| Lou Takes Off | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 1958[1] | |||
| Recorded | December 15, 1957 | |||
| Studio | Van Gelder Studio Hackensack, NJ | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 38:17 | |||
| Label | Blue Note BLP 1591 | |||
| Producer | Alfred Lion | |||
| Lou Donaldson chronology | ||||
| ||||
Lou Takes Off is an album by Americanjazz saxophonistLou Donaldson recorded on December 15, 1957 and released onBlue Note the following year. The sextet features brass sectionDonald Byrd andCurtis Fuller and rhythm sectionSonny Clark,Jamil Nasser andArt Taylor.[2]
According to Donaldson, Blue Note initially didn't like any of the album, "the conga drums or the new musicians."[3]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [4] |
TheAllMusic review by Lee Bloom states, "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.[5]
All tracks are written by Lou Donaldson, except as noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sputnik" | 10:05 | |
| 2. | "Dewey Square" | Charlie Parker | 7:16 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Strollin' In" | 14:34 | |
| 2. | "Groovin' High" | Dizzy Gillespie | 6:22 |