is cool. Right now. Like right now I can picture Al Jolson whistling over this. But it doesn't take much mind bending to retrofit it. In 1957, I can imagine this being pretty cool. Especially if you're in some low-lit, smoke-hazed basement bar late night on some side street in the city. The "birth" though??? Lol. Come on 😅 Cool-factor aside though, Miles Davis is a rock star and this is indeed an excellent album worthy of this list. Just stop marketing things as cool please.
Good jazz
While I prefer Davis’ later, more experimental stuff, this one really holds up among the typical jazz big band(?) swing from the 50s. In particular, the solos and arrangements are supremely done. Every band note is a different unique chord with its own flavor and tone. I would’ve liked to hear the band overall a bit tighter, but perhaps Davis wanted a looser feel on this one. Jazz is what you make it and I appreciate this one nonetheless.
Deilig palate cleanser. No comments.
really good
Very familiar as I own this one on vinyl. Smooth.
For me, this is what I thought classic jazz would sound like. It is cool and if anyone tells you different they're too young to understand. My younger self would have passed this by, but if I see this record for sale, I'm adding this to my collection. Definitely, in essential territory.
Miles always had the best album names.
A pretty solid Jazz album. I feel like it would be a lot better with fewer but longer songs like his later albums do. I don't think that 3 minutes is really enough time to explore this ideas thoroughly enough. Low 4.
Everyone say thank you to miles Davis for inventing being cool
Jazzy
cool as hell.
Loved this. One of the true jazz masters at his best.
Loved this. Complex yet accessible. Exciting.
After the first one I was hooked, though I think that was also the best track of the album so it set crazy expectations for the rest. It was still real good stuff.
Интересный джазовый альбом, хорошо подходит под определённое настроение. 7 из 10.
If peeing your pants is cool, then consider me Miles Davis
pretty good, I love me some miles. not my fav miles album by any means.
I think the thing with jazz, more so than most other genres, is that listening to it is very much in the moment. So while I don't really remember much from this album after listening to it, it was great while it was on. This album in particular is historically important as well, given that it basically started the whole Cool Jazz sub-genre. It does feel a bit far away from what Dave Brubeck would be doing later on, but I'm not really prepared to make an argument one way or another. All I can say is I liked listening to this and would listen to it again.
31/1089 - I never could get into Miles Davis. He for sure is an important person in jazz music, being a pioneering many styles (cool jazz, modal jazz, fusion, etc.), but his trumpet technique wasn't as good compared to his contemporaries, and I personally prefer proficiency a lot of the time over "new sounds." That being said, this album was influential to jazz and enjoyable to listen to (despite some occasional rhythmic sloppiness in the large ensemble).
Jazz is awesome :D
cool really was born w this album. 4.5
Jazz is never anything but "simple." It's hard to believe this is almost 70 years old, almost 15 years before I was born. And yet, it is definitely something I find myself gravitating towards. A number of the songs seem kinda short, to the point. But I imagine live, the songs were stretched out greatly. And I mean... come on, it's Miles Davis. Top tracks: "Budo," "Boplicity"
Miles may have not of fathered Cool, but he was there at the baptism. Nice early, if not tame, Miles
I don't even like jazz
Although I wouldn't consider myself a jazz/bop enthusiast or a specific fan of Miles Davis, I understand that this was one of the early fusions of bop and big band that came to be known as cool jazz. Nevertheless, I found these songs to be quite catchy, featuring many great hooks and outstanding instrumental performances that draw you into the music. For a collection that wasn't initially intended as an album, the songs are arranged well together, creating a truly enjoyable and fun listening experience. I particularly liked "Venus de Milo," "Boplicity," and "Moon Dreams." This is a great starting point if you're looking to delve into the artistry of big band bop/jazz.
Jeru Boplicity Israel
Birth of the Cool is a solid listen from start to finish, with a smooth, laid-back vibe that’s easy to enjoy. Nothing in particular stood out above the rest, but the overall experience is still great. A good album that lives up to its name.
Not the most cohesive album, but then it’s not designed to be. The title suggests exactly what was going on. This album will always have a place in jazz history.
classic jazz album what can i say
I like a jazz album as much as the next guy
7/10
Not being much of a jazz lover I was surprised how enjoyable it was. Will listen to more
Who am I to rate Miles Davis 4/5. Oh well, it’s a 4/5.
It's a great album, but I don't find myself returning to it often.
Really solid jazz record. Miles Davis is one of the greats for a reason.
Cool
Disfrutado una noche de día de mucha lluvia caminando solo por la calle
Oh, now this is jazz that's melodic enough for me to actually get with. Feels a little disjointed at times thanks to being a compilation, but yeah, enjoyed this a lot.
Truly the birth of
Would listen again - a truly most pleasant surprise. Maybe in my old age, I’m becoming comfortable with the idea of treating jazz as a journey and not a destination. Favorites: Moon Dreams, Venus de Milo, Israel.
Solid jazz album
Our seed is savage for picking Miles Davis, arguably the most famous trumpet player of all time, right after Hugh Masekela. USA! USA! USA! But what a random album to pick, Blue Note was already in its heyday by 1957 and 'Round About Midnight came out the same year which is much better. If Silver Horace doesn't come up before the end of the year, I'll be fussy. Either way, still a good album. 4/5
This was a really cool album to check out, especially knowing the tracks were recorded between 1949 and 1950. From what I’ve learned, this album was a key part of starting the ‘cool jazz’ movement. Cool jazz was a response to the energetic big band bebop sound of the time. It’s more minimal, restrained, and laid-back, making it a smooth and relaxing listen. For its time, this was a big shift in jazz, and it’s fascinating to hear how it all started.
If peeing your pants is cool then call me Miles Davis. 4 stars
If peeing your pants is cool, consider me Miles Davis! Some earlyish Miles Davis, and another jazz album with that striking big ol bass in the background. Idk if it was the birth of it, but it was certainly cool.
Great listen.
So What 4.4 Freddie Freeloader 4.2 Blue in Green 4 All Blues 4.5 Flamenco Sketches 4.2 Score: 4.26
title is apt - jazz is cool, miles davis is cool, this album is cool.
All instrumental. Big band-y upbeat jazz. Each track was really short. A fast and enjoyable listen.
Had to do a little research on this - found it really good just wasn't quite what I was expecting from Miles Davis. I think it's the "cool jazz" vs modal or jazz fusion that I'm more familiar with (granted I'm not a student of jazz and all it's forms). It's not a 5 star for me not because of Miles but because it still has the big band sound that really doesn't inspire me.
Favorite Track: Rocker
Nice!
Very cool
The thing is compared to the majority of jazz albums on here I really see the vibe of this one in full force, like it’s still only been a decade after the war there’s problems with the world but your smiling through and you want something that’s not lyrical and could bog you down, just something nice for the grand old American nuclear family, 4/5
cool piece🤝🏼
This was good. I mean it's really good. But it's also what it is: Jazz. I like it. But it's not something I want to hear every day.
80/100. Impressive and smooth. I usually enjoy more modern jazz records, but this one is superb. Created in 1957, the sound still holds up remarkably well—a true achievement.
Proper jazz
I haven’t listened to a straight jazz album in a really long time. Miles Davis was the best way to bring this back into life.
Took a second but I eventually came to appreciate the perfect density of the album. Loved the few moments where the kick drum distorted. After reading about cool jazz, it was easy to notice elements of big band and more traditional compositions.
Classic Jazz album- I bought this in university expecting another kind of blue and was initially disappointed but had grown on my over the years. Ahead of it’s time and set a template for many jazz albums after it.
Birth of the cool isn’t as cool as teenage cool. A little too big band. But you can hear the music starting to move. And it is still a damn good album.
Love you Miles
Nice...not too wild. Big band-y.
The greatness of Miles is over the course of his long career, he had no interest in creating art that was what was expected by his audience. It may be apocryphal, but the story that a fan approached Miles at a hotel to say that they loved his music, but some of it was too "out there" and if he'll be making more music that fans can "get". Miles' response said it all: "What, I'm supposed to wait for you to catch up?" And that's the power of this essentially compilation album. It's fascinating to hear where he was at this time, especially concerning the sound he was chasing. Here we have more traditional bop, but you can hear that his Magnus opus Kind of Blue was on the horizon. This is special for the time it was created, the musicians playing with Miles at the time, and the simple quality of the songs. A mini-classic.
Cool jazz with hints of bebop lingering on the palate. Bon Appetite!
this one is much better than the other album i previously reviewed from him, effortless rhythm.
12/30/24. Hard hitting Jazz right here, sounds amazing. Each instrumentalist brings it.
solid
swanky and fun. the musical pop definition of "cool" would soon evolve very rapidly huh. This was especially good to practice melee to
Although a great and very important album in terms of history of jazz, it is and never will be one of my favourites. The pieces are short, the solos therefore not so interesting solos. It kind of flows by in a nice way but does not leave a lot to remember. But that is written in 2025, and the situation was surely a completely different one fifty years ago.
Enjoyed the atmosphere of this album. I listened to it while cleaning up the kitchen the morning after Christmas.
Good listen overall, though nothing stood out too much to pick a fave.
A very nice, chill Jazz record. Feels perfect chucking on whilst you're working or having it in the background. Miles Davis is great and this is a solid album!
Smooth free-flowing jazz from Miles Davis. I was surprised to see this was a compilation because the album transitioned from song-to-song so seamlessly.
Non so valutare bene il jazz ma in ogni caso mi è garbato deh.
Definitely know this musician. I do love me some jazz but I can only listened to it for so long. I have heard of this album, not sure if I have listened to it. This is so good. Really wish I was able to catch him alive. Every song is so intriguing.
Third stream classic nonet recording, immensely important in its day, somewhat of a timepiece, as Jazz moved in different directions afterwards, largely due to the influence of a number of these participants
A cool album, nice in the back ground, pretty laid back and enjoyable.
Miles Davis, always an artist!
I dunno, I think I like jazz a bit maybe.
Not my favorite, but still a great album.
ooh miles davis yeah its cool. he wasn't lying
It was Miles Davis's worst release on the 1001 list, but it's still one of the best albums on it.
Приятно
Is there a single missed note on this whole record? If there is, one can't hear it. Still, to be clear, this is far from peak Miles -- it's not Kind of Blue, In a Silent Way, Milestones or any of the great Quintet records. The influence is undeniable of course, and it's a pleasure to hear, if a little on the dry side and museum piece-y. "Boplicity" was among the first jazz tunes one ever loved so there's that, too. Easy 4.
Compiling Davis’ most progressive efforts into the start of the 1950s, there could be no better title for this than Birth of the Cool. Littered with jazz staples such as Moon Dreams and the first release of Boplicity, if finding the transition from Bop to Cool Jazz, why look further than what this album tells you in its title? So, with nothing over three minutes and the recordings preceding Kind of Blue by ten years, Davis’ playing can easily be seen to be fully-fledged, even in the years prior to his landmark albums. He didn’t just birth the cool, he embodied it.
Been listening to this one for years. Great record!
Betyg 4+ (Det svänger ju katten!)
It was awesome, miles davis is awesome.
Very good.. very.. cool!! Honestly, far from the best thing I’ve heard from MD, but really smooth and a great time nonetheless!
is there such thing as being too cool? hold your horses miles!
I do really like Miles Davis and I guess I hadn't heard this album before, being earlier than Kind of Blue. While this was really good, it didn't grab my attention like other recordings of his but overall a 4 for me.
Just Miles inventing a subgenre of Jazz. Not my favorite Miles, it’s still great. 4 stars.
Cool indeed. First time hearing this album. This seems to be pretty accessible during the first listen, but it’s full of complexities that I’m looking forward to exploring during future spins. Amazing instrumentation and orchestration throughout.
Really good.
Lived up to the album title
This is indeed when cool was born
This shit absolutely slapped, Miles just GOES for it.
Brilliant trumpeter. Classic album but for afficionados
Perfect name for this album. Miles Davis is the coolest.
Birth of the Cool is undeniably cool, and a very good example of skilled and accessible jazz. Jeru and Venus de Milo are my favourite tracks, it's quality as background music but also as a focused listen. A solid 4, it's not outstanding enough or lasting with me enough to get a 5 but it's really really good.
Lidt mindre cool end Kind of Blue, men man kan godt høre at det er en forløber for den lyd. Nogle steder er rytmerne dog stadig lidt for hektiske
Sublime.
Far from Davis' best work but still effortlessly cool in a way only he knew.
Maybe I like jazz now
Just quality jazz. Nothing else to say. As someone who only dabbles in jazz, it was interesting all the way through.
Very good. Great jazz album that wasn’t too long, but had great music.
Has sehr guet gfunde, finds aber bitz komisch dem die glich note geh wie fatboy slim. Has au nöd sehr aktiv glost glaub
move mega schöni melodie mega geil arrangiert. sehr cool haha. Jeru tönt wieder meh so big band. aber au nice. moon dreams isch huuere dissonant hey, aber s isch so schön schliichend warm. venus de milo au wieder soo schön arrangiert und so fiin gspielt (sehr cool). budo mit geilem miles solo piano comping geil sax solo so uf chiiiillo. drums au uf chillo aber mit groove. deception wieder super geil arrangierti melodie und d drums gönd mit de kick so geil mit. godchild (göttichind) cute. aber ha d idee vom album checkt es lost sich sehr eifach aber s chan au eifach a eim verbizieh. boplicity isch en haaaarde titel. JA BARISAX TÜÜF. ha freud. israel mega cool (nöd ihm de land). rouge au coooooll. sie hend echt nöd gelogen de scheiss isch extreeem cool. afoch smooth understated geschmeidig. i like. VIAAAAAAAAR
geburt derrrr kühle hahaha drummer gaht dumm suscht ischs ener chli "reduziert" und fokus uf blösomat finds huere krass wie alt das isch, die hend sit 4 jahr kei weltchrieg meh gha wos das ufgno hend und für das findi d ufnahmequalität au uuhuere guet, es isch mega warm und passt zude musig au wenn jz s schlagzüg zB nur verhalte ghörsch ja es isch morge und ich bin müed, drum losi nöd mega aktiv, ich finds huere schön au wenns chli vor sich her plätscheret VIA
i liked this jazz album, the songs weren’t too long but they were really enjoyable, quality music
Fina minnen
If you like jazz, this is great. Good background music, just nice.
As the title says, it's cool. Miles, the legend, one of my favorite jazz trumpet player. I even like the piano track. Love this album.
-ah yes delightful. Not my absolute favorite by Miles but still really good. I’ve listened to it a few times already now and appreciate what jt did for cool jazz as a genre though -Definitely best enjoyed as a cohesive album experience rather than as individual tracks imo -Favorites are Move, Rocker, and Israel
It's all that
i'm cool bc i listen to jazz now
Really interesting and propulsive while staying smooth and groovy throughout.
Nice breakup from the bebop style that Davis was known for at the time. The big band touches make it very interesting
Cool but somewhat unremarkable on the first listen.
I prefer a bit more room for exploration in jazz, and additionally, I generally prefer a more stripped back group. The stylings of and arrangements for the nonet lend this to sound like it still has one foot in the big band era of old, which I like fine enough but is rarely something I want to listen to in larger doses. That said, it’s awesome to pick out the aspects of it that are clearly pushing the envelope for the time. I love the unexpected dissonance in the harmonization of “Moon Dreams” in particular, and although Miles doesn’t sound totally like himself as a player yet (still great, of course), “Deception” sounds distinctly like a Miles composition. “Move”, “Godchild”, and “Boplicity” are additional highlights for me. I think Konitz, Mulligan, and Roach shine in particular, and I loved discovering that both J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding were featured in separate sessions years before recording their duet albums. A light 4 stars for me. 4/5
Really nice textures with the french horn and tuba, but this has never been a go-to Miles Davis album for me.
Love the more intense songs, but that is more a personal taste. all-in-all great
Good jazz album
I liked this way better than kind of blue. Not sure why.
Nice easy listening jazz album, miles Davis always slaps
Very relaxing to listen to while working
Nice jazz
Seminal album. Great playing but not my cup of tea for jazz.
have listened to lots of Miles before but haven’t listened to him this early (pre Kind of Blue) as a bandleader. really lyrical playing. i guess miles was sick of bebop and was slowing things down compared to the bebop standard of playing 1000km/h over super fast chord changes and he wanted to make it less of a “jam” and more like a composition. really interesting and a good listen. shows how much he was experimenting and changing the game in jazz even before he dropped Kind of Blue later on which was a real shift. hard not to give it a 10/10 on the historical importance basis but assuming we’re going off of personal enjoyment i’ll say like a 7/10. enjoyable but i think i just enjoy the whackier side of miles’ discography (and jazz in general) more than earlier more traditional jazz stuff.
A very important jazz album. Not one of my go tos but I'll throw it on occasionally and be happy
It sounds like jazz from the 50s. Still engaging, but more a foundation the further work to re-define jazz for the rest of the century.
I would definitely say this is the best representative for this period of jazz. Fire all over. 8/10 Cool
Album starts with an absolute banger, probably my favorite song on the track. Beautiful solos throughout, loved Boplicity, but wasn’t wowed by anything specific. A lot of the solos felt a bit similar, while they were obviously spectacular.
Birth of the Cool is right
Lovely
Good vibes, I don’t have the most discerning jazz ear
Bombic
"Birth of the Cool" is a solid Miles Davis album, showcasing his early experimentation with a more laid-back, orchestral sound. It's interesting and well-played, but not my top pick from his discography.
Great, but very background.
This motherfucker right here
Loved it. 4/5
Miles davis.
Very cool, very jazzy, very fun to listen to. Four stars.
If someone asked me what jazz music is who had never heard it before I might show them this album. A lot of people say that Kind of Blue is a good album to start with when first listening to jazz. I feel like this one is much more accessible. Maybe Time Out would be another good one, but I think this is a contender. It’s not that it’s like beginner jazz, the musicianship on here is phenomenal. It’s just that it’s all very straight forward songs, they never go anywhere too experimental or weird like other Miles Davis albums.
Really cool (haha pun) to listen to. Moon Dreams was probably my favourite just because it was more ominous/slower paced. But each one was a joy.
I’ve been wanting more jazz! Glad I finally got it. From what I understand, this list generally avoids compilation albums. This makes sense; a compilation album is designed to be incredible. It wouldn’t be fair, and then the list would be boring if it was full of compilation albums. So why this is here is interesting to me. But hey, I’m not complaining. Give me Miles Davis in any form and you know I’m here for it. This is no exception. The man exudes a swagger, a confidence, a powerfulness in his music. Every single track is a masterclass in mood and tone in jazz. Beyond his technical proficiency lies a this emotional being that takes over his sound and produces music that just hits the spot. There really isn’t much more to be said. He’s one of the giants in jazz and music in general, and this is something to marvel at. The only reason it’s getting four stars is because it’s a compilation album and it wouldn’t be fair to give it five. Standout Tracks: Move, Venus de Milo, Budo, Godchild, Rocker, Rogue
Yeah, nice jazz, but not 'Kind of Blue'.
My experience with jazz is minimal. I have listened to "Kind of Blue", by Miles and like that very much. This is a collection of songs that for lack of a better word are "jazzier", than KOB. I still like KOB better, but enjoyed this very much. The musicianship is truly on point.
I prefer later stuff in Miles Davis’ catalog, when he gets more experimental. But this is still a straight up fun jazz record.
I mean, it is pretty cool.
Obviously a great album, but a little basic as far as Miles Davis goes.
If listening to Miles Davis is cool, then consider me peeing my pants. 3.7.
Always a fave.
🎧I don’t really know “cool jazz” from “bebop” or really an other jazz styles for that matter, but what I do know is this is excellent.
Lovely album
Talented. Not my cup of tea, but high quality sounds
Just now learning of the musical genre “cool jazz.” If anyone personifies that moniker, it would be Miles Davis.
He pissed his pants. Adam Sandler told me so.
Pretty damn chill and fun
Hey all you hep cats…dig this! You’re now…hip! Good stuff.
I am generally not a fan of Jazz but I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would, more upbeat than expected
Lovely stuff
Not his best album but still really good.
Fine cool jazz
Coisas boas da maturidade chegar foi a capacidade de realmente achar legal escutar jazz.
*{nod, nod}* That's some cool jazz alright. I mean, I'unno. I'm no expert on what makes this jazz specifically so cool, but it's real good shit, at any rate. Gets me exicted to hear the other Miles Davis that're no doubt on here. Well, excited as I can anyway for an album as cool as this.
Just some cool ol' jazz from one of the best to do it.
Miles Davis giving me hope with Jazz. Another good one from him.
Definitely cool.
Day171 - gimme that cool jazz. i wish i would have got this album on a sunday morning but im glad i got it.
I used to listen to this album on rainy nights, haven't had one of those in a while, but I need to keep this album in mind for the next one.
Cmon now this is beautiful music, you cant even deny it. Even if it’s not your thing or you hate jazz, you can still tell that this is it at its peak. I do feel like you have to be in the right mood/setting for it to hit best though. Now excuse me while I light this cigar.
Laid back, mellowed out, straight up cool fuckin' jazz. Perfect for the golden age of post modern classic jazz. The swing tempos and floaty movements borrow from classical music, calm and composed movements of soloing and bridge sections allow the band to show off a big but it isn't quite a risky move sonically. Miles is notable for dictating jazz with a lot of feeling while keeping it cool to the ear. The Birth of Cool is certfiable gold.
It's Miles Davis, I mean come on. Of course it's good!
Cooooooool Jazz. Squidward would be proud
Classic Miles
Not a real album, sorry. Still cool as hell. Best enjoyed with a glass of whiskey by a fireplace. I had half of that.
The sound of the ensemble is very unique as there isn't often you have this group of instruments. I like the way each provide a different texture to the overall sound. All the tracks are good, the limitation is the shorter tracks not feeling like the experimented too much.
Pretty good, I like this better than the other Miles Davis album.
Favourite song - deception
Very cool indeed
Buen rollazo de Miles Davis y su banda. Parece hacerte viajar a un Pub en el que te encuentras tomando algo escuchando la música de fondo. Es muy cool, quizás ninguna es memorable y eso le resta el poco que para mi le quita valor, por lo demás el sonido aunque suene antiguo, es muy chulo, y tiene todo un swing flipante.
It's hard to imagine in 2024, but when this was released it was something new an different than "mainstream" jazz at the time. Its a great jazz record, even if its not my favorite style of jazz, or my favorite Miles Davis album. It has a lot of great material to come back to.
Lovely jazz album, smooth and light.
Niet zo goed als Kind of Blue Maar wel prima
Great jazz album, reminded me of La La Land (actually the other way around)
Jazz is not always my jazz but I usually enjoy it. And this is no exception. Crisp and dynamic. I'm thinking 4 just cuz there's nothing wrong with it.
Gotta love that trumpet!
4+
Cool Jazz. 4/5
good album
4.5
I don't really 'do' jazz, but enjoyed this. So much I played it twice. Not much meaningful to say about it, but I loved the energy of this, and it feels 'important'.
The perfect music for a sunny spring afternoon. Light touches, short durations and a backing band worthy of Miles. The music leads to internal stories and scenes in your own mind. It's pretty cool when creativity leads to creativity. I've not been BOOZING btw.
Never been big into jazz but this album was great and enjoyable
cool
Le cool est né