Lou Takes Off

Lou Takes Off
Studio album by Lou Donaldson
Released	1958
Recorded	December 15, 1957 Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack
Genre	Jazz
Length	38:17
Label	Blue Note BLP 1591
Producer	Alfred Lion
Lou Donaldson chronology
Jimmy Smith Trio + LD (1957) Lou Takes Off (1957) Blues Walk (1958)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]

Lou Takes Off is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label and performed by Donaldson's Sextet with Donald Byrd, Curtis Fuller, Sonny Clark, Jamil Nasser, and Art Taylor.^[2] The album was awarded 4½ stars by Lee Bloom in an Allmusic review which stated "This recording marks a period in his development prior to a stylistic shift away from bop and toward a stronger rhythm and blues emphasis... Overall, Lou Takes Off breaks no new musical ground, but it is a solid, swinging session of high-caliber playing.^[3] According to Donaldson, Blue Note initially didn't like any of the album, "the conga drums or the new musicians."^[4]

Track listing

All compositions by Lou Donaldson except as indicated

1. "Sputnik" - 10:05
2. "Dewey Square" (Charlie Parker) - 7:16
3. "Strollin' In" - 14:34
4. "Groovin' High" (Dizzy Gillespie) - 6:22

Personnel

• Lou Donaldson - alto saxophone
• Donald Byrd - trumpet
• Curtis Fuller - trombone
• Sonny Clark - piano
• Jamil Nasser - bass
• Art Taylor - drums

Production

• Alfred Lion - producer
• Reid Miles - design
• Rudy Van Gelder - engineer
• Francis Wolff - photography

References