I really dislike your point of view.

  - Kind of Blue *is* a definitive jazz album.

  - Miles was *not* flaunting during that particular time period of writing and 
  recording.  He changed his mode of expression and self numerous times throughout 
  his life.

  - The musicians *were* at their peak *while they were together for this 
  recording*.

  - Cannonball Adderley's playing is often times the best of the bunch.

I don't think you can have "empty praise" when you are expressing your subjective opinion about music and you like something.