It's a totally cliche recommendation EXCEPT
There's a reason why it is widely considered one of the best jazz albums ever recorded
and has been certified 5X platinum (which is probably many multiples more than its next jazz competitor).
It is just jaw droppingly great.
Davis is joined here by saxophonists John Coltrane and Julian "Cannonball" Adderly (legends both), pianist Bill Evans, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Jimmy Cobb. Miles led many great ensembles but that's pretty much like having the jazz hall of fame in your band. I think I've probably listened to this album all the way through like a thousand times and I still find new things to pick out every time it spins.
All the more amazing when you consider that Davis was basically creating a whole new jazz form here ('modal jazz' vs. bebop which was the mode du jour), the album was recorded to three track in just two sessions on two different days in 1959 and that the musicians had almost no rehearsal prior to these sessions -- Davis had given them only sketches of scales and melody lines around which the band improvised. "Flamenco Sketches" is actually a first take.
Apr 21, 2024
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miles davis. kind of blue is perfect music. blue moods, sketches of spain, workin, relaxin’, ESP, and birth of the cool also all great. he didn’t miss much
john coltrane. of course a love supreme. but ballads, giant steps, africa/brass, crescent, blue trane, soul trane, and coltrane’s sound all great too
Jul 6, 2024
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first one to come to mind. but also all of kind of blue album is so iconic and smooth
Feb 8, 2024
Nov 1, 2024
Top Recs from @coreydubrowa
The man responsible for dozens of Teenage Symphonies to God
"Sad songs about happy things" (the first time, as a kid, I can recall the sweet/sour combo of melodies that could make you cry attached to songs about endless, bottomless love)
I've long since lost track of how many weddings and funerals I've attended that have featured this song; suffice it to say, "a lot."
God only knows what we'd been without him 🙏🏻
2d ago
May 22, 2025
Hey tyler hopefully this doesn’t violate some PI.FYI golden rule
But after nearly two years of writing, editing and arguing, my book about the EP is coming out in May and can be preordered here:
https://hozacrecords.com/product/aifl/
The book is about the origins, history and cultural impact of the EP since these little objects first started coming out in the 50s.
Over 50 of my music biz friends then helped me shape the list and review the top 200 ever released, according to us (ha).
For those of you who are into this kind of geekery/snobbery, I can’t wait to hear what you think. A labor of love, as all books are! ❤️
Mar 27, 2024