Right after getting of George Patton’s army in WWII, Dave Brubeck went and changed the rhythmic world of modern jazz. This two disc, 50 song collection shows Brubeck’s evolution, ranging from hip trio, to artsy octet and then looking for the right combination of quartet.
Brubeck’s first trio includes similar visionary Cal Tjader on drums, vibes and percussion and the team swings on “Lullaby In Rhythm” and bounces delightfully on “Let’s Fall In Love” with some gorgeous moods on “Laura”. Brubeck is already stretching out his digits on “Crazy Chris” and “Lyons Busy”. The forward thinking octet includes both Paul Desmond/as and Bill Smith/cl, both future long term partners, along with Tjader and some polished brass. The sophisticated charts produce a rich tapestry on “Fugue on Bop Themes” and “Prelude” while swinging fairly deftly on “The Way You Look Tonight”. Brubeck then creates his first quartet with cool toned alto saxist Paul Desmond, mixing and matching various rhythm teams (with bassist Fred Dutton doubling on bassoon) on intricate takes of “Lyons Busy” or “At A Perfume Counter”. Even though he hasn’t yet reached the promised land of his “classic” quartet, Brubeck’s work with Desmond, even at this stage, is state of the art, with a fun “Lulu’s Back In Town” and a velvety “Alice In Wonderland”, with “My Romance” dispelling those who think that the band was all about Desmond. Brubeck on take 4.