The Dave Brubeck Quartet – Time Out (2024 Columbia Legacy Vinyl LP)

First released in 1959 and reissued here in 2024 on Columbia Legacy, Time Out remains one of the most recognisable and best-selling jazz albums on vinyl, a record that broke every rule while still swinging with poise and clarity. Pianist Dave Brubeck and alto saxophonist Paul Desmond pushed the limits of rhythm, bringing odd time signatures into mainstream jazz and making them feel as natural as a blues walk.

The opener Blue Rondo à la Turk sets the tone, shifting effortlessly between Eastern-inspired patterns and cool West Coast swing. Strange Meadow Lark follows with a long, impressionistic piano introduction before giving way to Desmond’s light-as-air tone. And of course Take Five sits at the centre of it all, a 5/4 masterpiece that became jazz’s first true crossover hit. The second side moves between the playful Three to Get Ready and the relaxed bounce of Kathy’s Waltz, closing with Pick Up Sticks, where Joe Morello’s drums and Gene Wright’s bass bring it all home.

This European 180-gram pressing from Columbia and Legacy offers superb warmth and depth, with full stereo separation and beautifully restored artwork. Time Out isn’t just a cornerstone of cool jazz and bop innovation; it’s one of those rare albums that makes complexity sound effortless, a timeless listen for both newcomers and collectors.