“The New Sounds” – Miles Davis

Album: The New Sounds

Artist: Miles Davis

Year: 1951

Genre: Bebop

Grade: A-

Released in 1951, The New Sounds is trumpeter Miles Davis’ first official studio album. Of course, he wasn’t really a “rookie” — he spent the 1940s as a trusted side musician with Charlie Parker and later invented cool jazz during the famous Birth of the Cool sessions. The New Sounds came after all that, but already it shows Davis’ willingness to explore: he abandons cool jazz in favor of a strict, melodic style of bebop. His soloing is much improved, .

The four compositions on this album (average length: six minutes) are catchy bebop workouts that allow the performers to stretch out, with the opening “Conception” bearing structural similarities to the 1958 modal masterpiece, “Milestones” (along with some melodic similarities to “Jeru“). Together with Davis, Sonny Rollins on saxophone and Art Blakey on drums make terrific contributions. Because of the expanded runtime of the 10-inch LP format, the soloists are given free rein to improvise. Hard bop is just around the corner.

The New Sounds is an essential recording for Davis fans, showcasing his early command of small group ensembles and extended bebop jam sessions — an LP that nicely bridges two eras of jazz.

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