Chet Baker Chet Is Back! (LP, 180g Vinyl)

(Speakers Corner) 8 tracks

Forty-two years ago Chet Baker, one of the tragic personalities of jazz who wore himself out and self-destructed between cool and hot, drugs and alcohol, was a tireless traveler between jazz clubs in Europe. The local rhythm groups were not always of sufficient quality. Therefore, it was logical to bring together only the best from each country for the production of a film score in Italy.

It was just as logical that the Italian subsidiary of the RCA company brought the musicians into the studio in January 1962. The eight titles are, with one exception, so-called standards. Both wind instruments demand the highest concentration from the rhythmists and at the same time a relaxed handling of the harmonic patterns. The Italian Tommasi, the Belgian Thomas, the Frenchman Quersin and the Swiss Humair deliver this with appropriate nonchalance. "These Foolish Things" and the only new composition "Ballata In Forma Di Blues" are the ballads that are interspersed, time to breathe for the listener; around it pieces in fast tempos that prove on what high standard Chet Baker and Bobby Jaspar move. In addition, "Over The Rainbow", a theme linked to another tragic figure of music history, Judy Garland. The middle section is full of pure beauty that Chet elicits from his horn.

Fortunately, these recordings from Rome in 1962 need not continue to be the preserve of sixties collectors. The re-release on LP offers the chance to listen to the excellent music and, in addition, to look at the cover, as it is almost priceless in the original.

Recording: January 1962 in Rome in mono

This Speakers Corner production was made using analog master tape and mastering 100% pure analog.