Negative Positive
Title: jazz loft
Review: This two-disc set features Zoot Sims on several occasions (most from a Christmas Eve, 1959 session) and Bob Brookmeyer with Jim Hall and Jimmy Raney (two sessions)at jam sessions recorded at artist David Young's loft in the flower district of Manhattan during the great flourishing of modern jazz in New York, 1955-1965. Sims, who thrived in this sort of informal environment, is wonderful throughout. Hall and Raney, especially on "Spuds," create some very exciting interplay. Brookmeyer (the notes hedge on his identity, but I think they are correct) has a wonderfully sui generis piano solo on one of the tracks featuring Zoot. Excellent reproductions of some of Young's paintings, some great photographs taken at these sessions, and some funny reminiscences from the participants. Howard Mandel's intro, though, is a rehash of the usual cliches about the 50s. I hope we get to hear more from these sessions.
Is the review positive or negative? 