Time Out

The Dave Brubeck Quartet

1959

3.83

Rating

24640

Votes

24%

35%

31%

Distribution

Genres: Jazz Styles: Cool Jazz

Album Summary

Time Out is a studio album by the American jazz group the Dave Brubeck Quartet, released in 1959 on Columbia Records. Recorded at Columbia's 30th Street Studio in New York City, it is based upon the use of time signatures that were unusual for jazz such as 98, 64 and 54. The album is a subtle blend of cool and West Coast jazz.The album peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard pop albums chart, and was the first jazz album to sell a million copies. The single "Take Five" off the album was also the first jazz single to sell one million copies. By 1963, the record had sold 500,000 units, and in 2011 it was certified double platinum by the RIAA, signifying over two million records sold. The album was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2009. The album was selected, in 2005, for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

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Reviews

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Length: All Short Long

Dec 05 2021 Author

It was nice. I’m sure if I understood music theory it would be really interesting. But I’m stupid.

Mar 09 2021 Author

Do ya like jazz? Do ya like other people knowing you like jazz? Then play Time Out at your nearest social gathering and tell everyone that you enjoy odd time signatures and polyrhythms while you tap your feet to one of the most played jazz tunes ever. You're not normal, you're weird in all the right ways! Lol all joking aside, I fucking love this album, and why shouldn't I? Just like with the Beatles, the reason so many people like the music is because it is genuinely incredible, and Dave Brubeck does it here too. One gripe though - whenever I play this album, I always get a twinge of "maybe I should be playing some jazz by a black artist instead" simply because I've found myself listening to a lot of jazz by white guys. But that doesn't detract from the songs. Unsquare Dance is my favorite here.

May 29 2021 Author

Smoked a joint and listened to this on vinyl and reading the jacket notes. Got lost in the music. Take 5 is a masterpiece. Put on Miles in a Silent Way after, I don't listen to my jazz collection enough, but I digress. Time Out is a 5.

Feb 11 2021 Author

Before I give my thoughts I want to honor the fact that jazz music was traditionally a black musical style that some white people liked and became famous with in places that many black musicians were not allowed to go. That being said- I really like this Jazz album- I was very productive listening to it because jazz piano is my favorite.

Mar 09 2021 Author

This is (probably) the ultimate Cool Jazz record. Something you put on and sip a martini and cook a steak to. You can really hear the West Coast laid back playing on this as opposed to the busy New York playing that was coming out of Blue Note (although this was recorded in NYC). It produced 3 jazz standards just on the first side for goodness sake. Favorite song: Take Five and Blue Rondo à la Turk Least favorite song: don’t really have one

Jan 04 2024 Author

First song was good, then I forgot it was playing. Not too bad 5/4 this, 9/8 that, how about 3/5

Feb 24 2022 Author

One of the first jazz albums to come into my possession. This could be seen as 'baby's first jazz' in some respects, as it's a light, clean listen with enough toe-tappers for popular appeal. However, even repeated exposure to 'Take Five' hasn't dimmed its lustre. There's a high degree of sophistication at play here - Brubeck was influenced by the rhythms of Balkan and Bulgarian folk music, so 'Take Five', 'Blue Rondo...' step outside of 4/4 time and take the cool paradigm into slippery places. Five stars all the way, I spin this one frequently.

Apr 17 2023 Author

You know an album is a masterpiece when it's incredibly technical and sophisticated, but is still accessible and enjoyable. A blend of African, Eastern, traditional/folk, and Jazz that comes together just perfectly.

Sep 18 2021 Author

I had no idea what to expect but definitely found myself loving it. During the opening to the first track I had a hard time believing it's a 50's jazz track as it sounded much more like the opening to a 80's prog rock or progressive metal track. The rest of the album sounded more like I imagined highly technical cool jazz to sound like. But unlike other examples of this style I never felt bored with it. Just really good music to have playing which is both excellent in the background and for the occasional more intense listening during the particularly playful segments. Will save this one to re-listen for sure.

Mar 09 2021 Author

I don’t have anything smart to say, for whatever reason I had never really listening to Dave Brubeck before this and I definitely need to spend more time checking his music out cuz this was great.

Dec 10 2023 Author

Good background music for when wacky shenanigans are afoot. Make sure to keep looking above yourself while listening to this album, because a comically oversized anvil could drop down on your head at any moment. This album has a similar feel to it as cheese. I don't mean to call it "cheesy", I mean that it literally reminds of cheese. Like, I can smell some fresh tasty gorgonzola while listening to this. Call that Synescheesia. Four outta seven!

Apr 04 2024 Author

all instrumentals. I don't mind instrumentals (read: lofi, read: chopin) but these ones were boring af.

Apr 22 2025 Author

Take my five stars!

Dec 20 2021 Author

Even this perpetual jazz neophyte can hear how peerless this is. The one instantly recognizable piece took on greate depth and nuance for me in its proper context here.

Jun 28 2023 Author

It wasn't amazing, but it was easy to listen to, quite pleasant and interesting to hear hints of what would come in the following decades. There were definitely some parts that sounded like the beginnings of Progressive Rock for example, particularly King Crimson. Another one that was hard to rate. It felt like a pretty strong 3, not quite enough for a 4.

Mar 25 2023 Author

Doesn’t offend

Feb 21 2023 Author

Very much a gateway album for me. It's instantly accessible, even with the strange time signatures used throughout, it just sounds cool. There's not been many hit songs in 5/4, but Time Out is more than just Take 5, I probably prefer Blue Rondo à La Turk, but there's not a dud on the album. If you're not sure about Jazz, give this a listen and then go Hard Bop and Free Jazz, just like me! 5 / 5 stars.

Aug 28 2022 Author

08/27/2022 This album is very special to me for a number of reasons. Take Five was the first jazz recording that I ever heard back in third grade when my elementary school did a program called music memory. We were played sound bytes of different famous recordings and this was one of them. I have loved this recording since 2007-2008. Nearly 15 years of love. Fast forward to the future, I fell in love with the entire album after working at my university’s radio station that played jazz in the afternoons. I was the DJ for the 3-5 hour on Mondays or Wednesdays. Became familiar w many more songs and the style of Dave brubeck’s players because of this. — Today was super chill, I finally got to run some errands. Ran to target, had a great time getting lunch stuff and other little fun items. Came back and made myself a nice lil dinner and then just watched Netflix and crocheted.

Aug 13 2022 Author

Shimmers in its understated brilliance, popular this may have been but this in no way detracts from its status as high art. The recording is exquisite, the sophistication in the playing extraordinary. An album to repeat and find new things or to just enjoy and absorb, Time Out is special.

Nov 22 2021 Author

My family used to listen to this CD in the car all the times and Take Five is one of my dad's favorite songs, so this album has heavy nostalgic power for me! The music is so masterful and wonderful <<chef's kiss>>

Oct 07 2021 Author

A classic of cool jazz, and jazz as a greater whole. Dave Brubeck is so precise on the keys that he sounds like a MIDI file, and the rest of the team backs him up superbly, particularly Desmond and Morello on the highlight Take Five.

Oct 01 2021 Author

Another watershed jazz album. Brubeck's playing is complex and experiments with time signatures of various more 'exotic' influences. This coupled with Paul Desmond's acrobatic saxophone playing make this album groundbreaking and approachable.

Jun 23 2021 Author

I feel like a broken record (heh) on these, but I have loved all the instrumental albums not by Miles Davis. I've heard a lot of these before but never as an album. Great stuff.

Apr 01 2023 Author

There’s something about this record I just don’t like, not sure what it is. It’s fine, but ultimately just kind of…eh. Like, it makes sense that it’s kind of a gateway record for people to get into jazz- it’s not particularly challenging and it’s easy on the ears, but after two listens it’s kind of driving me nuts.

Dec 31 2025 Author

Really enjoyed this, some songs reminded me of RPG battle music

May 08 2023 Author

I know every discordant piano chord, every lick of Paul Desmond's clarinet and honed my chops as a drummer learning 5/4 and 7/8 from the master, Joe Morello. My indie/new wave band introduced me to its genius at the age of 16 and I've loved it ever since. Jazz with a wink and a smile on its face. Pure enjoyment. Go on songwriters, throw a change of time signature in every now and then and make the music interesting.

Jun 26 2022 Author

I'm not a jazz aficionado by any stretch, but I know what I like. I like this album and now know it belongs to the cool jazz genre. Cool.

Jun 14 2022 Author

Automatic fiver here. Love Dave Brubeck, and this has some of his most signature classics. Opening with "Blue Rondo a la Turk" is enough to let you know you're in for a great ride. I think Brubeck's the pianist, but man, shoutout to whoever is on sax because the sax cuts through these tracks like a hot knife through butter. For me, this is quintessential smooth jazz. I'll always be reminded of that Malcolm in the Middle episode where Hal finds the old bomb shelter in the backyard and hides down there drinking scotch, talking to a portrait of JFK, and listening to "Take Five." Love, love, love it. Favorite tracks: Take Five, Blue Rondo a la Turk, Strange Meadow Lark, Pick Up Sticks, basically all of it. Album art: One of the many jazz albums with the sort of "framed abstract art" concept for the cover, and I really like it. The art is excellent, the text font and colors are bold. It's simple and informative, but very memorable. 5/5

Apr 13 2022 Author

Four profoundly talented, creative, and meticulous musicians, each making it sound effortless. I appreciate that this album is extremely accessible, but that it's does that without compromising richness and complexity. You could listen to each track 10 times in a row and still discover new fills and trills with every playthrough.

Mar 15 2022 Author

One of my all time favourite albums and maybe the only jazz album I really like. The groove of about every track totally gets me. Dave Brubecks simple piano style is great and Joe Morello is phantastic on the drums (e.g. on take five, which they basically created primarily for the drum solo, and I find it ironic when radios cut the song before the solo).

Apr 23 2022 Author

Inoffensive, too easy listening. Willing to give it a second chance and not an album I think I'd ever buy. Missing the bite of the jazz I love: Coltrane, Coleman, and Davis.

Jun 03 2024 Author

I'm not an active jazz fan as much as I like using it as background music for a vibe. However, with two recognizable songs "Blue Rondo a la Turk" and "Take Five", interesting time signatures, and an accessible cool jazz sound, this album stands out among the nameless shuffled playlists. I was shocked to see it was from the 50s, I guess jazz doesn't show its age as much as pop/rock. Also enjoyed the fun fact of the melody of "Kathy's Waltz" inspiring the Beatles' "All My Loving"

Oct 11 2021 Author

Such a great album. Everything about this reeks of hep cat coolness...but in a good way! And Joe Morello's ride cymbal on "Take Five" is unparalleled. It doesn't quite make it to four stars for me because I'm not a jazz guy. 3 1/2 would be more like it.

Jul 03 2025 Author

That was one long elevator ride…

May 25 2022 Author

I have somewhat of a love/hate relationship with Jazz, and this leans more towards the latter side. Everybody knows Take Five; it's nice, but a bit boring for my taste. The album as a whole is much too cerebral. It's Jazz by the (odd) numbers, but it doesn't speak to me. 2/5

Dec 23 2021 Author

Unlistenable dogshit. It’s the back in black of jazz.

Feb 28 2026 Author

I once played Blue Rondo in my jazz band in high school, so I'm intimately familiar with the time signatures in this one. I love math rock now too so it did something to my brain man. Favourite track: Take Five

Feb 24 2026 Author

Utterly charming and utterly timeless. Each track feels like it could continue for 20 minutes and sadly we only get about 4 mins. Perfection.

Feb 10 2026 Author

Don't have much to say about this classic, even non jazz fans can feel the cool here

Jan 27 2026 Author

I mean I can't count how many times I've listened to Take Five. I remember driving around with my dad when I was a kid and it was always on the radio because he listened to smooth jazz 105.9, and this was one of the rare songs I loved as opposed to literally anything by Kenny G. But I haven't sat and listened to the rest of the album intently before and it is just brilliant. The push and pull of the tempo in Blue Rondo to start is genius, such a journey to go through in a nearly 7 minute track. Everybody in the band pulls their weight.

Jan 22 2026 Author

Want to be instantly cool and respected by all music lovers? Listen to this album, One of the true, major influences, it welcomes people to modern jazz. Amazing. You win instantly know "Take Five" but "Blue Rondo A la Turk" is classic!!! Thank me later!

Jan 12 2026 Author

A classic. An all time favourite. Excellent during the holiday season and all year round.

Jan 12 2026 Author

Obvious 5, a real pleasure.

Jan 06 2026 Author

This is an incredibly good album!

Jan 06 2026 Author

3 already in my favorites. Listening always.

Jan 04 2026 Author

Take five stars.

Jan 03 2026 Author

Banging

Jan 02 2026 Author

Take Five was one of the songs that got me into Jazz in the first place; the entire album is full of gems.

Dec 31 2025 Author

for en start! gøy og avslappende. spennende

Dec 30 2025 Author

Jazz❤️

Dec 30 2025 Author

This album is beautiful. I was sold on giving it a 5 until I heard the drums on Kathy's Waltz. I'm still going to give it a 5 because I'm sure that the drums are NOT out of sync, but it is challenging to listen to.

Dec 03 2025 Author

Laidback loveliness around a blazing classic in “Take Five”. Simon, I bet we’ve known people for whom this was their contemporary pop; most if not all gone, we’ve that strange sensation of hearing something fall out of living memory.

Dec 03 2025 Author

Take Five I knew, the rest are similarly excellent. Great alto sax tone, groovy album! [EDIT - purchased and upgraded]

Dec 02 2025 Author

Take time out to listen. No notes on all the notes. Perfect.

Jun 07 2025 Author

A great sounding record for it being released in 1959.

Jul 03 2022 Author

Relaxing, classic jazz. Steady percussion, smooth brass, instrumental jazz.

Apr 18 2022 Author

Very cool. I don’t hate jazz, I hate shrill & stressful trumpets, but the sax on this is smooth and mellow and lovely. It’s both accessible and challenging with the recognisable hooks but crazy time signatures. Good stuff.

Feb 19 2026 Author

Enjoyable, good non disruptive music for work and concentration

Feb 16 2026 Author

I imagine this playing in a hotel restaurant in downtown Chicago…

Jan 06 2026 Author

Fun

Jan 06 2026 Author

This is not a familiar genre of music for me but the entire vibe was smooth and uplifting

Jan 05 2026 Author

Maybe it’s just because it’s jazz, but this feels like the antithesis to the rock album I called generic. This was just fun to listen to, often for simple reasons - Take Five is so damn simple but so catchy. Exactly the kind of thing I was hoping to get from this list.

Jan 03 2026 Author

Time out I needed

Jan 03 2026 Author

Not a huge fan of Jazz, but so many well known tracks on this album, would listen to it again

Jan 03 2026 Author

Good background music jazz

Jan 03 2026 Author

Take 5 plus some other Brubeck

Jan 02 2026 Author

It sounds like I'm in the room where they're recording this. Also it's giving Charlie Brown Christmas, or fancy hotel. Not in a bad way though.

Dec 31 2025 Author

wow didn't know take five was this famous jazz song that I grew up listening to all the time.

Dec 31 2025 Author

Love the flow and groove on this one. Straight to favourites

Dec 30 2025 Author

Really good. Interesting and intricate while still being approachable and down to earth.

Dec 30 2025 Author

Good for relaxing at home

Oct 02 2023 Author

An album that is so much more than just "Take Five". I've heard this album quite a few times. I'd say it's a great album for those that want to explore jazz a little more. Great listening and not too abstract enough to put off non-jazzers.

Jun 05 2023 Author

Wonderfully weird time signatures on some really great tunes. Very listenable.

Feb 16 2022 Author

Made somewhat cliche by time and popularity but a great record, with far more complexity and nuance than maybe it gets credit for

Feb 17 2026 Author

Doing this makes me wish I knew more about music theory and instruments and time signatures and stuff to give me a critical way into music rather than just, I like it, I don’t like it. In the meantime, I like it.

Feb 11 2026 Author

Great background music

May 22 2024 Author

Nice background music (especially if played live) for a dinner in a candle-lit, velvet-lined, red wine & martini-serving restaurant.

Feb 21 2026 Author

It's Sims music again. It's got that iconic Take Five, but not sure I can really get into jazz on the whole. I'm sure it's good for what it is, but a bit of a letdown for my 365th day. Happy albumiverssary to me.

Oct 28 2024 Author

Just empty to me.

Feb 21 2026 Author

I dont like jazz. It hurts my head. All the right notes not necessarily in the right order. Sit a dozen chimps in an orchestra pit and you will get jazz

Jan 27 2026 Author

Felt like I was on the longest elevator ride of my life. Yea, I get jazz is the "musician's music" or whatever, but unless JK Simmons is conducting then I want nothing to do with it.

Jan 19 2026 Author

Its Jazz.

Jan 17 2026 Author

I’m sorry to all the jazz heads, but this all sounds the same to me. plus, Take Five is waaaaaaaaaayyyyy overplayed for me to still like it. 2/10

Dec 16 2024 Author

Completely not my kind of music, I can't listen to this for 38 minutes. I find it boring, wandering, disconnected - it's like listening to Math. Wrong audience, it may be a spectacular album for someone

Mar 17 2026 Author

Jazz that doesn't overstay its welcome

Mar 16 2026 Author

Classic timeless perfect

Mar 11 2026 Author

5 stars, 5 stars, 5 stars. End of discussion. Terrific and approachable jazz, and serves as perfect high-class house party background music or a night with just yourself smoking by the record player.

Mar 10 2026 Author

Great album, another classic. Joe Morello, Paul Desmond . . . Of course this is a 5.

Mar 10 2026 Author

Cool music for cool people. I can’t believe this is 65 years old. I believe this, and music like it, has the best shot at being the ‘classical’ music of our day - that stuff that humans, if there are still humans and a place for them to live, will be listening to 300 years from now.

Mar 09 2026 Author

One of my favorite jazz albums. For a long time, this was the first album I'd think of when I wanted to listen to some jazz, and it's still one of the albums I reach for when I go on a kick or am looking to listen to something during the evening while cooking/eating dinner. Great album 5/5

Mar 08 2026 Author

Absolutely beautiful and well executed. Each instrument is played perfectly and has the most incredible tone. The reverb is godlike as well. really good wow

Mar 08 2026 Author

Gear: Abyss DIANA MR Artwork: 🟪🟧🟦 Production: 🎧😘🤌 Music: 🌀🎷🧊 Rating: 🎨🎨🎨🎨🎨/5

Mar 05 2026 Author

I don't even like jazz, but can't deny the masterpiece that this is standout: take 5 ofc

Mar 05 2026 Author

Some of the greatest jazz of all time. One of the densest, cleanest albums ever.

Mar 04 2026 Author

Artiste et album connu, il fait partie de mes préférés. Il est très accessible malgré ses signatures rythmiques particulières. Les thèmes sont inoubliables, et j'adore le son, le style et les impros de Paul Desmond. Un vrai bonheur, à écouter sans modération ! =>5/5

Mar 03 2026 Author

Such beautiful music…🎺

Mar 03 2026 Author

Love it

Mar 03 2026 Author

Classic for a reason

Mar 02 2026 Author

The playing of Paul Desmond is phenomenal. The entire band is great. Masterpiece.

Mar 02 2026 Author

A jazz classic