This is the type of album that led many bop purists to criticize
the Modern Jazz Quartet (and
John Lewis in particular) for being overly influenced by Western classical music. This album has seven of
Lewis' compositions, episodic works arranged in a suite that portrays characters from a fictional Italian comedy based in the 1500s. Singer
Diahann Carroll guests fairly effectively on "La Cantatrice." Despite being tied to a story, there are some strong improvisations from pianist
Lewis and vibraphonist
Milt Jackson on this unusual material. The release is not that essential but it is quite interesting. [A Japanese version of the CD was released in 1993.] ~ Scott Yanow