There are three parts to this informative but incomplete documentary -it is incomplete because an authoritative history of the blue note record label would require interviews and testimonies from many more of the witnesses and participants. It is informative because it gives enough time to the interviews to be developed. In my view here are the three parts of the piece:
1. it provides a potted history of blue note, its founders, and key participants. Factually informative. I had read about the rudy van gelder studio, but this is the first time I could see it on film and that was nice.
2. around the third quarter of the movie there's an extended piece about a recording with herbie hancock and wayne shorter, which captures many insights about playing jazz, what improvization is really about, and how this is an opportunity to learn about creativity, teamwork, and leadership.
3. The last chapter of the doco connects the dots between jazz and hip-hop in a very nice way - though this was perhaps the weaker theme of the film.
Overall a very watchable and well researched piece. I recommend it highly to anyone curious about jazz, hip-hop, and how this connects to popular culture.