CD-Charts Position 1
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Kind of Blue

by: Miles Davis

Release Date April 07, 1997
It has already been said here that this album is usually found in non-jazz fans' collections alongside Bob Marley's greatest hits and most probably David Gray's entire ouvre. Perhaps it stands sentry there unplayed, just so its spine can be read, head tilted sideways, begging to impress upon whoever it is browsing through their collection some ill-gotten measure of sophistication? Perhaps they did play it once then decided no, they were right about jazz all along?

Modal, understated, and (aaargh!) cool, or tedious, cicuitous and under-cooked? Amongst aficionados, the most fiercely debated issue with the session is whether you are appreciating it at the correct pitch (an issue with the tape playback speed when it was mastered). That ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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Birth of The Cool

by: Miles Davis

Release Date January 08, 2001
I own several of MD's album - my personal favourite being Sketches of Spain. This album, which is rather dull, I made the mistake of buying on the basis of the track Rocker on a compilation. It's dificult to describe, but to me the sound is too undifferenciated to let the melodies and tune speak. It is an ambient album. Pleasant, but doesn't set the blood racing. Instead, buy in A Silent Way, Sketches... or Kind of Blue.....Or better yet by the Best of Blue Note Comp' - not a duff track on it

CD-Charts Position 3
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Milestones

by: Miles Davis

Release Date April 16, 2001
Perhaps the jazz conservatives (e.g. Stanley Crouch) would burn me at the stake for the title of this review and yes, the soul-stirring Kind of Blue is certainly the best modal record I've heard, but I much prefer this, since Coltrane and Adderley really leap out and play from the get-go.
Dr. Jackle is absolutely manic to play, a Jackie McLean tune that this quintet seem to delight in playing rather fast. It's excellent hard-bop, and Miles plays an excellent solo which sticks to the middle register, a range which trumpeteers do not explore enough, though this can be only down to the influence of intervallic trumpeters like Dizzy. Listen out for the early duel between Adderley, and Coltrane. Listening to 'Two Bass Hit', it is an interesting ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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Miles Davis: Kind of Blue 50th Anniversary Collectors Edition 2CD/LP/DVD

by: Miles Davis

Release Date October 27, 2008
It's just arrived and the package feels like it is worth the money. I already have all the music bar a few fragments of studio sequences and the "previously released in unauthorized form" 17:28 version of So What, but for the Miles completist it's wonderful to have.

Now - to sit back and luxuriate in this sublime music once again!

CD-Charts Position 5
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Sketches of Spain

by: Miles Davis

Release Date October 06, 1997
I originally bought this album as a boxed set of three LP's, Kind of Blue, Porgy and Bess were the other two. It tends to be loathed by "true believers" largely, I think, because it was one of the most popular. Therefore: it was a sore trial to the sort of deaf elitists that you find at Jazz and Orchestral music events. (People who clap harder as the music gets worse.)

It does have it's faults, the over use of castanets, which is like adding atmosphere with ketchup. The gushing orchestration which pervades the collection like cheap perfume in dance-hall. Occasional shrieking trumpet - where MD definitely looses the thread.

It's still a great album and well worth a listen. It maybe the weakest of the three albums mentioned. It's ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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Bitches Brew

by: Miles Davis

Release Date July 12, 1999
The question isn't whether this is a weird branch that Miles Davis wandered off into in the 70's, and do only pseuds like it.

The question is whether this is the best album ever made.

Pharoah's dance knocks most modern orchestral music into a much-needed hole in the ground - its atonal genius - only Stockhausen could even get close to this match of mood and insane key combinations - is unsurpassed.

Bitches brew has a groove so deep that when you really hear it (maybe second listen, maybe third) you almost salute it - its dark, african and american - city and jungle - jesus its superb.

And if you don't like Spanish Key you are very likely dead.

CD-Charts Position 7
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Kind of Blue [VINYL]

by: Miles Davis

Release Date October 29, 2007
There are endless superlatives that have beew thrown at this classic jazz album, but I am more interested in making people aware that this sounds much better on vinyl than on CD (if using a top quality turntable). The dynamic sound quality is just so much better and its crystal clear and the vinyl version adds something very special. If you like this album and have a turntable, then I thoroughly recommend you to purchase the vinyl format, especially due to its really bargain price!

CD-Charts Position 8
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In a Silent Way

by: Miles Davis

Release Date August 19, 2002
i love miles davis and this is one of his best! this miles davis cd is a beautiful jazz cd and it has some terrific songs like shhh/peaceful. miles davis is one of my favorite artists in the world, get this cd for your great music collection. i also recommend kind of blue too.

CD-Charts Position 9
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Workin' Relaxin' Steamin'

by: Miles Davis

Release Date September 29, 2008
If you like Miles from this period and don't already have these recordings, you can't go wrong with these (at below £5 as of Nov 08). As to quality, admittedly I don't have high end equipment, but I can't tell the difference between disc 3 and my own copy of 'Steamin'. The only reason I did not give 5 stars is that there are no liner notes.

CD-Charts Position 10
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Cool: the Best of Miles Davis

by: Miles Davis

Release Date November 26, 2007
If you like Miles from this period and don't already have these recordings, you can't go wrong with these (at below £5 as of Nov 08). As to quality, admittedly I don't have high end equipment, but I can't tell the difference between disc 3 and my own copy of 'Steamin'. The only reason I did not give 5 stars is that there are no liner notes.