Time Out, Part 4
4
By jesster2
This 1963 recording is next in the continuing Brubeck saga of odd time signatures in jazz. Side 1 is Brubeck originals (except one by drummer Joe Morello). However, in those terms, there's not much adventure here. World's Fair, in 13, seems like it could be developed further but was, understandably, never taken up by the Quartet's repertoire; it's as relatively stiff as the original Take Five, which loosened up and swung more as time went on. Unisphere, ostensibly in 10, is really just in 5. The remaining tunes are in 3.
This doesn't diminish, however, the high quality of Brubeck's writing, particularly Iberia and Unisphere. Shim Wha is a naive melody, but Brubeck's solo is typically strong, and Morello's drum solo (the reason for the song) is remarkable. Desmond is also in fine form on the four tunes he plays on.
Side 2 is the best reason to own this album, because Elementals is Brubeck's first recorded attempt at an extended form, for orchestra (with jazz band within) and the Quartet improvising, and besides the excellence of these commentaries, the piece itself is highly accessible, based on only three notes: A, B, C. Additionally, there is a rare single of the main theme, with Quartet only, not originally found on the album.
