Time Out

by The Dave Brubeck Quartet, Dave Brubeck

Overview

Dave Brubeck's defining masterpiece, Time Out is one of the most rhythmically innovative albums in jazz history, the first to consciously explore time signatures outside of the standard 4/4 beat or 3/4 waltz time. It was a risky move -- Brubeck's record company wasn't keen on releasing such an arty project, and many critics initially roasted him for tampering with jazz's rhythmic foundation. But for once, public taste was more advanced than that of the critics. Buoyed by a hit single in altoist Paul Desmond's ubiquitous "Take Five," Time Out became an unexpectedly huge success, and still ranks as one of the most popular jazz albums ever. That's a testament to Brubeck and Desmond's abilities as composers, because Time Out is full of challenges both subtle and overt -- it's just that they're not jarring. Brubeck's classic "Blue Rondo a la Turk" blends jazz with classical form and Turkish folk rhythms, while "Take Five," despite its overexposure, really is a masterpiece; listen to how well Desmond's solo phrasing fits the 5/4 meter, and how much Joe Morello's drum solo bends time without getting lost. The other selections are richly melodic as well, and even when the meters are even, the group sets up shifting polyrhythmic counterpoints that nod to African and Eastern musics. Some have come to disdain Time Out as its become increasingly synonymous with upscale coffeehouse ambience, but as someone once said of Shakespeare, it's really very good in spite of the people who like it. It doesn't just sound sophisticated -- it really is sophisticated music, which lends itself to cerebral appreciation, yet never stops swinging. Countless other musicians built on its pioneering experiments, yet it's amazingly accessible for all its advanced thinking, a rare feat in any art form. This belongs in even the most rudimentary jazz collection. ~ Steve Huey

Product Details

Release Date:	03/25/1997
Label:	Columbia/Legacy
UPC:	0074646512227

Tracks

1. Blue Rondo ¿¿ la Turk
2. Strange Meadow Lark
3. Take Five
4. Three to Get Ready
5. Kathy's Waltz
6. Everybody's Jumpin'
7. Pick Up Sticks

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Dave Brubeck Quartet   Primary Artist
Dave Brubeck   Primary Artist,Piano
Dan Brubeck   Primary Artist
Paul Desmond   Sax (Alto)
Joe Morello   Drums
Eugene Wright   Bass,Sax (Alto),Double Bass

Technical Credits

Steven Berkowitz   Reissue Series,Reissue
Paul Desmond   Composer
Iola Brubeck   Composer
J. Fred Coots   Composer
The Dave Brubeck Quartet   Performer,Recording
Fred Plaut   Engineer
W.C. Handy   Composer
Teo Macero   Producer,Original Recordings,Original Recording Producer
Russell Gloyd   Producer,Reissue Producer
Didier C. Deutsch   Producer
Mark Wilder   Engineer,Digital Mastering
Arthur Johnston   Composer
A. Johnston   Composer
Dan Brubeck   Composer
Haven Gillespie   Composer
Adrian Johnston   Composer
Dave Brubeck   Composer,Performer,Recording,Liner Notes
Seth Rothstein   Project Director
Patti Matheny   A&R
Rene Arsenault   Production Assistant
Johnny Burke   Composer
Kevin Gore   Reissue,Reissue Series
Kryssy Bloch   Producer
Joseph Roeder   Creative Director
Marc Stecker   Technician
Rob Washburn   Editing
Steve Race   Liner Notes
Mike Nack   Technician
Chris Lenz   Producer
Gina Bello   Design Assistant
Cozbi Sanchez-Cabrera   Art Direction,Reissue Art Director
Michael Schwartz   Editing
Randall Martin   Reissue Design
Jennifer Ebert   Package Manager,Packaging Manager
Don Hunstein   Photography
Paul Furedi   Mixing
Judd Frankel   Producer
Adam Bostic   Editing
Andy Jennison   Editing