Released 70 years ago
Miles Davis Volume 1
Miles Davis · 1956
58 min · 15 tracks · jazz
A lush interplay of cool jazz melodies and intricate rhythms that defines a pivotal moment in modern jazz.
Top tracks — play these first
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Dear Old Stockholm Start here — This track exemplifies the album's core aesthetic, blending lyrical melodies with improvisational depth, showcasing Davis's trumpet mastery.
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Yesterdays — The arrangement captures a haunting beauty, allowing Davis’s emotional expression through subtle phrasing and dynamic control.
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How Deep Is the Ocean — Davis's interpretation brings a fresh perspective to this classic standard, highlighting his unique approach to melody and harmony.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album blends cool jazz and bebop elements, showcasing strong improvisation and craftsmanship but lacks a cohesive narrative flow.
What we noticed
- Each track showcases intricate interplay between the instruments, with Davis's trumpet often leading while other instruments provide harmonic support.
- Several tracks feature extended improvisation sections, allowing musicians to explore themes in depth rather than adhering strictly to written melodies.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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
- elegant improvisation for relaxation
- warm melodies for late evenings
- playful interactions among musicians
- intimate moments of musical dialogue
- soothing background for thoughtful reflection
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy dance tracks
- prefer straightforward structures
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album established Davis as a key figure in the cool jazz movement.
- Themes
- cool jazz evolution· nostalgic melodies· post-bebop transition
- Career context
- Released in 1956, Miles Davis Volume 1 captures Davis during his transition from bebop to the cool jazz movement. This album followed his landmark work on 'Birth of the Cool' and showcases his evolving style as a bandleader, solidifying his role as a significant figure in jazz history.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John Coltrane· Herbie Hancock· Wayne Shorter
Tracklist
- 1 Dear Old Stockholm Start here 4:14
- 2 Chance It (Alternate Take) 2:55
- 3 Chance It 3:04
- 4 Donna (Alternate Take) 3:12
- 5 Donna 3:14
- 6 Woody'n You (Alternate Take) 3:23
- 7 Woody'n You 3:26
- 8 Yesterdays 3:46
- 9 How Deep Is the Ocean 4:40
- 10 Take Off 3:42
- 11 Lazy Susan 4:02
- 12 The Leap 4:32
- 13 Well You Needn't 5:23
- 14 Weirdo 4:45
- 15 It Never Entered My Mind 4:02
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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