Tag: Dave Brubeck

Top 5 Essential Jazz Albums You Should Own

As a music genre, jazz holds a significant position in the global music scene. With its unique improvisational approach and wide range of influences, jazz has enthralled music enthusiasts for more than a century. Whether you’re a newcomer to the genre or an avid vinyl collector, there are a few indispensable albums that you shouldn’t miss.

It was hard to narrow it down, but here are the 5 essential and highly acclaimed jazz records you should own.

1. Kind of Blue – Miles Davis

“Kind of Blue” is the undisputed champion of jazz records and it’s unlikely that you’ll come across a list where the album isn’t ranked at number one, it simply stands above all the rest. But why?

First and foremost, “Kind of Blue” is a masterpiece of improvisation. Miles Davis and his band, which included jazz icons like John Coltrane and Bill Evans, recorded the album in just two sessions, and much of it was improvised on the spot. The result is a sound that is both innovative and deeply emotional. It departs from Davis’s earlier hard bop jazz style, which featured intricate chord progressions and improvisation, and is instead entirely based on modality. Each musician was given a specific set of scales that defined the boundaries of their improvisation and personal style, resulting in a series of modal sketches comprising the entire album.

But “Kind of Blue” is more than just a technical achievement. It’s an album that captures the very essence of jazz – its soulful, melancholic beauty. From the opening notes of “So What” to the closing strains of “Flamenco Sketches,” the album takes the listener on a journey through the heart of jazz music.

2. A Love Supreme – John Coltrane

There are few jazz albums as revered and influential as John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme.” Released in 1965, it is widely regarded as not only one of the best jazz albums ever released but as one of the greatest albums in music history. From its spiritual themes to its innovative approach to improvisation, “A Love Supreme” remains a groundbreaking and enduring work of art

John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” is a transformative and deeply personal work that speaks to the heart of human experience. As a listener, I am drawn in by the raw emotion and spiritual depth of the album, which was released by Impulse! Records in 1965. Coltrane’s tenor saxophone playing is both virtuosic and soulful, conveying a sense of urgency and purpose that reflects his search for enlightenment.

The album is comprised of four parts: “Acknowledgment,” “Resolution,” “Pursuance,” and “Psalm.” Each part builds upon the previous one, forming a cohesive and emotionally impactful musical journey. The album’s themes revolve around Coltrane’s spiritual awakening and his desire to express his gratitude and devotion to a higher power.

3. Time Out – The Dave Brubeck Quartet

“Time Out”, the 1959 album by The Dave Brubeck Quartet, is a landmark album in jazz history that transcends the boundaries of the genre. The album features a series of complex and innovative time signatures that were unusual for jazz at the time, and it has become one of the most beloved and essential jazz albums of all time.

The quartet includes Dave Brubeck on piano, Paul Desmond on alto saxophone, Eugene Wright on bass, and Joe Morello on drums. The album is characterized by the group’s use of unusual time signatures, for example the iconic “Take Five,” which is played in 5/4 time. “Take Five” is undoubtedly the album’s most famous track and has become a jazz standard in its own right. The track features an infectious melody that is both catchy and sophisticated, with Desmond’s alto saxophone taking the lead and Brubeck’s piano providing the rhythmic foundation.

“Time Out’s” influence on jazz and popular music cannot be overstated. The album paved the way for other jazz musicians to experiment with unusual time signatures and brought jazz to a wider audience.

4. Somethin’ Else – Cannonball Adderley

“Somethin’ Else,” the 1958 album by the legendary saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, is a staple of the jazz world. This album is a true masterpiece that stands the test of time with its unique sound and an all-star ensemble that includes Miles Davis on trumpet, Hank Jones on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Art Blakey on drums.

The title track “Somethin’ Else” is an absolute gem of a composition by Adderley, where the musicians blend hard bop and soulful blues to create an unforgettable sound. The track is a masterpiece in its own right. Apart from the title track, the album boasts some of the most iconic jazz tracks of the era. “Autumn Leaves” is a beautiful rendition of the classic jazz standard that showcases Adderley’s soulful playing, while “One for Daddy-O” is a groove-based piece that features the band’s effortless synergy and their ability to lock in tight.

The musicians on this album were at the top of their game, with Miles Davis’s legendary trumpet work being a standout feature. The interplay between Davis and Adderley is electrifying, and the two create a magical blend of sounds that are both breathtaking and awe-inspiring.

5. The Shape of Jazz to Come – Ornette Coleman

“The Shape of Jazz to Come” features Ornette Coleman’s unconventional approach to jazz and challenged the traditional notions of harmony, melody, and rhythm, and paved the way for the free jazz movement of the 1960s. The album features a quartet that includes Coleman on alto saxophone, Don Cherry on trumpet, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums. The quartet’s sound is raw and free-flowing, with Coleman’s unorthodox melodies and Cherry’s angular trumpet lines creating a sense of tension and release.

The title track, “The Shape of Jazz to Come,” is a stunning piece that showcases Coleman’s innovative approach to composition. The track features an unpredictable melody that is both chaotic and beautiful, with Coleman’s saxophone soaring above the rhythm section. Another standout track is “Lonely Woman,” a haunting ballad that has become one of Coleman’s most well-known compositions. The track features Coleman’s melancholic saxophone playing, with Haden’s bass providing a mournful accompaniment.

“The Shape of Jazz to Come” was not just a departure from the traditional jazz of the time; it was a revolution. Coleman’s music challenged the status quo and opened up new possibilities for the genre. His influence on the jazz world cannot be overstated, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of musicians.

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Time OutTakes: A Peek Into The Studio With The Dave Brubeck Quartet

When author Philip Clark was researching for his biography Dave Brubeck: A Life in Time, he discovered previously unissued tapes from the recording sessions of Time Out in 1959. Time Out, a studio album by The Dave Brubeck Quartet, was the first jazz record to sell over one million copies. The recently released outtakes give us an idea of how the album came to life.

Dave Brubeck formed his first group in 1946. In 1951, composer and alto saxophonist Paul Desmond joined the current trio, creating the first quartet. Over the years, Desmond and Brubeck remained the only constants in the group. In 1956 drummer Joe Morello replaced Lloyd Davis, and in 1958 double bass player Eugene “The Senator” Wright joined the group replacing Norman Bates. They would form The Dave Brubeck Quartet for the next decade. Time Out, recorded in 1959, features these musicians.

Starting in 1955, The American State Department saw the potential of jazz music as propaganda for the American way of life during the Cold War. They would send their most acclaimed jazz musicians, including pianist Dave Brubeck, to countries that recently became independent. These so-called Jazz Ambassadors would promote the western way of life via jazz music. Brubeck, fascinated about folkloric rhythms, picked up inspiration for his compositions while traveling around. In, for example, his composition Blue Rondo Ă  la Turk he got inspired by rhythms played by Turkish street musicians.

The ensemble became known for its use of unusual rhythms. In the jazz standard Take Five, composed by Paul Desmond, the uncommon time signature 5/4 was used. It was the first jazz composition using another signature other than the standard 4/4 or 3/4 times. The song became a widely acknowledged jazz classic and one of the best-selling jazz singles of all time.

With the release of Time OutTakes on the family label Brubeck Editions, we can peek into the studio and have a look at how the album came to life. Apart from alternate takes on Take Five and Blue Rondo Ă  la Turk on the A-side, we get some newly issued materials on the B-side.

The outtakes give us a look into the creation of this iconic album. You can ask yourself: “What if the record label decided to release a different version of the song?”. Song details that fans are so familiar with today could have looked different.

“It’s this outtake of “Take Five” that provides the most revealing insights into the quartet’s humility and clear-eyed approach to making the adjustments that would best serve each tune and the album’s aesthetic as a whole.”

Matt Silver (Review for WRTI Radio)