5 Miles Davis albums everyone should hear
Miles Davis Passed away 30 years ago today on September 28, 1991. To mark his passing I thought I would put together a list of his albums that every music lover should hear. The first 5 are the albums I come back to most so start there. The second
1. Sketches of Spain
- I have listened to Sketches of Spain more than any other Miles album. Beautiful music start to finish. Small group setting + Gil Evans = Magic
2. Jack Johnson
- Jack Johnson is the second most listened to Miles album for me. I keep coming back to it. Miles added some rock to the long tracks on this release. This is pure and uncompromising music.
3. In a Silent Way
- Released in 1969, a seminal year in music. The electric sounds Miles added really come together on this release. This album was a turning point in his catalogue. For the next decade Miles would push jazz and music for that matter farther than anyone thought possible. Side note. I purchased a warped copy of this release a while back. Was pissed when I noticed it was warped when I brought it back home. Found another clean copy at Goodwill a few months later for a dollar. I miss the days that records could be purchased for next to nothing...
4. On the Corner - Every time I put this album on I hear something new. Just play the first track... It might be his most forward thinking release when it came to the forms of music that at the time were yet to be realized. This is a release that created pop music foundations for years to come. When you listen, pay attention to the transitions, the drumlines the guitars and the in-between spaces. Then the differences between this and the music Miles released before On the Corner. What is amazing is for the most part, the sounds were there but here he creates something brand new. As the title implies, this is the sound of Jazz moving out of the studio/venue and out onto the street.
5. Nefertiti - Miles had many peaks in his long career and for me Nefertiti was one of them. It is a subtle release. Miles moved away from the obvious and fully embraced the mood here. This is a mid day low key release that is best enjoyed when distractions are removed.
After you have heard these move a bit deeper into his discography:
6. Porgy and Bess - Another Miles and Gil Evans colab. Honestly as a single, Summertime from Porgy and Bess is the highlight of the collaboration between the two artists. Miles Ahead, Porgy & Bess and Sketches of Spain is quite the 3 album run.
7. Bags’ Groove
- Miles, Monk and Rollins play a beautiful set here. Great entry point into the 2nd tier of his well known discography. This is up there with my most listened to releases. Mostly because I found a super clean copy at a record store that was missing the cover when I first started buying vinyl. Because it was one of the first classic jazz albums I owned I played it a ton. If I remember correctly that same day I found The Art of Coltrane The Atlantic years, Time Further Out and a Cannonball Adderly release.
8. Milestones - Similar to Bags Groove here we find Miles in classic form with Coltrane & Cannonball Adderley.
9. 'Round About Midnight- 'Round About Midnight & Tribute to Jack Johnson are my Miles Davis album covers. But you should also listen to the album as well since its amazing.
10. E.S.P.
- Great Hard Bob release. Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams were all in sync.
Finally, here are a few albums you have probably heard but should listen to again:
11. Birth Of Cool- Just the title of this album shows you how much confidence Miles had at a young age. Release in 1957 it influenced Jazz for decades to come.
12. Kind of Blue
- You know it. I know it. Everyone knows this album. Why list it then? Because there are still ears out there that have yet to hear it.
13. Bitches Brew
- Of all the release I am including, Bitches Brew is the toughest listen. It is just so far out. And it's not an album in the normal sense of the term. Its hours and hours of improvisation cut down into manageable bites which were then compiled into a set of songs. This is dense and at times feels like madness. Honestly at times I lose the music and have to focus to get my brain back on track. The album is a challenging and while it might not be everyone's taste, everyone who listens to music should hear it.
Listen to more Miles Davis and your life will be better. That I can guarantee.