Lou Takes Off is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label and performed by a sextet also featuring trumpeter Donald Byrd, trombonist Curtis Fuller, pianist Sonny Clark, bassist Jamil Nasser and drummer Art Taylor.[3] 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.[4] According to Donaldson, Blue Note initially didn't like any of the album, "the conga drums or the new musicians."[5]

Lou Takes Off
Studio album by Lou Donaldson
Released	July 1958[1]
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 (1958) Blues Walk (1958)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]

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