Reviews (page 7 of 14)
I really loved this! This was so easy to listen to, exciting, and refreshing. Plus it was great study music. I love vocals though, so that is why it is not getting 5 stars.
Instrumental albums have to be very very bad before I have nothing to say about them Did not like the surprise vocals in the last song, was a good album otherwise
A tight collection of bebop. The instrument pairing and memorable melodies shine through. It doesn’t speak to the emotional palette the way later Davis albums do, but it is a simple sharp record of songs that could easily be surmised as jazz standards.
Nice jazzy album with great trumpet, trombone and sax solos/improv.
This feels like some dinner jazz I should find really boring, but you know what? It's actually really good. It still remains interesting and doesn't drag on or do the same thing all the way through constantly.
ótimo álbum, pouca versatilidade mas a constância faz as melodias rápidas do trompete se destacarem bem. O timbre do trompete de Miles Davis é emocionante e escuro mas ainda sim consegue encaixar bem em músicas alegres como "move". Recomendaria apenas para um amante de jazz, esse álbum pode ser um pouco monótono e não é uma boa primeira experiencia para alguém que esta sendo introduzido ao mundo do jazz.
Not one's favorite Miles, as this is nowhere near Kind of Blue and even the four great quintet records, which are looser and more fun. Still this is awfully influential, not to mention tuneful, polished and highly sophisticated. More like classical music in its loveliness and (occasional) dryness.
nice, but impossible not to compare to Kind of Blue which it falls short of
Really solid jazz album, I do love me some Miles Davis.
i would agree this is cool.
Miles got even cooler from here. But this goes down like a fine bourbon, and just as quickly.
Miles Davis never disappoints
Good, but not as great as Kind of Blue was
This is a pretty interessting album, given that it serves as a connection between bebop and the following cool jazz. Some of it is pure bop, some of it is miles ahead of its time (ba-dum-tss).
Talented, relaxing.
I have previously been a Miles Davis hater on here but I liked this. These songs had melody and felt like songs. Maybe that rejection of musical conventions is what draws others to something like Bitches Brew, but that's exactly why it wasn't for me. This was.
Classic Miles. Miles brings the cool.
Lovely jazz. I don’t know enough to parse the differences between this and prior Davis releases, I just know that I like it.
A classic, beautiful flowing jazz collection. Provided good background music and nothing stood out specifically.
Miles davis what a legend. This album is class.
Does what it says in the tin, it's cool as fuck.
Nice, happy jazz
Never was there a more appropriate album title.
I really went into this album underestimating the "Cool" but I'll be darned if this 70 year old album isn't indeed Cool. I didn't keep track of track names as it all just kept flowing pretty smoothly until the last track with the vocals. I'd maybe take that out of the playlist, but other than that I was pleasantly surprised by this. Favorite track "Move" 4/5
Birth of the Cool ushered in a new era: "cool jazz." This contrasted with the frenetic energy of bebop, the dominant style at the time. Davis' nonet (a nine-piece ensemble) employed a more relaxed, introspective approach. Shorter compositions (averaging around 3 minutes) focused on melody and mood rather than extended, virtuosic solos. Tracks like "Jeru" and "Moon Dreams" showcase this beautifully, with muted trumpet lines weaving through airy textures created by French horn and tuba. Gil Evans' masterful arrangements provided a foundation that was both sophisticated and accessible. However, the album wasn't simply a chilled-out affair. Tracks like "Move" retain a driving rhythmic pulse, and Davis' understated trumpet solos still pack a punch. The interplay between instruments is a highlight, with unexpected harmonies and counterpoint melodies keeping listeners engaged. While some might find the overall mood subdued compared to bebop, Birth of the Cool offered a captivating alternative. Production: A Flawed Experiment The album's production history is as fascinating as its music. Recorded in 1949 and 1950, the sessions were shelved by Capitol Records due to their unconventional sound. Released years later with some edits and overdubs, the final product doesn't always flow seamlessly. Some argue that the edits disrupt the original cohesion, while others see them as minor blemishes on a groundbreaking work. Regardless, the sonic quality itself is excellent, capturing the warmth and intimacy of the small ensemble sessions. Themes: Coolness and Beyond The "cool" aesthetic permeates the album, evident in the music's relaxed feel and Davis' own persona. However, Birth of the Cool isn't simply an exercise in coolness. Tracks like "Venus de Milo" hint at a darker undercurrent, with dissonant harmonies and a brooding atmosphere. This complexity reflects the social and cultural anxieties of the postwar era, making Birth of the Cool more than just a stylistic departure. Influence: A Legacy of Innovation Birth of the Cool's influence is undeniable. It paved the way for modal jazz, a style that emphasized scales and modes over complex chord changes. Artists like John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk were heavily influenced by Davis' pioneering work. Furthermore, the album's focus on melody and atmosphere resonated with musicians outside jazz, influencing artists in rock, pop, and even film scoring. Pros and Cons: A Balanced View Birth of the Cool isn't without flaws. The production issues and occasional pacing problems can be minor detractors. However, its strengths far outweigh these. The innovative music, groundbreaking style, and enduring influence solidify its place as a jazz masterpiece. The Final Notes Birth of the Cool stands as a testament to Miles Davis' restless spirit and artistic vision. While lacking traditional lyrics, it speaks volumes through its innovative music, thoughtful production, and exploration of themes beyond mere coolness. Its influence continues to be felt across genres, solidifying its position as a landmark album and a must-listen for any jazz enthusiast or music lover seeking a taste of groundbreaking innovation.
Pretty cool.
Cool like an iced tea on a hot day.
Extremely good album. Very easy listening but also very complex at the same time. loved it.
Great vibes here. Kind of reminded me of the Dave Brubeck Quartet album on this list, Time Out. I typically don't listen to jazz too much but I wouldn't hesitate to queue this album up when the mood next strikes.
JAZZ !!
smooth jazz
Demasiado 🚬🚬🚬
Awesome album. Rarely expect myself to enjoy this era of jazz but, again, pleasantly surprised. quite different from later Davis records, too.
I hadn't heard any of Davis' work with his nonet, so this was a treat. Highlights: Moon Dreams, Venus De Milo, Godchild, Boplicity, Rouge
It's always a good day if you get to listen to Miles Davis, even if you're (like me) not all that well-versed in his huge arsenal of songs and albums. It's a little weird that we got a compilation album (mainly because I thought that wasn't part of the criteria for including in the 1001 Greatest Albums collection), but I'm not complaining at getting to hear a variety of tunes from a shifting band composition, and apparently getting to listen to the birth of a new style of jazz (or as the critic Sargent apparently described it, "not really jazz"). Not bad at all!
a classic jazz album. Miles Davis is the king, never disappoints, fits so many moods/settings.
Verrrry good
Classic music...only two songs to listen to but great anyway. Relaxing and soothing.
Can’t lie, this slaps and will continue to slap. Do your thing Mr. Davis ! 🎶 🎺 🎶 Great replay value and calm, soothing tracks for any given day.
It's funny to consider that this comp was released only a handful of years after the somewhat unorthodox songs on it were recorded. In the intervening time (~7 years), he recorded and released like two dozen albums that revealed him to be the future of jazz, making this album's title neither premature nor a misnomer.
#1/1001 Haven't gotten into older jazz music very much, but I think this was a nice introduction. The instruments sound like they are trying to talk to me, I love it, lol. I think it's interesting that it's a compilation album recorded over a few years AND spanning over the beginning of new eras of jazz, so that was quite cool! I *love* the horns on this. Overall: I like it! Might not be something I listen to everyday, but if I had a long but fulfilling day, I might come home, pour a glass of whiskey and read a good book in my huge leather office chair (like the movies yk) and just let the sounds fill the room. Favorites: Move Venus De Milo Godchild <3 <3 Rogue Darn That Dream (however, it did scare me for a sec because I was Not expecting lyrics lol)
It's Miles Davis, what can you say?
It was godd
Of course it is good, and fundamental, and infinitely listenable, but I must say it suffers hard from comparison to other works by Miles Davis that I find much more engaging. I would never pick this over Kind Of Blue, or Bitches Brew, but I suppose that is not a detriment to the quality of this record in a vacuum.
Not my style of jazz but i thought it was a very pleasant listen. definitely prefer Miles Davis’ more abstract type of jazz such as Some Kind of Blue and Bitches Brew.
For Miles Davis and cool jazz genre in general, these tracks are especially economical in length. I attribute this to the format they were released originally but what each of them do, is really elevate the impact of the "small combo" approach of Davis' ensembles in this era. Really appreciating that it doesn't sound like more than a handful of players per track, allowing each instrument some freedom to stand out in it's own right. This post-WW2 genre will always strike a chord with me, and Miles was the best to do it. It's the best of big band and bebop without the brash aesthetic blasts associated with either, leaving pure, clean, cool improvisation-- allowing the listener to examine each musician's approach unassaulted by punctuated blasts of 25 simultaneous horn players.
Jazz, jazz, jazz. Smoother than a baby’s bottom.
First
Would love to have this on vinyl to have on in the background when I’m in my mid 40’s and I’m really into espresso
jazzy
Although I don't like Jazz this album was enjoyable for me
I remember having a professor teaching the history of jazz and he mentioned this album specifically as a groundbreaker. I can't say I have a whole lot of experience in jazz music to be able to pinpoint any innovations here, but it certainly wasn't enjoyable listen
Jazz is always good.
Pretty cool...
Jazz ... Bop di du dah!
endlich weiß ich, was sie wirklich sagen, wenn sie unterkühlt meinen
Great album! Love this Jazz
Clearly this was the birth of cool
I went in expecting a good 50’s jazz album. That’s what I got. David is just good. One of the greats.
I get why it's a big deal and the music is cool and complex, but it also all sounds sooo similar and just not my thing.
February 6, 2024 HL: "Moon Dreams", "Venus De Milo", "Godchild", "Move" I found this in a used CD store for 5 smackeroos after recognizing the title from the 1001 list. It would take over a year for me to actually have this on the website, thus making me listen to it in full (I've definitely heard the odd track throughout the year tho) Complete world away from the last Davis-- Bitches Brew-- particularly due to its accessibility and short tunes. Whereas that one felt somehow rejuvenating but also totally exhausting, this breezed by and was over before I knew it. Maybe there's a happy medium between 3 minute and 27 minute songs :0 *eyes Kind of Blue expectantly*
Nice sound
I love Miles Davis and this May not be his best but its certainly really good
music: cool. (⌐■_■)
It really rattled me to read that this was recorded in 1949/50. Is this literally the birth of coolness? Is this the first time something was ever cool? I think it might be.
😎
This is definitely a lesser Miles Davis album, I’m not sure it would even be in his top 10. But lesser Miles is still better than 99.9% of other musicians.
Miles Davis' "Birth of the Cool" is an incredible and innovative album. In this, Davis is credited with directing the projection of cool jazz.
Des chansons cool :D
The first couple of listens passed me by, but over time I've been enjoying this more and more. Great stuff!
Very chill
decent listen
I feel like I've said similar things with other jazz albums that have come up, but this settles it -- I'm getting more jazz records
I can’t fully understand what this music is about, but I still like how it sounds and how it makes me feel
Good background jazz
Nice album!
Not the most challenging album but I like the vibe of it. Just some friendly on the ear background jazz
Þessi á ég á disk ofan í kassa. Get ekki þóst vera djassgeggjari en þessi er skemmtileg, gott stuð og töff.
nice album ... soothing music
Even as a person who doesn't listen to a lot of Jazz, its obvious that Miles Davis is an excellent musician. The band sounds great in this recording.
Seductive mix of jazz, swing and Las Vegas show tunes. Easy to listen to and get lost in. Great to listen to on a lazy Sunday afternoon
This wasn’t as exciting to me as In A Silent Way. I can’t pretend to be knowledgeable about jazz really—but it felt more like background music than anything that demands you Pay Attention. That being said—I loved Move, the first track on the album.
Miles Davis and his comrades do a lot of a interesting stuff in these songs but it makes you wonder why this list has a compilation album like this in its ranks? Like many albums of that type it is a bit disjointed and allover the place. Miles David has a lot more interesting releases in his catalogue that actually work as an album. It's still a great listen though.
Enjoyed it. Easy to listen to and would listen to it again.
Instrumentals are not what I look for in albums, as I am a big lyrics person. But miles is an all time great and he’s an amazing musician. For what it is this is great and it doesn’t seem aged for something older than my parents
Chill and cool
I think cool did exist before this. But that does diminish the coolness of this.
I gotta hand it to you Mr. Davis, this is pretty cool.
Boplicity is such a great sound; definitely one of my favorites from the album.
4.5/5
Move - discordant Jeri - recognized oft used chords Moon Dreams - sweeping, peaceful Venus de Milo - bosa nova? Meh Budo - love the lower register Deception - ? Godchild - ? Boplicity - nice background Rocker - ran right into Israel - upbeat, light Rouge - blush? Nonconformist? Still not a Jazz fan
Moon Dreams
Jazz
Cool jazz and easy listening
This felt nostalgic to me because it made me realize a lot of the 90s-00's cartoons would use jazz in their scores. I was immediately reminded of Tom and Jerry, Seth McFarlane's cartoons, and other Hanna Barbera animations. Obvioulsy, these shows used Jazz for their scores but listening to this album for the first time, felt like I had always known it.
Helt smooth, lige som det skal være
Small venue style jazz
Hyvää jazzia. Uppoutuu jotenkin aivan kuuntelemaan levyä, vaikka oli juoksulenkillä. Kuuntelen ehdottomasti myös uudelleen.
Good
I don't really know how to tell Jazz apart but I could tell this was good! Some interesting dissonant chords.
Wonderfully serene
It is a refreshing album of sorts, especially if you are used to modern music. It reminded me of good old days when watched 'Tom & Jerry's on TV before going to school ❤️
this would be such great party music in the background
Very classy. Perfect substitute for Christmas music.
Consistently good throughout. I never found myself bored. Concise set of songs. All around good jazz. “Cool” is an apt description.
I appreciate hearing this relaxing album while going to the airport at 6 am in the morning in the foggy dark morning
Good if not a bit slow for my taste. The first song was the best.
This seems like good jazz! I’ll admit I don’t have a great ear for the genre, but I know Miles is a legend and I enjoyed it a lot.
Pretty good jazz. Found myself losing interest a few times but there was always something that brought me back in. This would be a 3.5 but out of respect for a legend I'll round up.
There’s a certain levity I appreciate with this album compared to bitches brew. I really like this jazz album. Makes me think of a smoke filled jazz club getting drunk and listening throughout the night even with a little dancing. I’m not the biggest jazz guy but I get it with this album.
Nagyot ment, pont erre volt szükségem a mai építészkedéshez Extra rizz pontokat kap mérföldes papa a címadásért, úgymond prófétai
4 - he’s very good, quite similar but I think that’s jazz. If I sat and really listened I think I would hear the intricacy but I think that’s a me problem
I had a good time. Quite jazzy.
Nice Jazz. Sweet Tunes.
It’s not blue in green but it’s certainly enjoyable and i liked hearing all the old timey voices on the live recordings. and that crackle and fizz and smooooth sound of those recordings are so so so nice. i think, no, i know, i prefer these over remastered sounds most times. miles davis is just cool and makes me yearn for that time period.
Not the best Miles Davis: technically I don't know if this is the greatest jazz ever made but I feel I have definitely listened to a lot better stuff. They will always be solid jazz albums but I found myself yearning for a little bit more when it came to this.
Hoy tocó un disco que ya había escuchado a través del documental "Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool". De hecho, es el primer disco completo de jazz que he escuchado: sólo había curioseado en canciones sueltas y shows en vivo de varios conjuntos pero discos de estudio, es el primero. Gran trabajo de Miles. Sólido. Pasional.
cool
Anyone else naming their album "Birth of Cool" would be corny as fuck for this. Miles Davis pulls that off. This was extremely chill and easy to listen to. Good music to vibe to. A solid 4/5
I prefer jazz live, but this was nice background music while I worked.
-fun album to listen to -can still hear the swing and big band -interesting transition album, not only for Miles, but for jazz as a whole
decent, but "kind of blue" still blows this away. move jeru venus de milo budo godchild boplicity rocker israel rouge
Miles Davis's "Birth of the Cool," released in 1957, is a groundbreaking album that laid the foundation for the cool jazz movement. With arrangements by Gil Evans, Davis crafted a sophisticated, melodic sound that deviated from the prevailing bebop style. Tracks like "Boplicity" and "Jeru" showcase intricate yet accessible compositions, with Davis's muted trumpet leading the way. The ensemble features jazz luminaries, and the album's restrained, elegant style contrasts sharply with the frenetic energy of bebop. "Birth of the Cool" is a pivotal work in the evolution of jazz, earning a solid 4/5 for its innovation, musicality, and enduring influence.
Cool is a great word for it. Love the sounds and the mood.
Very catchy for a casual jazz listener
Accurate title.
Swinging drums, tight solos and emphasis on the horns harmony - fairly short compositions. Very jarring when the singer comes in on the last track.
Ну фоном заебок, но на постоянке такое я бы не стал гонять
Smooth
Lekker
Really nice jazz
Next 5 songs played by my Spotify Algorithm: Thelonius Monk Septet - Crepuscule with Nellie Charlie Parker Quartet - Love For Sale - Take 3 Keith Jarret - Interlude #3 Bud Powell Trio - Lullaby of Birdland John Coltrane Quartet - It's Easy to Remember
Prime jazz, will always be a fan of american jazz from that period.
Très bon jazz, j'ai adoré. Musicalement très riche, calme et entraînant. Parfait pour travailler par exemple.
Don’t know much about jazz but it was good to work to
I mean what can you say. Top
Cool jazz, relaxing but fun to listen to. Doesn't blow me away though.
4.2/5
Jazzy little Diddy
What a classic.
A nice chill album.
You can't give Miles Davis less than 4 stars.
I listen to jazz all of the time so had to keep reminding myself that this was the album of the day up for review and not one of my standard playlists. I have a really hard time deciding if certain jazz recordings or albums are good or not and I seem to like it all (unless it has organ or glockenspiel, haha). It’s almost like I don’t have enough knowledge or understanding to make any opinion and have never really listened critically. I have a Miles Davis record and know he’s one of the greatest trumpeters (trumpeteers?) of the genre. I did really enjoy this album. It’s cool how important the late 50’s were for jazz and what a big influence a few leaders like Miles Davis had on the progression of jazz. Four stars, more like 4 1/2, but this didn’t knock my socks off to earn a five. I’m still wearing socks.
Maybe Davis' 5th or 6th best album but still very good. In my opinion if you wanted a great example of Bop or Davis on this list you could have chosen others.
i like jazz
really dig this album even though nothing really stood out as a single of the album. 3.9/5. Listened 3x
So cool
Pretty chill! I don't much listen to music without lyrics, so but I enjoyed it for sure.
Good. Not quite as downtempo as expected. Didn't know it was a compilation album. 4.2
good shit had a pretty good day today had a rlly heavy talk w celi after gym today about her not being as good of friends with abe anymore love life love my friends
Platonic idea of jazz. Range in moods and emotions. Probably unfair, but didn't come off as experimental or revolutionary as reputation would indicate. But that's looking back nearly 70 years later. Would be good to listen again with better knowledge of the time.
Shorter songs than live. Great early album from the 50s
This was completely different to almost everything i normally listen to but I really enjoyed it. It was nice to have some instrumental music to listen to whilst studying. Although I did feel like I was studying in war time. You can tell he has an amazing talent for playing music.
Birth of the cool is right.
Not really much to say. Just some pretty *cool* jazz.
Miles Davis is a legend.
This was a great jazz album! Miles Brown imbues so much emotion in his trumpet playing, and it made this album a joy to listen to.
This was the birth of cool!
Don’t have much to say except this was just a lot of fun to listen to! Strong instrumentation and soloing!
Great in a mellow, put it on at a house party for intellectuals type of way.
It’s not Kind of Blue or Bitches Brew. But it is Miles. At least a 3.5
Classic jazz
Pretty jazzy jazz!
Now this is some cool jazz...
Nice. I like some Miles Davis and this is one of the better ones we've had
Entspannter Jazz. Nicht ganz meine Musik. Aber super als background
Oh boy I am excited for this one. Just started listening to the first song. Already love it. Great vibes!
The world is very lucky that miles Davis was born when jazz was popular because he can play the shit out of music. This is a great ensemble album with Davis leading the way with some really nice horn skills. The man was one of the best and this album is jazz worth listening to. Would definitely revisit this album when I want to hear more jazz. 8.2/10
A nice and relaxing album.
Love
Relaxing but not my type
Maybe the coolest album ever released, what else can you say? Feels like I'm in a dimly lit smoky room with a 2 drink minimum that smells like cigars and musty wood, how much cooler can you get? Of course you have Miles doing his thing but I don't often listen to the more arranged tunes with the whole horn section instead of just the 4 or 5 dudes. It's good stuff.
The album is sooo groovy. Love it!
I really liked this album, but for me the level of 5 star Miles Davis album is Kind of Blue
Jazz canónico. Un 4.
Didnt lie- it was cool 4/5
Miles Davis is always good, but this album is a bit under his best.
chill jazz, sånn man likæ
Guess i like jazz now 🤷♂️
Rating this fresh off from Kind of Blue. This is much less focused and free. There's a lot going on here, while Kind of Blue was more subdued and structured. While I liked Kind of Blue, I enjoy this album for the energy and dynamics. Though it's not the daily driver that KOB was, it is more upbeat. I think I'd have a rough time listening to this on a relaxed Sunday afternoon. I could maybe put this on for the a.m. routine for a little pep in my step. Neither are better and both very adequate.
Miles Davis' "Birth Of The Cool" is definitely cool. The kind of cool that sadly isn't "cool" anymore.
Too short!
This some how seems "jazzier" than Kind of Blue but I think I prefer the melancholy of Kind of Blue.
Birth Of The Cool is the third album from Miles Davis that I have reviewed for this list of 1001 albums, but those other two albums I had previously listened to on my own just trying to educate myself about jazz in general. I am relatively ignorant about jazz, and I had not heard of Birth Of The Cool before. I was surprised how short all of the tracks were, compared to the longer tracks on other albums from Davis. The length of the tracks didn't change my opinion of the music, I was just surprised. I did like the album, and could easily come back to this for a second listen. I was glad that "Darn That Dream" was not on the orginal album, because I did not like that song and I don't want to include that in my rating of this album.
4.5
Groovy, easy listening jazz.
A very enjoyable jazz record. Feels a little dated now because of how much later artists really pushed the genre, but I could easily see why this one has so much influence.
4/5. A unique experience being not too familiar with jazz. I wasn’t aware these songs were some of the first to change the music space to the slower more methodical method of jazz music. It’s unique for sure, but I wouldn’t play it all the time. I’m giving it the 4 for importance and it is great background music.
Skiba bedepaboo jazz
I really liked this - easy going, hummable, excellent playing It's not as adventurous as some of his later work - but that was kind of nice also haha it wasn't so challenging
Great listen overall!
If peeing your pants is cool, consider me Miles Davis
A nice afternoon listen in the sunshine.
Awesome album, not my favourite Miles Davis album, but still great.
I actually liked this album. I enjoyed the piano at the end. It is also only 30 minutes long. I will round up.
This is the third Miles Davis album for me in this project, and it's been interesting to listen to these milestones of his career (out of 61 albums!!!). Kind of Blue, from 1959, was considered the masterpiece of his early work, and In a Silent Way, from 1969, demonstrated the boundaries that Davis was pushing by adding electricity. (I'm still waiting for Bitches Brew.) This might have the earliest recordings we're listened to in this project, being from 1949-50. This is, as the title suggests, the introduction of Davis' cool jazz. I am very glad to have listened to this really enjoyable album. Out of context, however, I'm not sure it would have been greatly distinctive. So much that came after followed this lead, and it led to so much jazz that sounds just like this.
Sure, this is some cool jazz, and I found it all lovely. Although, it may have been a bit too cool and I think that I would do a poor job of distinguishing each track and matching it to its name. They all fell very much into the same groove for me.
This didn't quite hold the magic that Kind of Blue and In a Silent Way had for me. Solid, soothing jazz though.
Technically proficient and full of soul. You'll need to like jazz to enjoy this one.
If peeing your pants is cool, consider me Miles Davis. The album is nice, but not as exciting as some of his other works. His music is always original, but this one feels more “of the time” while many of his others feel like future jazz that the rest of the world takes a while to catch up to. That being said, it’s still an incredible jazz album. I enjoyed every track and will most definitely listen to it again sometime in the future. 4/5
A really interesting Miles Davis compilation album; quite different from the albums that came later, like Kind Of Blue. Much shorter compositions on this album with a lot less solos than on Miles Davis' later work. And it makes it a really interesting timepiece, but it can't hold my attention as long as as the jazz that came later. Looking into it, the compositions are so short because the music was recorded in 1949 when everything was released on 78 rpm records with little space on it. Almost all jazz from that time consists of shorter songs and you only got real albums from 1950, so that's why. You have to see this jazz in its time, of course, a lot would change in jazz in the next 15 years. So it remains a bit of background music for me. Nevertheless: beautiful arrangements, good compositions, excellent players, good album. And the key role of these recordings in the development of post-war jazz can hardly be denied, of course.
cool
1957. Move, Venus De Milo, Boplicity
Classy
I like jazz and so I don't mind this. Miles Davis I can listen to all day. Great album and definitely not one note. Value the creativity in the music.
I know this is a groundbreaking work by an all-time great, so I sort of feel as though I should be giving it 5 stars. But, while it was an enjoyable listen, maybe my ears aren't attuned enough to jazz to know exactly why this is the best. It's really good, though!
Good background :) for homework
Just great Jazz.
This is really a killer album. Miles Davis is a genius but his band is equally as impressive behind him. I love the solos and phrasing- just really incredibly enjoyable stuff. I listened to this and blinked and the album was over. Sometimes that happens with me with Jazz and it's wonderful when it does but it also means that if I'm not writing down my thoughts in a rapid stream-of-consciousness manner, then I'm not going to recall all of them. That's ok! Easy 4/5 for me.
Great album Amazing improvisation
Recognised most of this, think it's heavily used by generic live jazz bands, which makes sense cos it's really good. Pretty much the pinnacle of background restaurant music which is a bit of a back handed compliment. I would never specifically put this on to listen to it but it's great for what it is.
L'écoute a passé si vite! Je me sens toujours incompétente pour parler de jazz, mais cet album était effectivement très «cool» dans son énergie qui ne se pressait pour rien et laissait la trompette se déployer. Me donne envie de danser.
Early Miles, probably my least favorite era of Miles but it's still Miles.
Miles is always great and the band is impeccable.
A wonderful listen with great vibes and amazing skill. I loved how much complexity was able to fit in these short songs
Miles Davis is great. Solid album and a fantastic listen
Not the most flashy, exciting jazz album out there but Miles Davis does jazz trumpet so damn well.
How can you not like this? I get if you don't love it but it's just some cool jazz which is just a great album. Guess guys like the current top review just have to dislike it to feel edgy.
i never listen jazz, i think that is a good beginning in this world
Palatable, cool, smooth, but nothing hooks or wows you. Kinda unfair to put a compilation up against full albums, but pioneering none the less.
Great album!
Ganske okay album til at have kørende i baggrunden! Det kunne jeg godt sagtens høre igen, tror jeg.
Pretty enjoyable jazz record that doesn’t outstay it’s welcome and is a bit easier to listen to than a lot of his other records. The energy is fairly high and there’s a lot going on with the large variety of instruments. Much better than I thought.
It might not be the actual birth of cool but it’s certainly the soundtrack to it. Complex patterns and gorgeous instrumentation keep the flow going while Davis shows he is a master.
Listened to this twice in a row. Definitely like it. Honestly can't say much more because I'm a jazz noob a bit, but it was fun and energetic and has this quality where I never know wtf is going on but it's cohesive and done with intent? I dig it.
I love the flex of naming this album "Birth of the Cool," but it earned the title. I'm not really into jazz, but I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this.
A collection of Davis' pioneering "cool jazz" recordings, marked with a distinct style and incorporating polyphony and harmony techniques drawn from classical music. Great set of polished, focused tunes.
A Miles Davis album is always an adventure and a nice road trip. Good company, even when you have baf luck and they locked you up at a parking of a supermarket. Just keep your cool and fix it, thats what you can do thanks to this album 😉. Great jazz trip.
Feel cool listening to this one. The arrangement takes you on a journey
as much as i LOVE miles davis, this isn't his best work, in my opinion. i see the artistic merit, but it's got a more big band-y sound than most of his other stuff, which isn't necessarily in my jazz palette. i prefer my brass instruments with intermittent solos, and more slow-moving. still great composition, just not my general tastes
This album shows the genius of Miles Davis even before he was THE Miles Davis.
I am discovering through this project that I am a fan of Miles Davis. The songs effortlessly blend together to create a lovely mosaic of Jazz instrumental harmony. This album is not as good as 'Kind of Blue' (the other Miles Davis album I've had so far in this challenge) and not as complex, but still sets an easy listening experience FAVORITE SONGS - Jeru - Moon Dreams 3.75/5
It’s jazz!
Pretty *cool* record here (see what I did there?). It's a very nice and relaxing listen with songs that kind of just twist and turn with instrument solos coming out of nowhere. I enjoyed it! 7/10
Doet me denken aan de muziek dat mijn opa vaak opzet, en dat is een goed ding
Babbity toot toot! Accessible jazzzzz
My Miles sweet spot starts about a decade after this, but I do very much enjoy dipping into his older stuff from time to time. This and Kind of Blue are the two first Miles albums I ever heard and the ones I'm still most likely to reach for if I'm looking for chill, early Miles - except when taking the time to visit the ones I've not heard yet. "Moon Dreams" and "Boplicity" are my favourites from this set.
It's good, but it's not Kind of Blue good. Certainly interesting from an historical perspective, as you can hear the transition from bepop and related styles to the hard bop more often associated with the late 50s.
Beautiful album. Time flies by. The mix is flawless, and cheerful, warm horns with the smooth bass make a listen for a sunny day. It's not as interesting as his other albums, which have more textures and intricacies, but Birth of the Cool is a classic, solid jazz record.
La primera obra referencial de Davis. I segurament la més fàcil de digerir en les seves primeres escoltes. Un geni
I don't think this was the rebirth. This was just the straight up birth of the cool.
Miles's first game changer (and the first in quite an impressive list: see *Milestones*/*Kind Of Blue*, *Sketches Of Spain*, *In A Silent Way*/*Bitches Brew*, *On The Corner*...). Not as striking today as those later masterpieces, but still an essential listen for sure... Number of albums left to review or just listen to: less than 700, I've temporarily lost count here Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: approximately a half so far (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: a quarter Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): the last quarter
Jazzy
I love jazz, and this is of the more upbeat variety. It's very enjoyable but gets a little tedious by the end.
Obviously technically perfect but to me just not as interesting as some of his later work.
I have this album already and I love it
I’d class myself as a casual jazz fan, probably about 4/5 jazz albums Iv listened to frequently. My all time favourite being kinda blue. So I was excited to see this on the list. Enjoyed this, nice short songs easy to appreciate, much less of a challenge than bitches brew, but can tell this is a few years before kind of blue where miles would truly hone his craft. Great jazz album worth a list will be added to my rotation list, just not quite masterpiece level.
I'd consider Sean as cool as Miles Davis!
Miles davis wel eens geluisterd, maar eerste keer wat langer. Lekkere jazz, maar las vaak dat het niet zijn beste is dus ga me er wat meer in verdiepen. 4 sterren voor het opwarmertje
Heel soepel album, luistert gemakkelijk weg. Maar nog niet mn favoriete Miles Davis album
While not my style, the abilities of the musician are not lost on me.
Obviously great
This is pretty cool, Miles. Pretty cool indeed.
Chill, probably would put this on for nice background music. Exciting for instrumental music.
Peppy and fun, but rich with intricate complexity, and also succinct! I suppose for Mr. Davis brevity is the soul of cool? I appreciate that.
Seminal Jazz Album
не понимаю, как оценивать джаз... он почти всегда типа объективно крутой.. но просто с ничего сравню с прослушанным не так давно альбомом сары воан, который мне понравился больше (оценки ничего не значат блин, я не могу так (окей, очев, что они не значат ничего для музыкального мира, но я даже чисто для себя оценивать не могу, сложна))
I mean, it's jazz and it's Miles Davis. It's great.
First Miles Davis album I listened to. Really enjoyed this, and in a weird way, it makes me ready for the Christmas season. Looking forward to more Miles Davis music.
not exactly mys style, but great if you're looking for new tastes
I must have heard this before, idk where. It's good though :)
toot
Very good, short, no duds on this one.
Lovely
Reminded me of both a transition in a movie like "Catch me if you can" and the music you always here in crime drama bar scenes. Very groovy
Jazz canónico. Un 4.
Nice
Very enjoyable! I liked this one more than the other two Miles Davis records we've had so far. Both relaxing and stimulating.
Love me some Miles
Evocative of a specific time and place in American history, this album features great musicians collaborating with each other but for me is not more than music to have in the background. That likely has nothing to do with them and everything to do with me, who did not grow up listening to this kind of music. You can't deny the talent.
Nice short but sweet jazz album.
I mean, what is there to really say? This is some serious jazz for the hep cats! Music like this always makes me think of getting dressed up and working the room at a fancy Christmas party where they serve little tiny cocktail weiners on toothpicks. Tom Hanks would be there, along with Meg Ryan and probably David Letterman. For the record, I do not always get invited to these kinds of Christmas parties, but when I do, I want Miles Davis to be there.
genieten
Ovaj je bas bio upbeat. Mislim da nikad ne mozes pogriješiti sa Milesom. Doktor jazza
Imam veliko poštovanje prema gospodinu Davisu. Najdraži jazz izvođač, bar zasad, uvijek se vraćam njegovim albumima ukoliko želim nešto jazza za smirenje ili prije spavanja. Ovo isto spada u dobre stvari njegove glazbe, kompilacija, ali dobra. Just vibe.
Great. I think
Dat kewl m8
Great ensemble. Miles playing is clear and definitive.
Jazz isn't typically my vibe but it was surprisingly good! Felt a bit like I was in a silent film but decent all the same, felt very calm after, would probably listen again. 7/10
Good Jazz. Confused the shit out of my cats, so you know it's real. Made me do the Early Disney finger wag, so you know it's catchy.
Not the best of miles, but still miles
Well they got that title correct. V. cool indeed.
loving the Jazz
There really is only one word to describe it, and that's "cool". It's just a solid record, and I love the constant use of dissonance throughout. Favorite tracks: "Moon Dream", "Boplicity"
Miles Davis prophesizing my birth 31 years prior. Crazy.
One of the albums that shaped the history of jazz. Not one of my absolute favorite jazz albums to listen to, but definitely a great one and incredibly important.
He's no Kenneth G.
Really solid throughout but I don't think it's the best I've heard from him. Listened to it a few times and want to revisit it again sometime. Favorite: Jeru
I can definitely understand why Miles Davis was so influential to Jazz. I can recognize how he has influenced even some rap artists I listen to. The opening track is stunning with what he can do on the trumpet. I like the fast, snappy pace of most of the tracks. I feel like this is something that should be listened to on vinyl; digital doesn't do it justice. You need to feel it. The trombone solo in Deception makes me miss playing trombone myself. I don't listen to jazz much because there's just so much of it and I don't know where to start, so this was very helpful. I love the genre so much and have been tapping my foot throughout the whole album. It's very noticeable that there is emotion in the songs; Miles Davis portrays it so well.
Excellent, but not my favorite Miles Davis album
Classic album, lots of good stuff. Though not very accessable for non jazz fans.
Good jazz
Relaxing, sounds like an old French film soundtrack.
I really know nothing about jazz. I know I like it live more than on record, and while I own some notable jazz CDs, it's all about catching some killer riffs and solos here and there as opposed to studying the compositions and having any real understanding of the history or the significance of anything I'm listening to. So with Miles Davis, I know he's a pioneer, legend, visionary, difficult personality, brilliant player, but that's not because I listen to a lot of his music or know anything about how he changed the form over the course of his storied career. I appreciated the short compositions on this album, it made it easy to stay with a tune through it's duration, and I was struck by how every player seemed to be as accomplished as the next — no one instrument stood out as the focus or the virtuoso among the ensemble. I later read that these sessions were actually recorded in 1949-50, though not released until 1957, and are credited with ushering in a new style of jazz, called cool jazz. That all makes sense having listened to the album, and I guess I'm a fan of cool jazz. A three? Four? I'm going with a four-star as I can see me teeing this album up again and getting more familiar with it.
Damn, we've been on a roll lately! The release date on this album is deceptive. These tunes were recorded in '49 and '50 in three different sessions, and these recordings were considered pretty odd at the time. It's not quite big band, not quite small combo, not quite bebop, not quite cool. It's something else entirely. ("Something else entirely" pretty much describes all of Miles's landmark recordings.) I dig this stuff, but it's definitely not my favorite of Miles's albums. For one thing, it doesn't showcase any of the individual musicians here particularly well. I mean, it's got Max Roach, one of the great drummers of all time, on 2/3 of these tunes, but you'd never know it. (For that, you'd need to check out any of the recordings he did with Clifford Brown and Sonny Rollins.) If you're not particularly knowledgeable about jazz, I don't know that this album is an especially good introduction to the genre. (Then again, there are so many different kinds of jazz, it's hard to know what would be, except maybe Miles's own "Kind of Blue.") Having said all of that, this is quality music and several of these went on to become jazz standards, so it's a good album to listen to if you become a fan of the genre. It also became massively influential with many of these guys becoming giants of the Cool Jazz movement. This is music that rewards intense listening but also works great in the background. 4.5/5
Favorite songs: jeru, moon dreams, deception, rocker, Israel
Always an interesting listen with Davis.
Not going to lie, Boblicity is one of my all-time favorite jazz tunes. This album was a staple when I went through a jazz phase in high school, in part to being in jazz band. I used to love playing Boblicity in my spare time; I even got pretty decent at it on Bass Trombone. Really good album, but Miles Davis isn't for everyone. There are very similar ticks that Miles uses in pretty much every song. You start to notice it, such that now I can pretty much identify a classic-era Miles Davis song from a mile away. Miles got SUPER offbeat and experimental later in life, but this classic compilations is a great introduction to how Miles became the \"cool\". 4.5/5.
Couldn't name a Miles Davis track, but I know several albums and this one doesn't disappoint. Felt more up beat than Kind of Blue, but that makes sense even just from the titles. Great listen
Cool cool jazz