Reviews (page 8 of 14)
I have no reference point for this and I'm definitely not in the mood for this and probably never will. I'm 3 starring for its "importance" in music culture. But I don't get it.
Cool
I only thing I can say is either you dig or you don’t. I for one dig it!
Absolute classic
Monumental and just a vibe
I don't get Jazz. I'm sure this is very good but not for me
Can see why people would like it, but not really my vibe
Jazz again, however this was more enjoyable! Still no traditional song structure, by then again, it is Jazz. Chilled vibes all around, keen to explore more Davis.
Cool beans
Incredible for its time. Miles Davis walked so others could run.
Coooljaazzzz. Perfect intro to the sub genre. First generator album
Jazz isn’t really my cup of tea, but I appreciate that this is an important album. I’ve listened to it a bit, but I always get the impression that Jazz musicians have more fun playing their music than I have listening to it.
So smooth, so nice. I had a bit of difficulty distinguishing each song from one another, but could definitely see myself putting on this album to go along with a nice dinner and wine.
Not my fave Miles album, but I appreciate it was short and good.
Pretty good album compared to what was available at the time but this was not has best. I can see how this would've made an impact but it wasn't my favorite. I am biased because cool or smooth jazz isn't my cup of tea. Crazy to think that he would record "Bitches Brew" 12 years later. It's better to look at it as the beginning of the best.
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.
Jazz is not my thing. I can appreciate the musicianship that is heard here but can't say I really enjoyed it. Favorite: Godchild Would I listen to it again: No
Lekkere oldscool jazz, maar wel een beetje saai: geen zang en weinig interessante geluidjes die er uit springen / karakter geven. Wel heeeele mooie trompet solo's
Is pretty cool
Jazz. Dinner jazz, peppy jazz, sad jazz. I get it but have never like it.
I don’t like it much, for example Kind Of Blue was more for me
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)
A banger, a classic, an amazing album. Effortlessly cool.
Great
yeahhhhh it’s a cool album, so 10/10 for title! not something i’d usually listen to as i’m a lyric gal but you can’t deny the playing on this in amazing! so quick and interesting and makes me want to listen to more jazz! really enjoyed listening to this and would defo play again if i was hosting a dinner party and wanted to seem cool and cultured!
Great, enjoyable, not his best.
I do not have an ear for jazz and feel incredibly unqualified to judge this. I know it’s one of the greatest jazz albums of all time but I’d rather listen to the Dead Kennedys.
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
I love Miles Davis
Prefer some of his other albums
звучный альбом в классическом джазе. яркие мелодии в сочетании с яркими мелодиями предают успокоительный вклад в настроение слушателя. 6/10
One of a favorite jazz albums for sure.
2+ Stars (6/15)
Underwhelming. Good but does get repetitive. I was hoping for more
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.
Great reading music
Is this cool? Depends how you define cool. I suppose it is and was for its time. If you're into jazz this must be heaven. I'll give a
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.
Frickin awesome, jazzy as hell.
So I probably just don't like jazz that much. There is obvious talent here, but it's just background music to me.
So here's a little display of a very basic, simple physical law: "Miles Davis appears, I rate 5 stars." Very 'cool' music. I'd almost call it... cool jazz. First thing that came to mind, there couldn't possibly be any further implication here! And of course also: Mad respect to all the other composers and original performers of this masterpiece.
Absolute cool, fantastic playing and one of the easiest 5 stars so far.
Cool
Was going to pass on this, as not a fan of jazz. Glad I didn't this was amazing.
01) Move - 5,0 02) Jeru - 5,0 03) Moon Dreams - 5,5 04) Venus De Milo - 4,5 05) Budo - 5,0 06) Deception - 4,5 07) Godchild - 4,5 08) Boplicity - 4,5 09) Rocker - 4,5 10) Israel - 4,5 11) Rouge - 4,5 12) Darn That Dream - 5,5 TOTAL: 4,79 (48/100) Current ranking: 517/545 This is so boring...
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.
Classic Jazz. Great for a Friday afternoon at work.
good
Very good! Would buy on vinyl.
Fine players. A historically significant album.
Definitely a nice, enjoyable listen, even if it doesn't hit me the same as the seminal records that he would drop a few years later.
Sometimes a bit cringe but otherwise great
i love jazz! this is awesome. “moon dreams” was probably my favorite. always appreciate a good instrumental album. 4/5.
Exceptional
Vähä liian coolia omaan makuun.
A monumental album in bringing out a new style of jazz. It can still be fast and complex, but it’s more relaxed than its predecessor bebop. It feels more collaborative than competitive. This album is filled with quick jazz tunes that are melodically and harmonically rich. It’s a nice listen but by no means a top jazz album of mine.
Great jazz album.
Alright, nothing too exciting. Dissonant and uncomfortable at times
I have never listened to an entire jazz album before. It is good, relaxing music, with some nice grooves, too.
Cool.
Classic 5 stars every day. Listen to this in the morning while you do daily mundane chores. It will put a pep in your step.
I like cool jazz, it turns out. Do I like it enough to listen to an entire Miles Davis album? Possibly not. It got quite repetitive but okay for background. I did not like the last track which has singing on it. That felt old.
classic
After spending time with a range of jazz records during this challenge, I can confidently say that Miles Davis is a master of his craft. His technical skill and musical intuition are undeniable, and I understand why he is held in such high regard within the genre. That said, jazz simply doesn’t resonate with me. Despite recognizing the artistry involved, I find the music unengaging — it tends to blur together and leave little lasting impression. It’s a genre that, for me, lacks emotional connection or excitement. Favourite Track: Jeru stood out with its lighter, more melodic tone — it was the one moment that genuinely caught my attention. Least Favourite: Unfortunately, much of the rest of the album felt indistinct; the tracks seemed to merge into one continuous, unmemorable experience. Album Artwork: A classic, minimal jazz cover — fitting but nothing remarkable.
I am travelling for work tonight and it’s pouring with rain outside. Somehow the cool jazz hits just right. Miles Davis is the king of cool
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.
7/10 Put off rating this one for ages because I have no idea how to. I think taking this album out of its musical context removes any sense of the awe it should probably inspire in me. It just sounds like well-performed but nondescript jazz - really nice as background music though. I'm expecting later Miles Davis work to excite me a lot more. Listens: 1
Not me.....
Very relaxing music to have going on in the background.
YES. No new wave or Britpop today baby. WOOOO *shoots guns in the air* HA HA WOOOO. Alright. I’ve been told by my parole officer that even writing about a celebratory gun shot could have me back in Sing Sing by the end of the week, so I would like to apologize and rescind my earlier firearms based enthusiasm. I will however load this water gun full of champagne and what? No? Ugh. Get in a drunken brawl with a mannequin ONE time and I’m paying for it with my life. This world is the true prison. Miles. Ease the pain, would you? Move - These drum fills are electrifying. Extremely apt song title as this thing rips along really nicely. Jeru - The Damaja? Fun fact. No matter what I do with this site, when it reloads it brings up my review of Jeru the Damaja’s 1994 epic “The Sun Rises in the East.” A classic to be sure, but I am confounded by the daily appearance. No rambling can take away the smoothness of this track. Less exhilarating, but musically excellent and smooth as anything. Moon Dreams - Even smoother. The arms of wrought iron and synthetic steel dust the lunar surface. At one with the dusts of the orbiting giver of night’s warm glow. Bask in the majesty of earth’s warm presence. Glide through the cosmos. Venus De Milo - Mr. Simpson NOOOOOOO. What a shift in tone. This one is a little repetitive, but not bad at all. Obviously the big chart topper. Miles you scamp. Budo - I lack the knowledge to critique each and every note, but I will say I’m enjoying myself, and if that isn’t the true meaning of any of this, I don’t know what is. Deception - Really liked the energy of this one. What a crucial track review. “Can’t miss” writing from yours truly. You really have to hang on my every word. Godchild - He loves this godchild. Excellent bass based spine through this sucker. Boplicity - I don’t even know what this could possibly mean, but I’m all about fake words. Rocker - The Marty Janetty song. The drugs Israel - Uh oh. Good call on the lack of lyrics here. Don’t want to get too political on the track. They probably should stop slaughtering children. Rouge - This is another shade of red! And a makeup. I’m sorry I have nothing to say about the music. I am a fraud. Darn that Dream - AHHHHHH NO KILL IT AHH. Sorry. After half an hour of a vocalist free album, this weirdo nestling up to the mic kind of ruined my day. A rare stinker. Hmm. This was an interesting experiment. On one hand, it was enjoyable. Some real high points throughout and a general vibe that I enjoy. No lame 80’s pop disguised as meaningful art, no David Bowie. Life is good. However, I thought this was a little too “friendly” in places. Too many big band elements to take this onto a higher plane. John Coltrane and Miles Davis autoplayed after this and I can say with confidence that’s more my style. More improvisation, more left turns. Birth of the Cool is cool to be certain, but is it a full five piece purple suit with the sweet top hat and the bronze walrus topped cane? It most certainly isn’t. Oh well. None of us are born at our full evolution. Hey, im still picking glass out of my hair from when I tackled that mannequin off the second floor of the Bay. Damn government. 3.5 HIGHLIGHTS: Move, Deception
Good
Legendary and emotional
Now this is the kind of jazz I can get behind. 32 minutes of quality, pleasant listening. When it was over I was ready for more.
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.
Sonorous, jazzy, ear catching and cool
It was okay. Definitely not my favorite album of theirs
Not bad. Just can’t get behind jazz as much as I wish I could.
Yes, classic!
Perfect for a specific type of event (obviously legendary guy) that calls for instrumental jazz - fancy cocktail hour or blasting in the sonos of sick house, but not something I'm reaching to always put on
cool
More jazz. This didn't really do anything for me, but was also inoffensive. I kind of feel like if I listened to it once a day for a fortnight I would suddenly "get" it and find it amazing, but maybe that's me trying to convince myself that jazz isn't just beyond me. Either way I don't have the patience to try that experiment right now so I'm gonna rate this one straight down the middle
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
Nothing bad about it, but nothing that stood out too much either.
Not to my taste
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
Call this a cat cafe because these cats were COOKING
Solid wordless tunes. Can't say I love it but I'd listen again.
There are better Miles Davis albums out there
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
Love a bit of jazz, especially some Miles, but he has a million more interesting albums than this one. It's very middle of the road. Enjoyable enough while it's on, but let's be real, who is taking this over something like Bitches Brew or In A Silent Way?
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.
Enjoyed this before bed with headphones. Doesn’t grab the way Kind of Blue does but a good listen none the less
Not my favorite Miles
Was alright, but a bit boring for my taste.
Very cool indeed, title does not lie.
Remind me a bit of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s album with Getz
Bluesy and jazzy
After leaving Charlie Parker's quintet, Miles Davis started recording a different sort of jazz - cool jazz, Utilizing instrumentation that used unison to achieve a human voice-like effect, Davis began an experiment that expanded the range of jazz. Birth of The Cool is a compilation of tracks from two previous releases, all recorded during three sessions. Davis' incredible skills and remarkably extensive catalog have made him one of the most influential figures in jazz. Birth of The Cool was among the first of his recordings to show the world that he was not only a remarkably skilled player, but also a composer that would change the sound of modern jazz.
Good, enjoyed
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
If you like this kind of thing, I’m sure it’s great
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
Weirdly... awesome! Comparing this to his later opus would probably place this at an unfavorable position, but as a standalone compilation, this really bops. Really effortless to listen, with a great easy quality to it. Everyone is on top of their game, and they really bring out the cool in it. The only bad thing is that nothing stands out, but the plus side is that everything is good. ⭐⭐⭐
This is an album I found required sitting, undistrated in order to listen to. Being the first Miles Davis album in its entirety I sat through I had great expectations. The standout track for me was Boplicity, the other tracks are good but I didn't get the same energy from
Truly magnificent .
Great Jazz and very easy to listen to. Songs blend into each other which I think is a good and bad thing. Clearly inspired a ton of modern music. Not for me but legendary music for a reason. 7.3/10
Two Miles Davis in a week. I thought Kind of Blue was very accessible and this one seems even more so. I don't have the appreciation of jazz to see how this fits into the bigger picture of the genre but I loved this one. Rating: 4.7
Good music to work to.
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
Probably very good, but not as obviously timeless as Kind of Blue/ Sketches of Spain or arresting and challenging as his '65-'76 studio releases
Miles is the coolest
326/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑
classic jazz record.
Too much miles Davis too soon
Not a huge jazz fan
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.
The death of my attention span
I'm no jazz expert or aficionado, cool if that's your thing I suppose? But who changed the rules and let a compilation album in?
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.
Despite overall enjoyment, minus points for compilation album.
Classic Miles, incredible bops and some great solo moments. On par with sketches of spain imo.
While the sound here wasn't specifically my thing, I absolutely can tell it's being played masterfully. He makes the trumpet sound completely effortless like it's the easiest thing in the world to play. Having a best friend growing up who was a complete band geek trumpet player, I know that takes tremendous skill. While I don't think I will listen again, this is absolutely something you should hear before you die.
Very pleasant Jazz. Shorter tracks played by incredibly skilled musicians.
nice and well done, but nothing particularly interesting to me
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!
I think I've always been on Team "Fusion-Jazz Miles" as opposed to "Cool Jazz Miles", though both have their perks. And I mean, it's Miles Davis, and while this is no 'Kind of Blue', in essence, you're getting a very similar vibe, idea, and aesthetic. You have a song like 'Moon Dreams' which is much slower and more melancholic, and then your more upbeat, airy songs like 'Rocker' with these fluttery solos and a nice refrain. Not a standout in his discography by any means, but a short and enjoyable experience nevertheless.
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.
Solid, relaxing trumpet music. Nothing really stood out to me as amazing, but it was solid, and I'd be happy to listen to it any time.
It all sounded the same. One track after the next!
Sounds too much like a cartoon soundtrack
Jazz. Smooth, cool, laidback. Not doing it for me at all
Welp, I listened to the whole album and couldn’t tell the difference between any of the songs except the last one where there’s a guy singing. The rest are just jazzy and lots of trumpet solos. I don’t feel like I know enough jazz that I’m not a good one to critique this. 2/5
Shocked how much I enjoyed this one, energetic burst of energy. Gives me a certain spring in my step
Good album. I'm not a jazz fan, but you can't deny the talent of Miles Davis. I might use it for background or music to unplug to.
very original jazz. driving beat with soft bass and quiet hi-hat. Punchy but soft trumpet. Half the album was a psuedo "solo" from a jazz band. Decent.
# 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
Not a huge fan of this type of jazz. Interested in listening to more jazz however.
I'm a total Jazz poser, but this album is definitely cool. If I understood Jazz better, it might get a 5.
I'm sure it's genius and I'm just too unrefined to get it. 2/5
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
Incredible!
איש מוכשר מאוד ומוזיקאי בחסד קשה להתחבר לאלבום אינסטרומנטלי
פעם ראשונה שומע אלבום גאז שלם ואהבתי
can’t go wrong with some great jazz on a sunny morning
Massively important. The only question is: When you're that cool, how do you know it? How did they know they were birthing The Cool?
Pure magic
A nice album. I enjoyed it. It’s hard to make music like this now. It ages really well.
Not my first time listening but it’s still mostly lost on me. This is like THE jazz album and I just can’t follow it super well. I absolutely enjoyed parts as well as disliked parts but I am confident that my opinion on this should be taken with a grain of salt. 3 for neutrality because I don’t think my uncultured, Neanderthal-forehead ass has any ground to critique Miles Davis.
I took a 'History of Jazz' class in college and this was obviously included. Boplicity was on the final exam, where the professor played the first 30 seconds of a song and we had to know what it was. it will always stick out for me, and it brings up some lovely memories of studying jazz with one of my best friends from college, sitting in my room just recounting jazz facts and listening to our jazz playlist of songs. that being said, I respect Miles Davis obviously and his influence on the genre. This album, while I could definitely throw it on for the background of a party or something, I probably wouldn't seek it out to listen to it on my own under a regular circumstance. that said, Miles Davis is cool as hell and is one of the GOATs.
I really enjoyed vibing out to this. Not the typical 3 star, but I think for this type of album, I enjoyed it a lot more than others on the list.
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?
This feels like the standard that all jazz album should be held up to. It has highs and lows. It's fast and slow. The recording is crisp and clear. There's a variety of instruments that's lead by an absolutely perfect horn performance. It's short enough that it left me wanting more. I really can't find a single thing wrong with this album.
Jazz Trompeter aus den 50ern. Ist ok, aber nicht meine Musikrichtung. 2/5
Good
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
this was fun but got lowkey repetitive towards the end and im not a big trumpet guy myself but i can see why mr. davis is a big deal
I guess I don’t consider peeing my pants to be cool.
My third Miles Davis album on this list. I find myself having similar feelings to this as the other two. I think that people that play an instrument would get more out of this than non players like myself. I do love seeing albums from the 50's pop up though, it's a refreshing change of pace.
It’s interesting that Winthrop Sargeant didn’t really consider this music jazz. At the time, perhaps it took jazz in a whole new direction, but listening to it now, I know it as pretty textbook jazz music.
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.
Early Miles is a lot swingier than I imagined. Swingier is not a word, but you know what I mean. I like it. I like the cocaine and funk more, though.
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
I just get so bored of this stuff after like 20 min. The sort of meandering nature isn't my thing. I like more structure i guess. Even if it's just like each guy solo-ing for a while around a common melodic theme. Something to tie stuff together.
Outstanding
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.
I’m sure this album is more to some, but to me, other than something to put on at a dinner party, it’s not giving me much.
21/1001 In the town where I was born, grew up and still call home to this day, Tuesday evenings are frequently, although less so in recent years, accompanied by bell ringing rehearsals at the parish church, the unmistakable sound of which can be heard pretty much right across town. It is my understanding - and I may be completely wrong about this - that the seemingly random noises they produce during these sessions is the result of something called "change ringing", wherein they ring the peal of six bells in a system determined more by mathematical sequences than by any consideration for musicality and melody. I could not possibly begin to comment on how skilled our local campanologists were, nor how accurately and satisfactorily they were executing the changes, because, regardless of any notion of skill or proficiency in execution, the resulting sound was still an ABSOLUTELY F**KING MEANINGLESS DIRGE to my ears. And this, I regret to inform you, is also all true of Miles Davis, jazz music in general and this album. Miles Davis may be the best jazz musician to have ever graced this planet - I simply could not tell you from listening to these tracks, pieces of music which exist to move me not one iota. If playing every note there is, in every possible articulation and every imaginable sequence is the goal, then he surely wins the prize. Congratulations, Miles.
Helt ok. Fan av miles. Kanskje er dette en grower men basert på en halvhjertet gjennomhøring traff ikke denne meg helt
Yes laaawd gimme more of that
Deilig palate cleanser. No comments.
really good
truly a beedop boopow day! jazz is such an incredibly powerful and creative form of art. miles davis has truly left a remarkable mark on this art form
Toot toot
Very familiar as I own this one on vinyl. Smooth.
I just don't like jazz. It gives me the heebie jeebies.
Love the blues
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.
are we dealing in compilation albums now mr dimery? i see, i see apparently its a very important album for the history of cool jazz, this is one instance where i dont know enough and i have to judge it as it stands, and it sounds like a decently pleasant jazz album for its time
It’s Miles.
Wäre mit Gesang geiler, aber ist trotzdem schön und entspannend
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
I continue to have absolutely no idea whether any particular jazz album is good or not. They almost universally strike me as fine for background music, and I can also almost universally say that I didn't specifically enjoy much about them. 2.5 I guess?
This is an all time great record.
you know that moment in the movie 'ratatouille' where Remy takes a bite of a piece of cheese and a strawberry and he sees these moving colors as the flavor reveals itself? ya this album is just that. one of the best of this early experiment.
Miles Davis is great, but this album runs into the same issue I have with a lot of jazz albums - it’s just a series of musical phrases without any overarching theme or melody. As impressive as some solos can be (especially live), a solo by itself isn’t a song.
Jazzy
Move - Enjoyed, nothing special to me Jeru - Remined me of old Christmas movies Moon Dreams - A little more solemn Venus De Milo - Not much to say Budo - Quite lively, nothing special Deception - Fine Godchild - Fine Boplicity - Fine Rocker - Fine Israel - Eh, fine Rouge - Fine, all starting to sound the same now Darn That Dream - SINGING!! HAZZAH!! Refreshing, very classic The live section of the album was fun. Final thoughts: while I appreciate the skill, this wasn't really my cup of tea. Found the compositions a bit repetitive and started to get bored towards the end.
I like boplicity and some of the brighter, lighter tracks, the darker ones like deception are grating. Melodies are really sweet, horn driven stuff is unique and different to what I have listened to. I like that.
cool as hell.
Loved this. One of the true jazz masters at his best.
Loved this. Complex yet accessible. Exciting.
Not bad but to me it only has not aged that well. But since I’m not a huge jazz fan maybe that’s why I don’t think it’s the greatest document.
Classic jazz is growing on me but still not really my thing
Honestly, I can't believe I wasn't impressed by Miles Davis. I've listened to quite a few of his albums, so when this popped up I was quite excited. This is fairly pedestrian fare for Davis. Nothing particularly memorable, but also not bad. Just good listenable Jazz.
I enjoy Miles Davis as much as the next generic white person. There’s some really cool parts in this record. As much as it is impressive, it’s just not my over all type of music. But I feel I can identify greatness.
Yes!!!! Sublime music!
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.
With someone as renowned as Miles Davis you expect an album from him to be sensational. And with a taste for jazz like mine you’d expect me to love it. This, however, didn’t stand out to me so much, nothing really piqued my interest. That’s not to say it was a bad album but it just wasn’t quite what I was expecting or hoping it would be. I think I need to understand jazz better to really be able to appreciate the beauty of this album, but for now this album is just alright. Update: after more listens I definitely appreciate this album a lot more. Double update: I get it now. The mere thought of dying without having heard this album in my life is nightmarish to me.
Really not my cup of tea at all. I find it very distracting listening to jazz in general.
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.
It happily played in the background while I was having breakfast; forgetting it was even on. 3/5
Interesting
A great compilation album of tunes recorded in 1949 & 1950 that would go on to define cool jazz.
I like Miles but this seemed a bit dated. Good, but too structured to not sound dated.
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
Jazz
Eh another jazz Edit: changing from a 2 to a 3 on Oct 5 2025, I like jazz a bit more now
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"
I'm not quite sure I'd say it plodded along, but this album moved at a pace or with a style that didn't captivate me. Venus de Milo jumped out at me. Budo maybe stayed there with some good energy to start. After that? It mostly just blended into the background again. The album is here because it was the start of cool jazz. And I can't appreciate that because I don't know what jazz was before, during or after. Sorry if I missed the landmark-ness of this album or if I'm not paying enough respect to the legend or genius that is Miles Davis. But next.
Except for when they shift to slower songs, almost everything on this album sounds the same to me and pretty basic jazz. I get that the style may have been unique when it came out, but the uniqueness is subtle and still doesn't change the fact that the style is too same-same throughout. Fine as background music, but didn't draw me in.
I remember this as being one of the few jazz albums I find mildly enjoyable, and it still was! Mildly enjoyable, I mean. And is anyone better than Miles Davis at album titles?
Miles may have not of fathered Cool, but he was there at the baptism. Nice early, if not tame, Miles
Perfect album
17/02/25 An easy 5 stars. Proper elevator music, but good.
This is #day193 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... that's a cool way to start the week. I've only listened to Kind of Blue a few times and Bitches Brew maybe once or twice, so I'm not too versed in Miles Davis's catalog, and neither I'm a jazz connoisseur. Sure, I've heard terms like bebop, hard bop, free jazz, and so on, but I can't use them properly. So, for me, jazz boils down to whether I like it or not, sparking some personal associations. Like, with Birth of the Cool, it's fun to observe its accessibility. The songs are all pretty short, usually under 3.5 minutes, giving them a pop-song vibe. There's a nice balance of uptempo and slower tracks. When I think of jazz like this, I'm reminded of the Dzyga Art Center and the Jazz Bez festival in my hometown of Lviv, which I used to attend around 2010-2011. It was a very fragile time in my life, but somehow those memories have stuck with me. The album’s release year, 1957, also makes me think of the Beat Generation... On the Road by Jack Kerouac was published that same year, and I think there might be a connection here. With more of Davis's albums down the road, I'm giving this one a 3. Looking forward to #day194.
great listening.
Background music. I forgot I was listening to it. I think his later albums got more experimental and I assume they are on this list, but this feels a little generic. Great musicianship is stellar but I zoned out...
I don't even like jazz
Jazz: nope Miles Davis Jazz: double nope
chill jazz…makes me feel like im in a coffeee shop, the trumpet playing was very nice and it was just nice and cool
I liked it, it was good music, not quite my style though
Jazz just bores me, man. I'm sorry.
jazz might be ok
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.
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.
Jeru Boplicity Israel
Nothing mind-blowing. Pretty good for a jazz album.
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
This is like my fifth or sixth jazz album I gotten so far, and if I’m being brutally honest, I’m starting to realize that jazz albums do nothing for me. I give every album generated for me a fair chance, but for most of the jazz albums, my attention always wanes and I can never remember any of the tracks I listened to. There might be exceptions further down the line, but I’m starting to doubt it. This album is an example of that. The album makes for some cool background noise and can definitely spice up a number of occasions. And I know Miles Davis is one of the best jazz players to live. His Kind of Blue did leave an impression on me. But unlike that album, this one didn’t leave me with much. Just a collection of recordings from various years. Nothing really to me that sticks out as memorable. I don’t know how many jazz albums are left for me. There might as well be around 100, it seems. That’s probably gonna be a lot of 3’s in the future. Favorite track: Boplicity Other hits (if I had to pick): Moon Dreams, Rocker, Venus De Milo
jazz... niet mijn ding, maar er staan heel wat slechtere dingen in deze lijst
If I’m putting this against other essential Miles albums I’ve got to give it a 3/5. I enjoyed this record but I know there are a better ones out there
I like a jazz album as much as the next guy
I liked it.
7/10
Was worried after Bitches Brew but this was nice
Much better than the Beatles
move - i like the drums pretty nice yippee not something i would normally listen to though jeru - pretty fun and jazzy but feels very long like far longer than 3mins moon dreams - very pretty and relaxing i like it venus de milo - grooving and yet so gentle...... in love budo - back to groovin yippee do do do do do do deception - grooving a little hard but not too much. acceptable godchild - once again acceptable groove levels. quite nice boplicity - for the title not much of a bop. but nice and pleasant and relaxing anyway rocker - yeah slight banger cant lie. do do do israel - no right to be as much of a banger as it is this is a bit too fun rouge - bit of a banger too omg........ darn that dream - WHY IS THERE A SINGER???????????????/ bit snoozy i cant lie overall - nice album and probably very very good for the time!!!! wouldnt actively choose to listen to it and probably a lot more fun to dance to rather than listen
jahas koksi paiskamassa biisiä. tässä kiirehdillään kotiin kokoakoajan. oajan pitää olla vaihtamassa biisiä. tässä kiirehdillään kotiin kokoajan. paiskita ei halua, kaikkea muuta halutaan paitsi paiskia.w living (in ww living (in w ei n pitää olla vaihtamastiin kokoajan. paiskita ei halua, kaikkea muuta halutaan pasa biisiä. tässä kiirehdillään kotiin kokoakoajan. paiskita ei halua, kaikkea muuta halutaan paitsi paiskamassa biisiä. tässä kiirehdillään kotiin kokoakoajan. paia ei halua, akea muuta halutaanalutaan pasa biisiä. tässä kiirehdillään kotiin kokoako paitsi paiotiin kokoajan. paiskita ei halua, kaikkea muuta halutaan paskamassa bii godchild
Not being much of a jazz lover I was surprised how enjoyable it was. Will listen to more
A compilation album that doesn’t feel like a compilation album. Super cool.
Was expecting to really enjoy this and instead found it tedious
5/5 on my music to cook dinner to.
Totally fine. Finding through this project that jazz isn’t really my thing but I don’t find it aurally offensive or anything
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.
Felt like a pretty average jazz album to me. Not more, not less.
Smooth jazz is a genre I think benefits a lot from being played live. I don't mean as a live album but as physically going to a concert. Without that, smooth jazz never really reaches the heights of other jazz for me. I never get that "bite-a-lemon-feeling" that i get from more energetic jazz. Still this is perfectly good, maybe even great if this is your groove.
Definitely ’Cool’! A good listen, more upbeat than some of his other work.
Jazz sounds so frenetic to me and so tuneless. I understand he’s talented but I’m in no position to assess that. To me: 2/5
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.
I like the one that sounds like the theme to Bewitched. In fact a lot of these sound like 60s TV show themes or Carry On film themes. I still don’t really like jazz, but this is definitely at the better end of the spectrum.
Perfectly fine, jazz isn't my go to genre but I enjoyed it enough. No real strong feelings, sorry for the brief review!
"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!
Really wanted to enjoy this album more, but it's just too unmemorable.
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.
I’ve come to learn jazz is nice driving music, especially at night. Had Moon Dreams on repeat. 3.5/5
Solid jazz album
Pretty neat. What I think of when I think of jazz. Still not really my thing but still good. Kind of Blue edges it out as the better Miles Davis album to me. 3
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
kind of ok
1) Moon dreams 2) Darn that dream 3) Boplicity 25/01/2025
Can't do big band or jazz
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.
Sometimes an album is able to invoke a time and a place, and this one surely does. I felt like I was in a Jazz Lounge with a martini, with smoke filled air. It was cool, It was fun. Also interesting that the compositions were limited by the format they were produced in, so all the songs end up being about the same length.