Is In Europe a good place to start with Miles Davis?

Yes, In Europe is recommended as a starting point for new Miles Davis listeners. A dynamic interplay of improvisation and melody, showcasing the essence of jazz in a live European setting. By the time 'In Europe' was released in January 1964, Miles Davis was already an established innovator in jazz, following his groundbreaking album 'Kind of Blue' from 1959. This album captures Davis during a prolific period where he was exploring modal jazz and expanding his global influence, particularly in Europe. The recording reflects his ensemble’s tightness and their ability to transcend conventional boundaries of jazz performance.

Who is In Europe for?

In Europe works well if you're into extended improvisations that captivate, melancholic melodies for deep reflection and late-night solitude with introspection.

How many songs are on In Europe?

In Europe has 7 tracks, running approximately 80 minutes.

In Europe

Miles Davis · 1964

80 min · 7 tracks · jazz

A dynamic interplay of improvisation and melody, showcasing the essence of jazz in a live European setting.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Autumn Leaves Start here — This track exemplifies the emotive power of Davis's trumpet, weaving through complex harmonies while leaving space for expressive improvisation from the ensemble.
→
Milestones — A quintessential example of modal jazz, this track features intricate solos that highlight both Davis's innovative approach and the group's cohesive sound.
→
Walkin' — The extended exploration in this piece showcases the rhythmic versatility and improvisational skills of the musicians, capturing the essence of live jazz performance.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

73 /100

Alpine

Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

The album captures Miles Davis's improvisational prowess and ensemble dynamics, marking a significant moment in jazz history.

What we noticed

The album features extended improvisational sections, with each track allowing the musicians to explore themes and motifs in depth.
Each piece varies in tempo and intensity, with 'Milestones' introducing a more upbeat feel before returning to slower tempos in subsequent tracks.

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

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

extended improvisations that captivate
melancholic melodies for deep reflection
late-night solitude with introspection
immersive experience for attentive listeners

Maybe skip if you

seekers of quick gratification
prefer upbeat, fast-paced tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Captures a significant artistic evolution post-'Kind of Blue' with high-quality live performances.
Themes: European jazz scene· live improvisation· post-'Kind of Blue' evolution
Career context: By the time 'In Europe' was released in January 1964, Miles Davis was already an established innovator in jazz, following his groundbreaking album 'Kind of Blue' from 1959. This album captures Davis during a prolific period where he was exploring modal jazz and expanding his global influence, particularly in Europe. The recording reflects his ensemble’s tightness and their ability to transcend conventional boundaries of jazz performance.
Stylistic neighbors: John Coltrane· Herbie Hancock· Wayne Shorter