Customer Reviews

Back To The City

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GRANTED ; THIS IS NOT THE JAZZTET OF THE 50s. No,IT IS A NEWER VERSION. SEEMS SO SIMPLE ...THAT WAS THEN,,,,etc...
NOTHING is more MIND BOGGLING,in the quirky world of JAZZ,than the people,who continue to call themselves: "jazz purists'.
Jazz,being what IT IS,how could they even exist ?
That's Right !!! They don't.
I wasn't going to write a review ; Their concept is silly,but I read the 2 "purists,who slammed these GIANTS and had to vent.
Oh by te way : these two CDs are wonderful examples of innovative jazz,performed by TRUE ICONS.

"Back To The City" is one of two live recordings that the reunited Art Farmer/Benny Golson Jazztet made for Contemporary at the Sweet Basil in New York City in 1986. Trombonist Curtis Fuller joins Farmer on trumpet and Golson on tenor sax to complete the original Jazztet frontline. However, for these recordings the rhythm section is new -- with Mickey Tucker on piano, Ray Drummond on bass and Marvin Smith on drums. While the playing here is better than 80% of the jazz made in the 80s, it is a shadow of its former self. With so many excellent and overlooked Jazztet, Farmer and Golson recordings from the late 50s and early 60s available, one would be better served looking there first. For starters, you can check out these titles (and my reviews for them) -- Art Farmer's "Modern Art," and Benny Golson's "Groovin' with Golson," "Gettin With It" and "Gone with Golson."

The highlights of this fine CD are the compositions by Mr Golson BACK TO THE CITY, FROM DREAM TO DREAM, VAS SIMEON and WITHOUT DELAY/TIME SPEAKS. The lineup of horns flugelhorn, tenor, and trombone creates a great sound. The music was recorded at SWEET BASIL in New York in 1986 and is a worthy reprise of the original JAZZTET of Mr Farmer and Mr Golson.Don't passup this CD at this price.

"Back To The City" is one of two live recordings that the reunited Art Farmer/Benny Golson Jazztet made for Contemporary at the Sweet Basil in New York City in 1986. Trombonist Curtis Fuller joins Farmer on trumpet and Golson on tenor sax to complete the original Jazztet frontline. However, for these recordings the rhythm section is new -- with Mickey Tucker on piano, Ray Drummond on bass and Marvin Smith on drums. While the playing here is better than 80% of the jazz made in the 80s, it is a shadow of its former self. With so many excellent and overlooked Jazztet, Farmer and Golson recordings from the late 50s and early 60s available, one would be better served looking there first. For starters, you can check out these titles (and my reviews for them) -- Art Farmer's "Modern Art," and Benny Golson's "Groovin' with Golson," "Gettin With It" and "Gone with Golson."

The prior review of this cd was right on the money. Any resemblence between this quintet and what they individually and collectively did 20 years previously is coincidental. I bought this at the bargain bin, and didn't take time to listen to some of the samples. A major mistake. This cd is only good for one thing -giving jazz a bad name-. A live recording, makes me wonder if those in attendance wanted their money back. Unfortunately these ain't like old soldiers who fade away, they play their dribble right to the end.