Is Water Babies a good place to start with Miles Davis?

Yes, Water Babies is recommended as a starting point for new Miles Davis listeners. An exploratory blend of modal jazz and avant-garde elements, showcasing intricate improvisations and atmospheric textures. By the time 'Water Babies' was released in 1976, Miles Davis was transitioning into a more experimental phase of his career following the commercial success of 'Bitches Brew'. This album represents a continuation of his exploration into fusion, featuring tracks recorded during the early '70s that highlight his evolving sound. It came at a time when Davis was increasingly embracing electric instrumentation and complex arrangements.

Who is Water Babies for?

Water Babies works well if you're into gradual build to a climax, fluid improvisation for deep listening and exploratory melodies that captivate.

How many songs are on Water Babies?

Water Babies has 5 tracks, running approximately 53 minutes.

Released 50 years ago

Water Babies

Miles Davis · 1976

53 min · 5 tracks · jazz

An exploratory blend of modal jazz and avant-garde elements, showcasing intricate improvisations and atmospheric textures.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Water Babies Start here — The title track introduces the album's ethereal atmosphere with fluid melodies and a meditative quality that exemplifies Davis's mastery of mood.
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Capricorn — This piece features complex rhythms and interplay between instruments, showcasing Davis's ability to create tension and release within a jazz framework.
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Two Faced — At 18 minutes, this expansive track allows for deep improvisation that illustrates the band’s synergy and Davis's continued push against conventional structure.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate melodies and seamless transitions highlight its innovative approach to jazz fusion.

What we noticed

The opening track 'Water Babies' establishes a fluid, atmospheric sound that is maintained throughout the record.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

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

gradual build to a climax
fluid improvisation for deep listening
exploratory melodies that captivate
long tracks for patient listeners

Maybe skip if you

seekers of instant gratification
prefer short, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — Showcases Davis's fusion style, but not his most recognized or accessible work.
Themes: electric instrumentation· fluid improvisation· collaborative experimentation
Moods: Chill· Uplifting
Career context: By the time 'Water Babies' was released in 1976, Miles Davis was transitioning into a more experimental phase of his career following the commercial success of 'Bitches Brew'. This album represents a continuation of his exploration into fusion, featuring tracks recorded during the early '70s that highlight his evolving sound. It came at a time when Davis was increasingly embracing electric instrumentation and complex arrangements.
Stylistic neighbors: John Coltrane· Herbie Hancock· Wayne Shorter