Released 69 years ago this October
Miles Ahead
Miles Davis · 1957
52 min · 14 tracks · jazz
An orchestral blend of cool jazz textures and intricate arrangements, showcasing Davis's innovative approach to improvisation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Springsville Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Blues for Pablo — This track exemplifies the album's blend of structured orchestration and improvisational freedom, featuring rich harmonies and expressive solos that highlight Davis's musical vision.
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The Maids of Cadiz — With its lush instrumentation and dramatic phrasing, this piece showcases Davis’s ability to merge classical influences with jazz sensibilities, pushing boundaries of genre.
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Miles Ahead — The title track encapsulates the innovative spirit of the album, featuring dynamic shifts and an engaging interplay between Davis's trumpet and the orchestral backdrop.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album blends orchestral elements with jazz, showcasing strong composition and craft while maintaining a cohesive yet varied structure.
What we noticed
- The first five tracks feature lush orchestral arrangements that complement Davis's trumpet, creating a rich soundscape.
- Several tracks incorporate intricate counterpoint between the orchestra and the solo trumpet, enhancing the dynamic interplay.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- 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
- lush orchestral soundscapes for relaxation
- cinematic moments for reflective evenings
- melodic exploration with emotional depth
- short tracks for focused listening
- varied takes for detailed comparisons
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy party tracks
- prefer straightforward structures
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — First collaboration with Gil Evans, influencing cool jazz and establishing Davis's reputation.
- Themes
- cinematic jazz landscapes· orchestral innovation· Duke Ellington tribute
- Career context
- Released in 1957, Miles Ahead marked a significant shift in Miles Davis's career as it showcased his move towards orchestration in jazz. This album followed the acclaimed 'Kind of Blue' and set the stage for his exploration of modal jazz and collaborative arrangements with large ensembles, establishing his reputation as a pioneer in the genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John Coltrane· Herbie Hancock· Wayne Shorter
Tracklist
- 1 Springsville Start here 3:27
- 2 The Maids of Cadiz 3:53
- 3 The Duke 3:34
- 4 My Ship 4:27
- 5 Miles Ahead 3:29
- 6 Blues for Pablo 5:18
- 7 New Rhumba 4:36
- 8 The Meaning of the Blues 2:48
- 9 Lament 2:14
- 10 I Don’t Wanna Be Kissed (by Anyone but You) 3:11
- 11 Springsville (remake take 7) 3:16
- 12 Blues for Pablo (take 1) 3:32
- 13 Medley: The Meaning of the Blues / Lament (rehearsal) 5:09
- 14 I Don’t Wanna Be Kissed (by Anyone but You) (alternate take) 3:11
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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