Which Jazz Albums are similar to Kind of Blue

And we Jazz lovers has been rewarded ever since...

OP-

the only other album from 1959 that challenges KOB is Dave Brubeck "Time Out".

The historical significance of each album, it that, it would be the first time other musicians granted a chance to solo. KOB is the standout here because of its world -class musicians. Something struck Miles Davis to allow these other guys to take the spotlight and solo across his album.

ALEXATPOS: I, for once, will be glad to see a "must-have" list from a jazz aficionado. We are here to learn, not just nurturing egos or chitchatting (well, that is too). May I ask you to put your extended list as a list of albums, not YouTube links, Please?

These albums are must have, in random order....

https://youtu.be/_8CjZ0BYaYM

https://youtu.be/JMiLAxMnoqE

https://youtu.be/fCaN2irGItA

https://youtu.be/XnvUEIPRb1g

https://youtu.be/J-mpBlU_lbk

https://youtu.be/KJifh-S2Hw4

https://youtu.be/1uY6zlfR7pM?list=RD1uY6zlfR7pM

https://youtu.be/sCQfTNOC5aE

https://youtu.be/ecrE80rnjhw

https://youtu.be/zUnID70IU-g

And so on, so on.....I could fill couple of pages and would gladly, too.
But, what bothers me, is that you all good people, seems to like jazz and yet you do not participate on another jazz thread that is running for years now.
 I can understand that perhaps you dont like some of the participants there, but its your loss, at the end. Because, I see here, you failed to mention some of the best known albums in jazz, and its a great pity and shame.
I am not saying this out from my vanity, but out of pure sorrow, becuse in that way, all that great music one day could be forgotten. My five cents...

If you listen to the first cut on "Kind of Blue" carefully, you'll discover that in the beginning, before  Cannonball Adderly takes his solo, what you are listening to is an average studio recording. Good jazz players to be sure. Who could take issue with Miles and Coltrane? However, once Adderly takes his solo, he is so inspired that he brings the rest of the group to attention and from then on, its a great album. So, to answer your question. buy more albums that feature Cannonball Adderly. 

OP

I agree with all previous "evident suspects" simply because I got most of the albums as LPs or XRCDs.
My five cents (rather a million-dollar advise, posted here for free!):
Khmer by Nils Petter Molvaer, if you love Miles you will love this album.
also, ECM released a lot of "must-have" albums since 2006

KOB was released in 1959 -The Best Year in Jazz History-
Miles Davis
Dave Brubeck
Charles Mingus
Ornette Coleman
...and other honorable mentions.

all released Jazz masterpieces.

Here is another one Way Out West by Sonny Rollins

There have been some excellent suggestions made here. I would also recommend recordings from the same era from Harold Land, Benny Golson, Tina Brooks, Kenny Dorham, Art Pepper. If you're looking for a really "cool" and laid back sound, you must check out "Blue Hour" on vinyl or "The Complete Blue Hour Sessions" on CD...Stanley Turrentine w/ The Three Sounds.

Miles Davis ESP. This pre-dates Kind of Blue by less than a year, the lineup is essentially the same. The music is a little more up-tempo, but there are some significant nods towards the modality of KOB to come. Also, IMHO the recording quality is better, as KOB seems to have suffered more than the usual number of mishaps along the way.

I find it quite funny that I found this thread because I've been asking friends and co-workers for the last two weeks what kinda Jazz out there sounds like Kind of Blue and Dave Brubeck's Take Five. Since reading all the posts listed in this thread I've just bought 6 disc's (mostly what Planckscale like as well) off of Amazon.ca ranging from Gene Ammons - Boss Tenor to Miles Davis. I like that oldschool laid back jazzy sound. A few people have recommended me some jazz-fushion stuff that I absolutely detest. Hopefully I'll enjoy all the new music i just bought.

The Cannonball Adderly "Something Else" suggestion is probably closest. Others that I would consider ar Kenny Burrell "Midnight Blue" featuring guitar, Bill Evans "Portrait" and "Explorations" piano, Wynton Kelly "Kelly Blue" more piano, Chet Baker "Chet" trumpet with an even milder edge, maybe John Coltranes "Ballads" not considered one of his best but one of my favorites.

The Tomasz Stanko recommendations are a good suggestion. Along with "Suspended Night" I would look at "Soul of Things".

But, in the end "Kind of Blue" stands by itself as maybe the greatest jazz album of all time.

The same year Davis recorded Kind of Blue he also recorded "Sketches of Spain", and 18 years later, a group of top musicians, some who have been mentioned on this interesting thread, recorded an album with the same feel (and same composition at its root) -

Concierto - Jim Hall

Hall is one of the great jazz guitarists and he's joined by Chet Baker on trumpet, Paul Desmond on alto sax and Ron Carter on bass.

And if you like that, or even if you don't, you should also listen to Hall playing with Bill Evans in Undercurrent.

I have sampled the latest suggestions, and here is my rating (and already on my buying list):

1. Johnny Hodges: Johnny Hodges,Billy Strayhorn and the Orchestra
2. Mal Waldron/Eric Dolphy: The Quest
3. Miles Davis: "L'Ascenseur pour L'Echafaud"
4. Sonny Rollins: Saxophone Colossus

Thanks guys for helping me diversify my collection:

This album is totally unique in jazz for a couple of reasons - it was largely improvised almost on the spot - it does not contain a bunch of well worn jazz stardards that started as pop standards. Its very "modal" - long solos within a specific chord as opposed to frequent chord changes and modulations. And there is some controversy as to whether Bill Evans should get composing credit for much of the album as opposed to Miles. (So is it more like a Bill Evans album or a Miles album?)
So you won't really find other albums that "sound" or "feel" like this one IMO. Just try to go for the "best of the best". For Bill Evans, Village Vanguard and Waltz for Debbie. How about Ornette Coleman - Shape of Jazz to Come. Coltrane - Love Supreme. Wayne Shorter - Speak No Evil - an all time classic of the genre - has a similar darkness/minor feel to Kind of Blue. Monk and Coltrane -they made 2-3 classics together. Check out Terence Blanchard - or Christian Scott - innovative current trumpeters. Don't forget the free samples on itunes

Check out First Light by Freddie Hubbard and Journey to the One by Pharoah Sanders

Agree with Audphile 1.
KOB is as unique as Abbey Road.

imho check out these recordings:

Webster Young: For Lady

Paul Desmond: Living Easy

Chet Baker: In Paris

Kenny Burrell: Midnight Blue

these are the first ones that popped into my head.

but "In a Silent Way" does not cut it for me. may be the sample on amazon is to short to feel it.

If you are destined to get into this album, listening to a taste on the 'net will definitely not make it happen. It's a "grow to love it" recording, IMO. As Proghead notes, it is not remotely like KOB, but is in fact closer to his electric stuff...which is not to missed either.

Definitely check out "L'Ascenseur pour L'Echafaud". It's a soundtrack, and one of his best recordings, IMO.

a little more on 'in a silent way'. i read that someone had recommended such album on this thread. truth is , in a silent way is a very different period in miles davis vast catalog. it is from his 'electric' period in which he experimented with fusion and rock. it is a great album though, but it would be unfair to compare it to in a kind of blue. they're on different leagues, not even the same musical style. i would recommend the album, but be warned, it isn't pure 50's jazz. it is something else.

"but in general, nothing will be "like" "Kind of Blue"."

I'm with Audphile1 here; KoB does not invite many direct comparisons (sui generis, as they say).

I find "Sketches of Spain," closer than many in the Miles catalog. I do not find the In recordings close, though "Cookin'" is unmissable, and the disc that got me into to Jazz.

For some reason, I find myself thinking of Evans' "Conversations with Myself" here, though I'm not sure what the similarities b/w it and KoB are, except for the same genius piano player.

If I may be forgiven a slight thread hijack, if you like the In recordings, seek out "Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section," which is likewise graced by Garland/Chambers/Jones. Then go to "Modern Art." Had them both on last night, after not listening to Pepper in a while. What a sweet, sweet, horn . . . .

jmd

Check out Tomasz Stanko "Soul of Things" and "Suspended Night".
Check out John Coltrane "The Ultimate Blue Train".

If you want other good Miles discs to consider, check out "Bitches Brew", "Sketches of Spain" and "Porgy and Bess".....but in general, nothing will be "like" "Kind of Blue".

Looks like you got a lot of good recommendations. The following are some additional albums to look into that are all classics with great, and quite accessible music:

Oliver Nelson: Blues and the Abstract Truth
Mal Waldron/Eric Dolphy: The Quest
Mingus: Ah Um
Mingus: Black Saint, Sinner Lady
Monk: Brilliant Corners (title cut is one of the truly great numbers)
Coltrane: Blue Trane
Johnny Hodges and Billy Strayhorn and the Orchestra

living artists: (someone already mentioned Rollis' Saxophone Collossus)

Charlie Haden/Quartet West: Haunted Heart
Hancock: Maiden Voyage
Hancock: Maiden Voyage

Thank you guys for your suggestions. I have sampled all the music up to Cdelplato's post, and here is how I rank them (these are already on my Amazon wish list!)

1. Gene Ammons: Boss Tenor
2. Cannonball Adderley: Somethin' Else
3. Ben Webster: At the Renaissance
4. Miles davis: relaxin'
5. john coltrane: my favorite things
6. Sonny Clark: Cool Struttin
7. Kenny Dorham: Whistle Stop

Sorry Cdelplato, but "In a Silent Way" does not cut it for me. may be the sample on amazon is to short to feel it. Any other suggestions?

Thanks

I can't imagine that you wouldn't also love Miles' "In A Silent Way". Great discs to play one after the other.

The Cannonball Adderly offerings with Bill Evans and Milt Jackson are must haves. Now they are more boppin than KOB but if you buy the re mastered extended CD's the sound will not disapoint.

while kind of blue is an album on its own league (that's what makes it so remarkable too) you might want to try Coltrane's Blue train. this is an all-assault on melodies and rhythm. you won't believe your ears and your foot will never stop tapping to the beat.
other recommendations:
john coltrane 'my favorite things'
john coltrane 'giant steps'
the collaboration albums between ella Fitzgerald and louis armstrong (they're all great stuff!)
sonny clark 'cool struttin'
kenny dorham 'quiet kenny'
kenny dorham 'whistle stop'

and there are many others, but this is a good start!
best wishes!

Another artist you may like is Philip Catherine. While he's not really like Miles "Kind of Blue", I think he appeals to those who like that genre. I would start with 1) "Transparence", and 2) "Philip Catherine/Bert Joris Brussels Jazz Orchestra - "Meeting Colours" ; but, really anything by him is worth having.

Within Miles, try Round About Midnight

anything with Ben Webster will likely give you a bit of that ease and magic. Ben has that combination of 'cool jazz' but with great tone and subtle energy that Miles had in KOB. Ben is my favorite Sax player.

i particularly like 'At the Renaissance'.

'Chet' from Chet Baker is another winner in that same vein.

Agree with Henry, great call. Another one I would recommend is Herbie Hancock's Maiden Voyage. It doesn't actually sound like KOB, but it is similarly accessible and lyrical with spare arrangements and wonderful playing. The young Herbie along with the young Freddie Hubbard, the very young Tony Williams (whose brilliance is abundant on this record), and George Coleman and Ron Carter. It's a jazz album that has managed to penetrate my DNA in almost the same way KOB has.

try Oliver Nelson's The Blues and The Abstract Truth...along with kinda blue one of my all time favorites

Oops, it was "Waltz for Debby" not W 'with' Debby. Hifimaniac has the right idea... the 1500 series of BlueNotes is great. Another way to do research would be to open a couple of browser windows and dig through the Allmusic.com site on one hand (good data on who plays on what albums generally, along with discography with generally good coverage) and Amazon on the other (better/longer sound clips than allmusic's) to give you an idea of what you might want to buy. Best of luck.

Nice call Hifimaniac!

Another great title is Cannonball Adderley's "Know What I Mean", featuring Bill Evans. It includes a great version of Evan's own Waltz For Debby.

The other artist(also a trumpeter) not yet mentioned that will likely appeal to you is Chet Baker. If Miles is the king of the "cool school", Chet Baker is the prince. "Chet" is a good place to start, although "Chet Baker Sings" is my personal favorite. Cheers,
Spencer

Check out any Blue Note record that Rudy Van Gelder was the recording engineer and you will be amazed at the sound he got in the 50's and how good they still sound today. I like the 1500 series of Blue Notes.

Wow!
Thanks guys for the responses.
Celtic66, it is not the man, but the sound, especially the cut “All Blues” in the Kind of blue album. I would say the same with Brubeck’s “take five”, and hence, I am looking for similar sounds.

I will checkout pandora.com and sample some Blue Note samplers. Heck, I will be busy sampling in the next days, starting with Cannonball Adderly, which seems to get most of the votes.

I will keep you guys posted. Cheers!

Bill Evans: Waltz for Debbie, Live at the Vanguard, Live at Montreux. As you probably know, Bill Evans was the pianist on Mile's Kind of Blue.

Forgot to mention, I just ordered "Someday My Prince Will Come"...you may want to look into this one.

I'n not really sure how similar or disimilar,but here are two more you might like. "Birth of the Cool" and "Sketches of Spain",both in colaboration with Gil Evans,with larger ensambles,and the orchestration possibilities that implies.

I read what you said about traditional sound,so take this one with a grain of salt. But,if you like Miles Davis,there is an old two LP set transcribed to CD or SACD,that combines, "Four and More" and "My Funny Valentine"-----for me,Miles's solo on MFV is worth the cost of the set.

Happy Listening.

KOB is awesome. There aren't many other albums like it. In terms of style of music, I think of the "in'" Series (Relaxin', Steamin' Workin', Cookin'), maybe Steamin' is closest? You might also try "Porgy & Bess", and "Sketches of Spain". I like the moodiness of the soundtrack to "Ascenseur pour l'Echafaud" but it is not thought of as one of his better albums and there certainly isn't a "great band jammin'" aspect to it that makes KOB so special.

I second/third/whatever the suggestions of the two Bill Evans albums and "Somethin' Else" by Cannonball Adderley. The other CA album I might try is "Know What I Mean" which is an interesting counterpart to BE's "Waltz with Debby."

You might listen to Pandora.com and set up a "radio station" based on Miles Davis....playing similar music is what Pandora does. I have a Pandora/Davis station set up in my account...good stuff.

Something Else by Cannonball Adderly. If you have a turntable this LP is out in so many Audiophile pressings by Blue Note,Classic Records and some others out there if not get the re mastered 24 bit version.
Also Dave Brubeck Time Out is a breezy romp too.

Sonny Rollins Saxophone Collosus; Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson. Miles Davis' Relaxin.

Just a follow up to Celtic66's suggestion about finding a public radio station with an evening jazz show. Our local station has Bob Parlocha's show. His selection is quite good and he gives you thorough info about each set of songs; names of songs, performers, labels and more. I have found leads to some good albumns from him. You can also go to his website.
jazzwithbobparlocha.com

"Boss Tenor" - Gene Ammons
"A Love Supreme" - John Coltrane

the Cannonball Adderly album is a good suggestion.

I would also highly recommend two albums by Bill Evans (the pianist on most of Kind of Blue): "Waltz for Debby" and "Sunday at the Village Vanguard" (in that order). Awesome albums, and I think you will find them extremely enjoyable.

Check www.allmusic.com for info.

Don't know if you are enamored by Miles' style of play or genre of jazz. As far as style, check out Howard McGhee, Clifford Brown and Chet Baker for similar styles of playing with a coolness.

As far as era of music it is endless with some of the top players being Ben Webster, JJ Johnson, Bill Evans, Sonny Criss and a cast of hundreds. You might find some samplers of jazz from labels such as Blue Note, Pablo and Concord Jazz.

If you have a decent public radio station with evening jazz programming, that can be a great source for information.

relaxin' (miles davis)
crescent (john coltrane) - and, if you like that: 'alternate takes' and 'my favorite things', also by coltrane

Tomasz Stanko - "Suspended Night"