Cookin', Relaxin', Workin', and Steamin' – Miles Davis Quintet
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The You'll Hear It podcast dives deep into four landmark albums by Miles Davis' first great quintet—Cookin’, Relaxin’, Workin’, and Steamin’—recorded in two marathon sessions over six months in 1956. These albums, released between 1957 and 1961, capture a pivotal rebirth: Miles Davis, fresh off overcoming heroin addiction and personal collapse, reemerges as a visionary leader with a band that becomes a brotherhood. The group—featuring John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones—plays with unmatched unity, confidence, and first-take spontaneity, turning standards into timeless jazz masterpieces. The hosts highlight not just the music’s brilliance but the raw humanity in the studio chatter, the revolutionary rhythm section, and the way these records laid the foundation for post-bop. Despite their accessibility, they’re not mere 'gateway drugs'—they’re the real deal, full of depth, swing, and soul. The episode reveals how these albums were recorded in just two days, with no second takes, yet deliver near-perfect performances. The hosts debate their ranking, with Relaxin’ emerging as a top contender, and celebrate Red Garland’s iconic introductions and Philly Joe Jones’ masterful, conversational drumming. They also explore the band’s evolution, Coltrane’s rise, and the tragic irony of his eventual departure due to addiction—mirroring Miles’ own past.
Miles Davis recorded four legendary albums in just two days across two sessions, all in first take with no retakes.
The 1956 quintet—Coltrane, Garland, Chambers, Jones—was a true brotherhood, playing together for months before recording, which fueled their effortless chemistry.
Red Garland’s piano introductions, especially his 'red spread' voicings, became a defining sound and are still studied by jazz pianists today.
The studio chatter on Relaxin’ is not filler—it’s a rare, intimate glimpse into the band’s humanity and professionalism, making it feel like a live recording.
John Coltrane’s rise in this band was meteoric; his solos on these records mark his arrival as a jazz titan, even before his later breakthroughs.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Miles' Rebirth and the Birth of a Legend
“He showed up at the Newport Jazz Festival, a last minute addition to an all-star group. A Columbia Records producer saw him and tried to sign him on the spot.”
The Quintet: A Brotherhood in Sound
The hosts introduce the legendary quintet—Miles, Coltrane, Garland, Chambers, and Jones—highlighting their deep personal and musical bond. They discuss how the band rehearsed constantly in clubs like Peacock Alley and Cafe Bohemia, building a tight, joyful unit that translated into studio magic.
Cookin’ with the Miles Davis Quintet: The First Masterpiece
The episode dives into Cookin’, released August 1957, starting with the iconic My Funny Valentine. The hosts praise the band’s confidence, Red Garland’s intros, and the effortless swing. They note that the entire album was recorded in one take, with no second takes, and that Miles’ Harman mute sound was already fully formed.
Relaxin’ and the Power of Studio Chatter
“The only other reference point I had for that as I started to get into this music was like live records. And I think that this very much falls in the Pantheon, Live at the Blackhawk, Live at the Plug Nickel...”
Workin’ and the Art of the Transition
Released December 1959, Workin’ is praised for its mature, cohesive sound. The hosts highlight the band’s ability to play with 'grown-up' confidence, the seamless transitions between solos, and the emotional depth of ballads like This Became a Standard 4. They also note the band’s use of non-click tempo, allowing for natural phrasing and subtle rubato.
“This is the greatest rhythm section in the history of recorded music.”
“It's like Louis Armstrong, West End Blues. I mean, it's up there.”
“I think this is... Okay, if it's not the greatest because I realize that is... Wow, you fell off that mountain quickly.”
Hosts
miles davis
person
adam maness
person
peter martin
person
john coltrane
person
red garland
person
paul chambers
person
philly joe jones
person
ahmad jamal
person
cookin' with the miles davis quintet
media
columbia records
organization
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