What makes Miles by Miles Davis Quintet notable?

This album is significant for its critical acclaim, establishing the Miles Davis Quintet as a leading force in modern jazz. It received notable reviews from major publications and marked a pivotal point in Davis's career, paving the way for future experimentation in jazz forms. In 1956, the Miles Davis Quintet was transitioning into a period of heightened creativity following the success of their earlier work. 'Miles' represents a crucial moment in Davis's career as it showcases his innovative approach to jazz that would influence countless musicians in the years to come.

How many songs are on Miles?

Miles has 6 tracks, running approximately 34 minutes.

Released 70 years ago

Miles

Miles Davis Quintet · 1956

34 min · 6 tracks · jazz

A vibrant blend of intricate melodies and cool improvisation that defines the essence of mid-century jazz.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Just Squeeze Me — This track exemplifies the Quintet's ability to fuse intricate harmonies with emotional depth, showcasing both technical prowess and lyrical expression.
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There Is No Greater Love — The track features a stunning interplay between the instruments, highlighting the band's chemistry and improvisational skill while maintaining a soulful core.
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Stablemates — Notable for its complex time signatures and syncopated rhythms, this piece illustrates the Quintet's adventurous spirit and commitment to pushing jazz boundaries.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

70 /100

Alpine

Higher than 94% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong compositions and skilled improvisation, marking an important phase in jazz history.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of call-and-response between the trumpet and saxophone, creating a dynamic interplay throughout.
Each track maintains a moderate tempo, with intricate solos that showcase the musicians' improvisational skills.
The final track, 'Stablemates', serves as a reflective conclusion, featuring a slower pace and more subdued dynamics compared to earlier pieces.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Just Squeeze Me 7:31
2 There Is No Greater Love 5:23
3 How Am I to Know? 4:43
4 S'posin' 5:19
5 The Theme 5:53
6 Stablemates 5:20

What to play next

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Miles Davis Quintet

1954

Full Miles Davis Quintet discography Artists like Miles Davis Quintet

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata