The title chosen for this release,
Utopia, is a bit of an exaggeration. The source of this 1978 Warsaw concert by
Stan Getz seems to be a radio broadcast, and since it appears on the defunct West Wind label, it is a safe bet that no royalties were paid to anyone on the date. In spite of the presence of valve trombonist
Bob Brookmeyer and pianist
Andy LaVerne in the sextet, the somewhat unbalanced sound (the rhythm section is heard far better than the horn soloists) and the seeming lack of rehearsal at times make this set somewhat of a disappointment.
Getz and
Brookmeyer are in great form, while the band as a whole sounds better on a pair of
Wayne Shorter tunes ("Lester Left Town" and "Infant Eyes") and the standard "Willow Weep for Me" than on more contemporary material by
LaVerne ("Utopia" or the plodding Latin-flavored "Jet Lag") or
Ralph Towner's "Raven's Wood." This run-of-the-mill bootleg will doubtlessly reappear on another fly-by-night European label if hardcore
Getz fans are unable to locate this edition. Three additional tracks from this concert that are not available on this release appear on the Poljazz LP Academy of Jazz. ~ Ken Dryden