AMG Review of Dave Brubeck Jazz Collection

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

This two-CD set gives one a fine overview of the Dave Brubeck Quartet during their years on Columbia. All of the 28 selections are available elsewhere so longtime collectors will want to skip this reissue, but those listeners just beginning to discover Brubeck's special music may want to acquire this set for a start. The main "hits" ("Take Five," "Blue Rondo A La Turk," etc.) are here but, even with guest appearances by Carmen McRae, Louis Armstrong, Charles Mingus and Jimmy Rushing (along with two later selections that have baritonist Gerry Mulligan in altoist Paul Desmond's place), the emphasis is very much on the classic Quartet.