Kind of Blue review: why Miles Davis's 1959 album is still the place to start with jazz

Kind of Blue, released by Miles Davis on Columbia Records in August 1959, is the album most people are pointed to when they ask where to start with jazz. It is regularly named among the best jazz albums of all time, it is often described as the best-selling jazz record ever, and in 2019 the RIAA certified it five times platinum. Sixty-plus years on, it still turns up in film soundtracks, playlists and music-school syllabuses.

This review is based on the recording itself, its documented history and long-standing critical consensus. It explains who plays on it, what makes the music different, which version to listen to and whether Kind of Blue really deserves its reputation.

Who plays on Kind of Blue?

Part of the album's legend is the line-up. Miles Davis leads on trumpet, joined by John Coltrane on tenor saxophone and Julian "Cannonball" Adderley on alto saxophone. Bill Evans plays piano on four tracks, Wynton Kelly takes over for the bluesy "Freddie Freeloader", Paul Chambers plays bass and Jimmy Cobb plays drums.

Several of those musicians went on to shape jazz for decades, Coltrane and Evans above all. Hearing them in one room, at this moment in their careers, is a large part of the appeal. Adderley sits out "Blue in Green", which gives that track an especially intimate feel.

The track list at a glance

The album has just five pieces, recorded across two sessions in March and April 1959 at Columbia's 30th Street Studio in New York. Each one has a distinct character:

• So What: the famous bass-and-piano call and response, and probably the best-known opening in jazz
• Freddie Freeloader: a relaxed, swinging blues with Wynton Kelly on piano
• Blue in Green: a short, hushed ballad later co-credited to Bill Evans
• All Blues: a rolling blues in waltz-like 6/8 time, the longest track
• Flamenco Sketches: slow, reflective and built on a series of scales

What is modal jazz, and why does it matter here?

Much jazz of the 1950s was built on fast-moving chord changes that soloists had to navigate at speed. For Kind of Blue, Davis handed the band sketches based on scales, or modes, that change only occasionally. That gave the soloists more room to shape melodies instead of racing through harmonies.

You do not need to understand the theory to hear the result. The music breathes. Solos feel like conversations rather than displays of technique, and the mood stays unhurried from start to finish. That shift was hugely influential, and it is why the album appears in almost every history of jazz.

How does it sound today?

The recording has aged remarkably well. The instruments are clear and warmly placed, the bass is easy to follow, and the quiet passages are genuinely quiet. It works as focused listening and as background music, which helps explain its broad audience.

One quirk is worth knowing. For decades, side one (the first three tracks) played slightly fast because of a tape machine issue during recording, which also raised the pitch. A 1992 remaster corrected this, and modern CD, vinyl and streaming editions are generally based on corrected masters. If you pick up an old original pressing, it will sound a touch different.

Which version of Kind of Blue should you get?

Streaming services carry the album, so the cheapest way to try it is simply to press play. Vinyl reissues are widely available and are a popular choice for collectors, and anniversary editions have added alternate takes and studio material for listeners who want to go deeper. For a first listen, the standard five-track album is all you need; the extras are best saved for later.

Is Kind of Blue a good first jazz album?

Yes, for most people. It is melodic, never abrasive and short enough to hear in one sitting. It also works as a map: if you love Coltrane's solos, his own albums are the next step; if Evans's piano grabs you, his trio records are waiting.

If you already know you prefer high-energy jazz, the album may feel too restrained at first. Give "So What" and "All Blues" a few spins before deciding; many listeners report that its quiet intensity grows on them.

Verdict: does Kind of Blue live up to the hype?

It does, in a quiet way. Kind of Blue is not a showy record, and that is its strength. Its combination of historic importance, a legendary band and music that is simply pleasant to live with makes it one of the safest recommendations in all of recorded music. It is a clear 9.6 for us, held back only by a mood that some listeners will find too even.

Key specs

Artist

Miles Davis

Released

17 August 1959, Columbia Records

Recorded

2 March and 22 April 1959, Columbia 30th Street Studio, New York

Producer

Irving Townsend

Length

About 45.5 minutes, five tracks

Style

Modal jazz, cool jazz

Certification

RIAA 5x Platinum (2019)

Honours

Added to the US National Recording Registry in 2002

Alternatives to consider

• A Love Supreme by John Coltrane: A more intense, spiritual 1965 album from Kind of Blue's tenor player.
• Time Out by the Dave Brubeck Quartet: Another 1959 classic, playful and catchy, built around unusual time signatures.
• Sunday at the Village Vanguard by the Bill Evans Trio: Intimate live piano trio jazz for listeners who loved Evans's touch.

Frequently asked questions

Kind of Blue earns its reputation without shouting about it. If you have never listened to a full jazz album, this is still the best place to begin, and if you have, it is worth returning to with fresh ears. Put it on, let "So What" start, and you will quickly hear why Miles Davis's 1959 record remains the benchmark more than six decades later.

How we research: Reviews are based on the maker’s specifications, published independent tests and owner reports. Scores compare the product with others in its class.