Ascenseur pour l'échafaud
Miles Davis · 1958
73 min · 26 tracks · jazz
A haunting blend of cool jazz and atmospheric improvisation that evokes the tension of a noir thriller.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Nuit sur les Champs‐Élysées (take 1) Start here — This opening track sets the atmospheric tone for the entire score, with its slow, sultry pace capturing the essence of Parisian nightlife.
-
→
Assassinat (take 3) (L’Assassinat de Carala) — This piece combines tension and drama through its use of dissonance and sparse instrumentation, reflecting the film's pivotal moment of crisis.
-
→
Générique — As the closing theme, it encapsulates the emotional weight of the story while showcasing Davis's improvisational prowess over a minimalist backdrop.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases innovative improvisation and a unique atmosphere, marking a significant moment in jazz history.
What we noticed
- The album consists of multiple takes for each piece, allowing for variations in mood and expression across the tracks.
- Each track is relatively short, often under three minutes, which contributes to a fragmented yet cohesive narrative flow.
- The instrumentation primarily features trumpet, piano, and bass, creating a sparse and atmospheric sound that complements the film's noir aesthetic.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- haunting soundscapes for reflection
- dynamic progression with resolution
- wave-like pacing for deep listening
- immersive experience of parisian noir
- short tracks for quick sessions
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat, energetic vibes
- prefer standalone tracks over cohesion
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked Davis's transition to modal jazz, gaining wider recognition.
- Themes
- Parisian noir· cinematic tension· mid-century improvisation
- Moods
- Melancholy· Introspective
- Career context
- Released in 1958, 'Ascenseur pour l'échafaud' was pivotal for Miles Davis as it marked his transition into film scoring. This album followed his acclaimed work on 'Kind of Blue' and showcased his ability to convey emotion through minimalistic yet powerful compositions, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in jazz.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John Coltrane· Herbie Hancock· Wayne Shorter
Tracklist
- 1 Nuit sur les Champs‐Élysées (take 1) Start here 2:26
- 2 Nuit sur les Champs‐Élysées (take 2) 5:23
- 3 Nuit sur les Champs‐Élysées (take 3) (Générique) 2:53
- 4 Nuit sur les Champs‐Élysées (take 4) (Florence sur les Champs-Élysées) 3:01
- 5 Assassinat (take 1) (Visite du vigile) 2:05
- 6 Assassinat (take 2) (Julien dans l’ascenseur) 2:12
- 7 Assassinat (take 3) (L’Assassinat de Carala) 2:12
- 8 Motel (Dîner au motel) 3:59
- 9 Final (take 1) 3:07
- 10 Final (take 2) 3:03
- 11 Final (take 3) (Chez le photographe du motel) 4:07
- 12 Ascenseur (Évasion de Julien) 1:59
- 13 Le Petit Bal (take 1) 2:42
- 14 Le Petit Bal (take 2) (Au bar du Petit Bac) 2:57
- 15 Séquence voiture (take 1) 3:00
- 16 Séquence voiture (take 2) (Sur l’autoroute) 2:16
- 17 Générique 2:49
- 18 L’Assasinat de Carala 2:11
- 19 Sur l’autoroute 2:19
- 20 Julien dans l’ascenseur 2:11
- 21 Florence sur les Champs‐Élysées 2:52
- 22 Dîner au motel 3:58
- 23 Évasion de Julien 0:53
- 24 Visite du vigile 2:05
- 25 Au bar du Petit Bac 2:53
- 26 Chez le photographe du motel 3:55
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.