Is Four & More a good place to start with Miles Davis?

Yes, Four & More is recommended as a starting point for new Miles Davis listeners. A vibrant tapestry of modal jazz featuring intricate improvisations and a dynamic interplay between musicians that captivates the listener. At the time of its release in January 1966, Miles Davis was transitioning from his innovative modal jazz phase into more experimental styles. 'Four & More' serves as a live recording that showcases his groundbreaking work with the second great quintet, following the acclaimed 'Miles Smiles' from 1966, further solidifying Davis's influence on modern jazz.

Who is Four & More for?

Four & More works well if you're into dynamic ensemble interplay throughout, extended tracks for deep engagement and vibrant energy for focused listening.

How many songs are on Four & More?

Four & More has 8 tracks, running approximately 53 minutes.

Released 60 years ago

Four & More

Miles Davis · 1966

53 min · 8 tracks · jazz

A vibrant tapestry of modal jazz featuring intricate improvisations and a dynamic interplay between musicians that captivates the listener.

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Top tracks — play these first

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So What Start here — The opening track highlights the quintessential modal jazz approach, with its iconic bass line and collective improvisation setting the tone for creativity throughout the album.
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There Is No Greater Love — This rendition transforms a standard into an emotional exploration, showcasing both lyrical phrasing and intricate communication among band members, emblematic of Davis's style.
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Seven Steps to Heaven — This track features a captivating blend of melody and improvisation, demonstrating the group's cohesiveness and skill in navigating complex harmonic structures.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

79 /100

Summit

Higher than 99% of albums we've rated

The album excels in composition and craft, showcasing vibrant improvisation while maintaining a cohesive sound.

What we noticed

The album features extended improvisations, with each track allowing musicians to explore themes in depth, often exceeding the typical length for jazz pieces.
Tracks like 'So What' and 'Four' showcase a call-and-response structure between Davis's trumpet and the ensemble, creating dynamic interplay.
The performance is characterized by a consistent modal approach, with harmonic structures that allow for fluid improvisation rather than strict chord changes.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

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

dynamic ensemble interplay throughout
extended tracks for deep engagement
vibrant energy for focused listening
cathartic moments of improvisation

Maybe skip if you

prefer short, standalone tracks
seek instant gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Captures a significant live performance, showcasing Davis's innovative sound and influence.
Themes: New York concert energy· modal jazz exploration· live improvisational dynamics
Career context: At the time of its release in January 1966, Miles Davis was transitioning from his innovative modal jazz phase into more experimental styles. 'Four & More' serves as a live recording that showcases his groundbreaking work with the second great quintet, following the acclaimed 'Miles Smiles' from 1966, further solidifying Davis's influence on modern jazz.
Stylistic neighbors: John Coltrane· Herbie Hancock· Wayne Shorter