Miles Davis Quartet
Miles Davis · 1954
28 min · 7 tracks · jazz
A smooth blend of cool and hard bop, showcasing intricate melodies and subtle improvisation that defines Davis's innovative sound.
Top tracks — play these first
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When Lights Are Low Start here — This track opens the album with a gentle, swinging rhythm that perfectly encapsulates the cool jazz aesthetic, setting the mood for the entire record.
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Miles Ahead — A standout composition that showcases Davis's lyrical trumpet style, it is emblematic of his ability to blend complex harmonies with accessible melodies.
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Blue Haze — Featuring a hauntingly beautiful melody, this track highlights the emotional depth of the quartet and showcases the interplay between Davis's trumpet and the accompanying instruments.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases sophisticated arrangements and strong ensemble playing, marking a key moment in jazz evolution.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks maintain a consistent mid-tempo groove, while the subsequent tracks introduce varying dynamics and tempos.
- Each piece is structured around a central theme, allowing for extended solos that explore harmonic variations.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
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
- smooth atmospheric evening ambiance
- short bursts of melodic interplay
- intimate listening with close attention
- subtle rhythms for relaxed moments
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy tracks
- prefer longer immersive experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked a significant transition in Davis's sound and solidified his reputation.
- Themes
- mid-century jazz evolution· smooth atmospheric tones· intimate improvisational dialogue
- Career context
- Released in January 1954, this album captures Miles Davis during his transition from the bebop movement to developing his unique cool jazz style. It serves as a follow-up to his earlier works, reflecting his growing reputation as a bandleader and innovator in jazz.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John Coltrane· Herbie Hancock· Wayne Shorter
Tracklist
- 1 When Lights Are Low Start here 3:24
- 2 Tune Up 3:53
- 3 Miles Ahead 4:27
- 4 Smooch 3:05
- 5 Four 4:01
- 6 That Old Devil Moon 3:23
- 7 Blue Haze 6:05
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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