Time Out

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

Doesn’t offend

Take my five stars!

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.

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.

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.

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>>

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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).

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.

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"

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.

That was one long elevator ride…

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

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.

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!

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

Obvious 5, a real pleasure.

This is an incredibly good album!

3 already in my favorites. Listening always.

Take five stars.

Banging

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

for en start! gøy og avslappende. spennende

Jazz❤️

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.

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.

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

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

A great sounding record for it being released in 1959.

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

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.

Fun

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

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.

Time out I needed

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

Good background music jazz

Take 5 plus some other Brubeck

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.

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

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

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

Good for relaxing at home

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.

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

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

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

Just empty to me.

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

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

Great chill album

One of the easiest five stars. To answer the great philosophical question posed by the Bee Movie, I do in fact like jazz. This was on my ‘should listen’ list but this was a very good forcing function.

Didn't realize this was in the list, I've enjoyed a few times before, and have enjoyed again.

I love me some compound time signature jams, and this is the OG!

I loved this. First song was absolutely fire, Take Five is a classic, and all around the album flowed really well. Highly recommend for some great jazz.

Here's Five for ya Dave! Would've given 10 but unfortunately can't do that here.

1959 was a year of change in jazz (ornette Coleman, Mingus, miles) and Brubeck’s approach certainly made people think of metre and time signatures. I would suggest that it influenced prog rock more than most, and the album doesn’t change time for every track. It has a chamber like elegance and subtlety.

Det blir ikke mye bedre enn Blue Rondo a la Turk ass.

yeah goat jazz album

I had written a very long, in-depth review of my thoughts about this album and each individual track, and upon submitting my score, it disappeared. The cliff notes version is basically; I am not a big fan of jazz. I've listened to three jazz albums thus far, and didn't rate any of them particularly highly. However, this album was completely different. Each song had something interesting going on, typically the time signature, but it was never gimmicky or used as a crutch. I'm going to try remember my thoughts of each song and roughly what I wrote for each. • The time signatures are the first thing to come to mind when you think about this album: the main melody of Blue Rondo à la Turk is in 9/8, while the solos are in 4/4. The 9/8 rhythm then breaks back into the song, almost feeling like it's interrupting the solos with how sudden it is. I really liked the walking bass line throughout the solo section. I don't typically enjoy walking lines, but this one feels like a masterclass example of one. As an aside, I didn't know the name of this song before listening to the album, and thought Take Five would be the only song I would recognise. As soon as this first track began, I was instantly hit by how many times I've heard it before. • Strange Meadow Lark is a nice reprieve from the odd time signatures, and the extended piano intro creates a nice atmosphere. • Take Five is truly iconic, and it deserves its place as one of the most successful jazz songs to exist. However, its success is a bit surprising considering how atypical the song is. The entire track is in 5/4, and it contains a long drum solo in the middle. That the song can be so strange and still be so popular is a testament to how well written and played it is. • Three to Get Ready is possibly my favourite track on the album. Its time signature is the most interesting to me, alternating between two bars of 3/4 and two bars of 4/4, giving the album a unique sense of momentum. The 3/4 bars feel as if they're gracefully floating along, while the 4/4 bars are pushing forward. The bass exemplifies this well, only playing one note for each 3/4 bar and switching to a walking line for the 4/4 bars. • Kathy's Waltz is a much more typical song, though it is interesting that a song named for being a Waltz doesn't switch to 3/4 until 90 seconds have passed • Everybody's Jumpin' and Pick Up Sticks are the two most straightforward tracks on the album, but even then neither of them are in 4/4. This album is easily the best jazz album I've heard so far on this journey. Every song feels like it has a reason to be included, and the musicians are at the top of their game. Unlike the other albums I've heard so far, it doesn't feel like there's any filler on this album. Songs don't outstay their welcome, and the album is less than 40 minutes long. This album is absolutely deserving of the accolades it has received. Favourite song: Three to Get Ready

Timeless.

So iconic. It’s the kind of music that makes you feel both humbled and excited to hear more. Also the album just sounds great given its age.

Beautiful album, my Father bought this on its release, so was playing it whilst I grew up, the classic “Take 5”

This is one of those albums that's just part of my DNA. When I was getting into jazz this was one of my gateways, and it's been one I revisit fairly regularly. This was a great listen today, and reminded me how much I love this set of songs. Take Five is obviously an all time classic, but Blue Rondo is up there for me as well, what a perfect tune for the kind of optimistic daydreaming I used to do. An age gone. It's gonna be a 5/5 from me. It's an album of relatively simple melodies with lots of time feel playing beneath the surface. Shapes emerging and rearranging, collapsing and reforming under a gorgeous mid century album cover.

Love Dave Brubeck.

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

doo doo doo du doo doo doo doo du tun tun tun

If i was a student from berkeley, im pretty sure this would be the soundtrack we'd play at the parties, this music is good for focus and to enjoy a good conversation! really chill and soothing.

Love it

I could listen to these folks all day

Time Out is easily one of the most enjoyable jazz albums I've heard. It's super accessible despite having some odd aspects (mainly time signatures), yet it's became one of the most popular jazz albums ever. Call me simple, but "Take Five" is my favorite off of this album, I just love its sound. Favorite Song: "Take Five"

It's THE dave Brubeck album. It has take 5 on it come on! I enjoyed it greatly from start to finish. Cool jazz is such an apt name for this genre. It's incredible to me how the odd time signatures manage to both keep the listener on their toes whilst at the same time never feeling shoehorned in. It always just "works" for the music. Paul Desmond and Joe Marello deserve special shout-out for this. The former plays an incredible sax that sounded soooo good throughout the album whilst the latter managed not to skip a single beat on drums whilst playing some wild time signatures, especially for the late 50s!!

Nice. This is a fabulous piece of music.

5/5 - This thing has been a classic for ages

Classic Jazz standard. The time signature changes in the title song seems to have inspired future generations or Progressive rock and jazz fusion groups

Nice

fjfj

Auch dieses Album war ein Meilenstein!