Aura
Miles Davis · 1989
66 min · 10 tracks · jazz
A vibrant exploration of color through intricate jazz compositions, blending orchestral arrangements with Davis's signature trumpet sound.
Top tracks — play these first
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Intro Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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White — This track opens the album with a delicate balance of melody and rhythm, setting the stage for the auditory journey through colors. Its intricate arrangement showcases the seamless blend of jazz improvisation with lush orchestration.
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Red — A standout piece that embodies intensity and passion, 'Red' features bold trumpet lines and dynamic shifts that capture Davis's improvisational prowess. Its complex structure invites listeners to engage deeply with both melody and harmony.
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Blue — 'Blue' encapsulates the emotional depth of the album through its somber tones and reflective melodies, illustrating how color can evoke profound feelings in music. The interplay between instruments adds layers of texture that enhance its melancholic theme.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalAura showcases a unique blend of colors through innovative jazz fusion, making it distinct in Davis's discography.
What we noticed
- Each track is named after a color, and the music reflects distinct moods associated with those colors through varying instrumentation and dynamics.
- The running time of the tracks varies significantly, with some pieces being concise while others extend into more exploratory territory, allowing for improvisation.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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
- vibrant exploration of soundscapes
- immersive listening for deep focus
- dynamic interplay of textures
- patient unfolding of musical ideas
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer structured formats
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — The album features a deliberate blend of orchestral and electronic textures, deviating from his earlier styles.
- Themes
- vibrant color palette· avant-garde jazz fusion· orchestral textures
- Career context
- By the time of 'Aura's release in 1989, Miles Davis was in a period of artistic reinvention, having returned to the studio after a five-year hiatus. This album marked his first collaboration with arranger and composer Quincy Jones, showcasing a fusion of jazz and orchestral elements that diverged from his earlier work.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John Coltrane· Herbie Hancock· Wayne Shorter
Tracklist
- 1 Intro Start here 4:28
- 2 White 6:07
- 3 Yellow 6:49
- 4 Orange 8:36
- 5 Red 9:56
- 6 Green 4:24
- 7 Blue 6:37
- 8 Electric Red 4:18
- 9 Indigo 6:01
- 10 Violet 9:01
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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