Time Waits: The Amazing Bud Powell
Bud Powell · 1958
42 min · 9 tracks · jazz
Bud Powell's intricate piano melodies entwine with rhythmic sophistication, creating a vibrant tapestry of post-bop jazz innovation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Buster Rides Again — This track exemplifies Powell's dynamic interplay between melody and rhythm, showcasing his virtuosic technique and playful spirit.
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Time Waits — The title track encapsulates the essence of the album with its introspective mood and intricate harmonic structure, highlighting Powell's unique style.
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John’s Abbey — This piece features an engaging dialogue between the instruments, demonstrating Powell's ability to blend intricate melodic lines with rhythmic depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalBud Powell's intricate piano work and rhythmic sophistication mark this as a strong post-bop jazz album.
What we noticed
- Each track maintains a distinct mood while employing a consistent post-bop style, with intricate harmonies and rhythmic variations.
- The last two tracks are alternate takes of earlier pieces, which introduces slight variations in phrasing and tempo but do not significantly alter the overall feel of the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady exploration of intricate melodies
- engaging emotional piano expressions
- background warmth for focused listening
- subtle rhythmic complexity throughout
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification tracks
- prefer short, standalone pieces
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1958, 'Time Waits' came during Bud Powell's prolific period following his recovery from mental health struggles. This album marked his return to recording after a brief hiatus and showcased his continued evolution as a leading figure in the jazz world. By this time, Powell had already established himself as a pioneer of bebop, making this album significant as both a statement of resilience and artistic growth.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Thelonious Monk· Bill Evans· Oscar Peterson
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Buster Rides Again 5:32
- 2 Sub City 4:34
- 3 Time Waits 5:06
- 4 Marmalade 4:32
- 5 Monopoly 4:50
- 6 John’s Abbey 5:39
- 7 Dry Soul 6:43
- 8 Sub City (alternate master) 2:37
- 9 John’s Abbey (alternate take) 2:25
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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