What makes Take Ten by Paul Desmond notable?

Take Ten is notable for featuring the hit single 'Take Ten', which contributed to Desmond's growing popularity and showcased his distinctive style to a wider audience. The album received positive critical acclaim, reinforcing Desmond's reputation as a leading voice in jazz during the early 1960s. Released in 1963, Take Ten marks Paul Desmond's second album as a leader, following the success of his collaboration on Dave Brubeck's Time Out. At this point in his career, Desmond was gaining recognition for his smooth tone and innovative improvisations, solidifying his place in the jazz landscape.

How many songs are on Take Ten?

Take Ten has 11 tracks, running approximately 55 minutes.

Take Ten

Paul Desmond · 1963

55 min · 11 tracks · jazz

Lush melodies intertwine with intricate harmonies, showcasing Desmond's signature alto saxophone in a vibrant jazz setting.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Take Ten — The title track encapsulates Desmond's melodic sensibilities and features captivating improvisation that exemplifies his lyrical saxophone playing.
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Alone Together — This track highlights Desmond's ability to convey deep emotion through intricate phrasing and rich tonal colors, making it a standout moment on the album.
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The Theme From Black Orpheus — Desmond's interpretation adds a fresh jazz perspective to this classic tune, blending Brazilian rhythms with his smooth saxophone lines.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

Desmond's smooth melodies and intricate harmonies create a distinctive jazz sound, though the album's cohesion dips with alternate takes.

What we noticed

Each piece features Desmond's alto saxophone prominently, often accompanied by lush piano and subtle rhythm sections.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Alone Together

The bridge shifts in tone as the music builds, creating an introspective atmosphere before returning to its original melody.

This structural choice enhances the emotional weight of the song, allowing listeners to experience a moment of reflection amidst the flowing melodies.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Take Ten 3:11
2 El Prince 3:38
3 Alone Together 6:52
4 Embarcadero 4:07
5 The Theme From Black Orpheus 4:14
6 Nancy 6:05
7 Samba de Orpheu 4:29
8 The One I Love Belongs to Somebody Else 5:53
9 Out of Nowhere 6:48
10 Embarcadero (alternate take) 4:57
11 El Prince (alternate take) 5:35

What to play next

Listen next

Bossa Antigua

1965

Go back to

Desmond Blue

1962

Full Paul Desmond discography Artists like Paul Desmond

jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata