Miles Davis – Birth Of The Cool (1975 Capitol Japan Reissue LP Vinyl)

Reissued in 1975 as part of Capitol Japan’s Jazz Right Now series, Birth of the Cool remains one of the most influential jazz recordings ever made — the point where Miles Davis quietly changed the direction of modern jazz. Originally recorded between 1949 and 1950, these nonet sessions introduced a new sound: cooler in tone, richer in harmony, and more focused on ensemble texture than virtuosic soloing.

Featuring an all-star lineup including Lee Konitz on alto saxophone, Gerry Mulligan on baritone, J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding on trombones, Gunther Schuller on French horn, and John Lewis and Al Haig alternating on piano, the group blends instruments more associated with big bands into a compact, chamber-like format. The result is music that’s fluid, balanced, and quietly revolutionary.

Tracks like Move, Jeru, and Boplicity shimmer with interlocking horn lines and light rhythmic touch, while Moon Dreams and Venus De Milo float with haunting lyricism. The inclusion of Darn That Dream — featuring a rare vocal by Kenny Hagood — underscores the set’s warmth and intimacy.

This Capitol Japan pressing (ECJ-70056) is renowned for its clarity and balance, reproducing the iconic recordings with fidelity and subtlety. A landmark of postwar jazz, Birth of the Cool stands as the elegant blueprint for the West Coast sound and a cornerstone of Miles Davis’s evolution.

Vinyl: EX
Sleeve: EX
Obi: None

Our grading system explained here.

Photo is of the actual item.