This is one of the best known and most iconic jazz albums of the bebop era, and a personal favourite.
I seem to have always owned this CD (although the reissue date is 1997). Widely regarded as Brubeck's finest hour, it's four jazz masters at the top of their game.
Opening with the 9/8 sound of Blue Rondo A La Turk, Brubeck's piano beautifully underpins Paul Desmond's sax, especially in the wonderful middle section where the quartet seamlessly move between four time and nine time. Strange Meadow Lark is altogether more gentle 'smooth jazz' - two minutes of of piano intro from Brubeck, before Desmond gives us a few minutes sax, and Brubeck wraps up. Then it's the hit, Take Five, one of the most famous five minutes of five time ever, still sounding good, despite the Joe Morello drum solo. In the second half, Three To Get Ready is another lovely tune, the sax being more interesting than some of the piano intricacies, while the 'pleasant but no more' Kathy's Waltz and Pick Up Sticks bookend the far more exciting sax driven Everybody's Jumping.
All in all, it's a great listen, with the two best known being the stand outs.
4* - a fantastic jazz classic
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