Is The Essential Miles Davis a good place to start with Miles Davis?

Yes, The Essential Miles Davis is recommended as a starting point for new Miles Davis listeners. A sweeping compilation of jazz mastery, blending bebop intricacies with modal explorations and deep emotional resonance. Released in 2001, 'The Essential Miles Davis' came during a resurgence of interest in jazz and its history. By this time, Davis had long been recognized as a transformative figure in music, having pioneered multiple genres from bebop to jazz fusion. This collection encapsulates his evolution and influence across decades, showcasing pivotal tracks from each phase of his illustrious career.

Who is The Essential Miles Davis for?

The Essential Miles Davis works well if you're into long-form explorations of sound, cathartic moments of improvisation and evening relaxation with complexity.

How many songs are on The Essential Miles Davis?

The Essential Miles Davis has 23 tracks, running approximately 149 minutes.

The Essential Miles Davis

Miles Davis · 2001

149 min · 23 tracks · jazz

A sweeping compilation of jazz mastery, blending bebop intricacies with modal explorations and deep emotional resonance.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Now's the Time Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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So What — As the opening track of the landmark album 'Kind of Blue', this piece exemplifies modal jazz, showcasing Davis's innovative approach to improvisation and harmonic structure.
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'Round Midnight — This classic ballad showcases Davis's lyrical trumpet style and emotional depth, making it one of the most recorded jazz standards and an essential part of his repertoire.
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Miles Runs the Voodoo Down — This track represents Davis's foray into jazz fusion, combining elements of rock with complex rhythms and textures that highlight his innovative spirit during the late 1960s.
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My Funny Valentine — Davis's interpretation of this standard is noted for its haunting melody and emotional delivery, demonstrating his ability to convey deep feeling through minimalist phrasing.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

71 /100

Alpine

Higher than 95% of albums we've rated

A well-curated collection that showcases Miles Davis's range and innovation across jazz styles.

What we noticed

Several tracks are arranged with varying ensemble sizes, from small combos to larger orchestral settings, highlighting different aspects of jazz performance.
The compilation includes pieces that emphasize improvisation, with extended solos that allow for individual expression within the ensemble context.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

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

long-form explorations of sound
cathartic moments of improvisation
evening relaxation with complexity
thoughtful background for conversations
nostalgic reflections on history

Maybe skip if you

seeking quick, instant gratification
prefer straightforward, catchy tunes

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Starting Point — A comprehensive introduction to Davis's diverse career for new listeners.
Themes: bebop innovation· modal jazz evolution· jazz fusion experimentation
Career context: Released in 2001, 'The Essential Miles Davis' came during a resurgence of interest in jazz and its history. By this time, Davis had long been recognized as a transformative figure in music, having pioneered multiple genres from bebop to jazz fusion. This collection encapsulates his evolution and influence across decades, showcasing pivotal tracks from each phase of his illustrious career.
Stylistic neighbors: John Coltrane· Herbie Hancock· Wayne Shorter

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

'Round Midnight

The narrative shifts from an introspective tone to a longing plea for connection, encapsulating feelings of solitude amidst the beauty of night.

The contrast in mood reflects the complexity of human emotions, allowing listeners to engage with the nuances of loneliness and yearning.