Great bop from Jutta and Zoot.
Robert Bezimienny | Sydney, NSW Australia | 05/26/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great album. Alongside Jutta Hipp, there is Zoot Sims on tenor, Jerry Lloyd on trumpet, Ahmed Abdul-Malik on bass, and Ed Thigpen on drum. Zoot is a bit of a stand-out, his sax really lifting the tracks into sustained grooves. Jerry Lloyd doesn't really compare with any of the great trumpeters, and the liner notes point out that he had in fact taken a break from jazz, being obliged to drive taxi cabs for a living - still he gets into the spirit of things and has an unusual fragile tone. The rhythm section keep things tight and in motion. Jutta herself is inventive and right on the money, although not as dominant as you might expect given her billing as session leader. The rendition of Jay Jay Johnson's 'Wee Dot' is particularly good - nice to hear it against the burning version on Art Blakey's 'Night at Birdland, Volume 2'.
*
This record was recommended to me as the best of Jutta Hipp's recordings - it's certainly very good, and if you're already a fan of Zoot Sims then I'd definitely snap it up. It's was recorded in the studio in 1956, so it's mono, and the 24bit remaster is excellent."
Obscure genius
Matthew A. Cohen | Honolulu HI | 11/12/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Amazing. Beutiful Transcendent. Mellow and spacious. Bound to be one of your favorites if you enjoy piano jazz. Perfect for mellow gatherings, dinner, long car rides, napping, romancing and housework. All instrumental."
Hip Hipp ! (yes, but Zoot is the star here!!)
Jazzcat | Genoa, Italy Italy | 07/28/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Hi guys, here I am back to the good ol' records from the fifties! Another gem for sure. A really hip record is this one from the pianist Jutta Hipp (she's a girl right). It's a record that I would strongly suggest to my best friends here on Amazon, such as Joey and all the other guys that follow my reviews (thanks for your interest and trust guys!). It's from 1956 and it starts with a very nice fast - relaxed blues, with a swing that will shake your stereo system. Noone can record stuff this good anymore. Zoot is in top form here blowing one cool chorus after another. A fantastic ballad is the second tune, "Violets for your furs". Exceptional... so lovely. Jutta plays simple piano, she's not particular into chops. She plays lightly and melodic ... nothing special in a sense, but she delivers. Jerry Lloyd the trumpet player is not a star, .. he plays a side role here, ... he doesn't add a lot to be honest. Here the star to me is absolutly Zoot (over Jutta herself .. even if I appreciate her contribution here) which plays magnificient lines, fluid, melodic and always interesting and meaningful. The third tune "Down Home" is a fast swinger, an hard bop tune extremely beautiful. Zoot again, plays here some of his best music. He's so fluid and melodic he seems Getz at some point (which to me is the ultimate compliment!). Phenomenal. The standard "Almost like being in love" is taken mid tempo, and Zoot again shines. This was his date. "Wee dot" is a boppish blues that is totally infectious. "Too close for comfort" is again taken mid tempo. Ballad time comes again with "These foolish thing" the President Ballad. Zoot as a Young alumni, chose to measure himself with the master and the result are pleasing. This splendid album closes with fireworks, it's time for another fast tune, "Too close for comfort", again Zoot flies very high, extremely fluid and melodic. An exceptional album that you my jazzbrothers, all would love to own believe me. Cheers"
Track Listings (6) - Disc #1