Customer Reviews

Out of the Cool (24bt) (Mlps)

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This is some of the best jazz you will ever hear. I still can't believe this was performed in 1961. I don't listen a great deal to 1950s/early 1960s jazz because it seems to me that while there was musical genius at work during that era in terms of creation of many of the great jazz songs and instrumentation, there is generally somewhat of a rough and primitive quality to the music compared to what it has evolved into in more recent decades.

But this music comes across to me as something that might have been created in the 70s or 80s. Gil Evans was way ahead of his time.

To enjoy this music you do need to have some affinity for big band jazz. However, Gil Evans' approach toward big band is very colorful, has lots of dynamic range, and tremendous solo performances, so don't be concerned that it is going to be just a bunch of loud choruses from the brass section.

One of the true classic jazz albums of the last half of the twentieth century. The arrangements by
Gil Evans are most unusual with excellent use of bass brass. Cool it is -- highly recommended.
Although unusual, will not offend the classical jazz listener. It is not free jazz for example and
is not ever dissonant.

Gripe. The companion album 'Into the Hot' is available only in an outrageously overpriced edition.

What a great classic disc. I'm not usually a fan of big band music, unless it's the Duke or Count Basie, but this is fantastic. Very creative and exquisite arrangements, and superb instrumental solos. There's really no one who did band arrangements like Gil Evans. If you liked his arrangements for the classic Miles Davis albums, you will love this.