Released 30 years ago
Highlights from the Plugged Nickel
Miles Davis · 1996
73 min · 6 tracks · jazz
A mesmerizing collection of live performances showcasing the improvisational brilliance and intricate interplay of jazz legends in their prime.
Top tracks — play these first
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So What — The iconic modal structure allows for expansive improvisation, showcasing the musicians' virtuosity while remaining anchored in a memorable theme.
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'Round About Midnight — This haunting ballad features a delicate interplay between the horns and rhythm section, embodying the emotional depth that characterizes Davis's best work.
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Milestones Start here — The track serves as a brilliant showcase for complex harmonies and rhythmic shifts, exemplifying the collaborative spirit of Davis's ensemble.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album captures vibrant live improvisation, showcasing distinct instrumentation and dynamic interplay among musicians.
What we noticed
- The album features extended improvisations, with each track often exceeding ten minutes, allowing musicians to explore themes in depth.
- Each performance showcases a dynamic interplay between the musicians, with spontaneous shifts in tempo and mood throughout the tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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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
- intense improvisational live energy
- long tracks for deep engagement
- soulful melodies with emotional depth
- late-night club atmosphere
Maybe skip if you
- prefer short, standalone tracks
- seek predictable song structures
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Showcases Miles Davis's return to live performance with significant historical context.
- Themes
- Chicago jazz scene· electric improvisation· 1960s musical evolution
- Career context
- By the time 'Highlights from the Plugged Nickel' was released in 1996, Miles Davis had solidified his reputation as a pioneering figure in jazz. This compilation revisits recordings from a historic 1965 engagement at the Plugged Nickel club in Chicago, highlighting a transformative period when Davis was evolving into modal jazz and beyond.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John Coltrane· Herbie Hancock· Wayne Shorter
Tracklist
- 1 Milestones Start here 11:36
- 2 Yesterdays 15:09
- 3 So What 13:39
- 4 Stella by Starlight 13:12
- 5 Walkin' 11:01
- 6 'Round About Midnight 8:41
What to play next
The Complete Studio Recordings of The Miles Davis Quintet 1965–1968
1998
Continues the exploration of electric jazz with rich improvisation and ensemble dynamics.
The Complete Live at the Plugged Nickel 1965
1995
Sets the stage for the live energy and improvisational style found in Highlights.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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