Young Man with a Horn
Miles Davis · 1952
22 min · 6 tracks · jazz
A smooth blend of cool jazz and bebop, featuring intricate melodies layered over lush harmonies.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Dear Old Stockholm Start here — This track opens the album with a warm, lyrical trumpet line that perfectly encapsulates the album's cool jazz vibe, blending melodic sophistication with rhythmic ease.
-
→
Yesterdays — The interpretation of this standard highlights Davis's emotive phrasing and ability to express deep feelings through minimalist embellishments, showcasing his artistry at this point in his career.
-
→
How Deep Is the Ocean? — This piece features intricate interactions between Davis's trumpet and the ensemble, illustrating the collaborative spirit of the album while still allowing for individual expression.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases strong melodic composition and cohesive arrangements, establishing Davis's voice in cool jazz.
What we noticed
- Each piece is structured around a central theme, allowing for variations and explorations that highlight the musicians' technical skills.
- The arrangements incorporate lush harmonies and subtle backing from the rhythm section, creating a rich soundscape that complements the lead instrument.
- 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
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
7/10
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
- intimate evening listening sessions
- smooth melodies for relaxation
- lyrical improvisation for reflection
- short bursts of musical elegance
Maybe skip if you
- prefer high-energy performances
- seek lengthy, sprawling compositions
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Cemented Davis's reputation in the cool jazz movement, marking a key transition.
- Themes
- cool jazz sophistication· post-war introspection· emotional depth in melody
- Career context
- Released in 1952, Young Man with a Horn marked Miles Davis's transition into the cool jazz movement, following his earlier work in bebop. This album came after his acclaimed Birth of the Cool sessions and signified a maturation in his style, showcasing a more sophisticated, relaxed approach to improvisation.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John Coltrane· Herbie Hancock· Wayne Shorter
Tracklist
- 1 Dear Old Stockholm Start here 4:16
- 2 Would'n You 3:28
- 3 Yesterdays 3:48
- 4 Chance It 3:06
- 5 Donna 3:17
- 6 How Deep Is the Ocean? 4:43
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.