Cookin' and Relaxin'

Cookin' and Relaxin' is a 2011 reissue that pairs two mid-1950s Prestige sessions by Miles Davis's first great quintet. The music is rooted in hard bop and small-group swing, with Davis's spare, lyrical trumpet lines, tight ensemble playing, and concise, purposeful solos that emphasize melody and rhythmic drive. The recordings capture the chemistry of the quintet and the clarity of studio performance, making them good examples of Davis's early approach to intimate, standards-based group improvisation.