Is The Complete In a Silent Way Sessions a good place to start with Miles Davis?

Yes, The Complete In a Silent Way Sessions is recommended as a starting point for new Miles Davis listeners. Transcendent jazz fusion melodies intertwine with ethereal soundscapes, creating a meditative exploration of musical space and time. Released in 2001, this collection compiles the sessions leading to Miles Davis's landmark album 'In a Silent Way', showcasing his transition into electric jazz. At this point, Davis was revisiting earlier recordings, reflecting on the evolution of his sound post-bebop and hard bop phases as he embraced more experimental approaches.

Who is The Complete In a Silent Way Sessions for?

The Complete In a Silent Way Sessions works well if you're into extended explorations with peaks, immersive soundscapes for reflection and wave-like pacing that unfolds.

How many songs are on The Complete In a Silent Way Sessions?

The Complete In a Silent Way Sessions has 17 tracks, running approximately 211 minutes.

The Complete In a Silent Way Sessions

Miles Davis · 2001

211 min · 17 tracks · jazz

Transcendent jazz fusion melodies intertwine with ethereal soundscapes, creating a meditative exploration of musical space and time.

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Top tracks — play these first

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In a Silent Way — This track exemplifies Davis's shift towards electric instrumentation and modal improvisation, establishing a new direction in jazz that would influence future generations.
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Shhh / Peaceful — The seamless transitions between serene passages and dynamic interplay reflect the innovative production style that characterized Davis's late career, embodying his avant-garde spirit.
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Mademoiselle Mabry Start here — Its extended form allows for intricate interactions among musicians, showcasing Davis’s ability to create rich sonic textures through collective improvisation.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

91 /100

Summit

Higher than 100% of albums we've rated

The sessions showcase innovative compositions and masterful execution, solidifying their place in jazz history.

What we noticed

The album features extended improvisational pieces, with several tracks exceeding ten minutes in length, allowing for deep exploration of themes.
Multiple tracks include overlapping motifs and themes that are revisited and reinterpreted throughout the sessions.
The instrumentation prominently features electric piano, guitar, and synthesizers, creating a distinct sound palette that diverges from traditional jazz.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 9/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

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 explorations with peaks
immersive soundscapes for reflection
wave-like pacing that unfolds
ethereal textures for deep listening
patient, evolving sonic journeys

Maybe skip if you

seeking immediate gratification
prefer short, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — Documents a pivotal transition in Davis's sound, appealing to dedicated fans of his work.
Themes: modal jazz exploration· electric instrumentation shift· sonic landscapes of 1969
Moods: Ethereal· Dreamy
Career context: Released in 2001, this collection compiles the sessions leading to Miles Davis's landmark album 'In a Silent Way', showcasing his transition into electric jazz. At this point, Davis was revisiting earlier recordings, reflecting on the evolution of his sound post-bebop and hard bop phases as he embraced more experimental approaches.
Stylistic neighbors: John Coltrane· Herbie Hancock· Wayne Shorter