Chet Baker

Chet Baker – Supreme Jazz (2006)
SACD Rip | SACD ISO | DST64 2.0 & 5.1 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 63:06 minutes | Front/Rear Covers | 3,6 GB
or FLAC 2.0 Stereo (converted with foobar2000 to tracks) 24bit/88,2 kHz | Front/Rear Covers | 1,16 GB
Features Stereo and Multichannel Surround Sound | Membran Music # 223255

Chesney Henry “Chet” Baker Jr. was an American jazz trumpeter and vocalist. Baker earned much attention and critical praise through the 1950s, particularly for albums featuring his vocals (Chet Baker Sings, It Could Happen to You). Jazz historian Dave Gelly described the promise of Baker’s early career as “James Dean, Sinatra, and Bix, rolled into one”. His well-publicized drug habit also drove his notoriety and fame. Baker was in and out of jail frequently before enjoying a career resurgence in the late 1970s and ’80s.

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Chet Baker – Chet Baker In New York (1958) [Reissue 2004]
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DSD64 2.0 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 51:02 minutes | Scans included | 2,07 GB
or FLAC(converted with foobar2000 to tracks) 24bit/88,2 kHz | Scans included | 1,01 GB

Chet Baker’s West Coast cool comes to the Big Apple on Chet Baker in New York. The project would be Baker’s first — in a four album deal — with the Big Apple-based Riverside Records. The bicoastal artist incorporates his decidedly undernourished sound and laid-back phrasing into the styling of Al Haig (piano), Johnny Griffin (tenor sax), Paul Chambers (bass), and Philly Joe Jones (drums). The results are uniformly brilliant as Baker’s cool-toned solos fly and bop with authority around the equally impressive supporting soloists. Conversely, the same cohesive unity continues on the introspective numbers that are more akin to Baker’s California cool. Undoubtedly one of the charms of this collection is the distinct choice of material. Running the gamut from the relaxed and soothing “Polka Dots and Moonbeams” and equally serene “Blue Thoughts” at one end of the spectrum to the percolating and driving intensity of “Hotel 49″ on the other. This track features each quintet member taking extended solos corralling together at the head and again at the coda for some intense bop interaction. Especially ferocious is Philly Joe Jones, who could easily be mistaken for Keith Moon, Ginger Baker, or even Gene Krupa with his cacophonous solo that never strays from the beat or loses its sense of swing. Perhaps the best meshing of styles can be heard on the Miles Davis composition “Solar.” This “best-of” candidate refers to both Chambers’ and Jones’ concurrent involvement with Davis. The churning backbeat likewise propels the melody and ultimately the performers into reaching beyond their individual expertise and into an area of mutual brilliance. Chet Baker in New York is a highly recommended entry into Baker’s catalog. It should also be noted that these same sides were issued in 1967 as Polka Dots and Moonbeams on the Jazzland label.

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Chet Baker – Chet (1959) [Analogue Productions’ Remaster 2002]
PS3 Rip | ISO | SACD DSD64 2.0 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 50:57 minutes | Scans included | 2,35 GB
or FLAC(converted with foobar2000 to tracks) 24bit/88,2 kHz | Scans included | 997 MB

Few figures in jazz history have been able to extract as much feeling from a ballad as Chet Baker. Despite his lack of formal training, he was capable of burrowing deep inside the most sophisticated popular songs and tapping a vein of pure emotion. When surrounded by great musicians in an unusual ensemble, as he is on this album, Baker’s poetic instincts were at their keenest. The distinctive septet of jazz giants contains a front line of trumpet, flute, and baritone sax playing Herbie Mann’s delicate arrangements over a rhythm section that is empathy personified. Baker never recorded with a more talented or sensitive group, as the music evokes a mood captured so seductively in the cover photo.

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Chet Baker – Baker’s Holiday (1965) [Verve’s Reissue 2004]
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DSD64 2.0 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 31:56 minutes | Scans included | 1,01 GB
or FLAC(converted with foobar2000 to tracks) 24bit/88,2 kHz | Scans included | 641 MB

Baker’s Holiday finds Chet Baker effectively paying tribute to Billie Holiday with mellow trumpet solos and occasional vocals. Baker is backed by a full sax section and a four-piece rhythm section that includes pianist Hank Jones; Jimmy Mundy contributed the colorful arrangements. His performance of ten songs associated with Lady Day (most of which he had not recorded previously) is often exquisite.

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Chet Baker – She Was Too Good to Me (1974/2013)
DSF Stereo DSD64/2.82MHz | Time – 36:12 minutes | 1,43 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download – Source: e-Onkyo | Front Cover |  © CTI Records

Chet Baker was one of the most important representatives of the West Coast Cool Jazz movement. His heroin addiction is well documented with his exploits and misadventures wrapped in legendary anecdotes, but thankfully his life story never managed to overshadow his unmistakable talent. Chet Baker has one of the most recognisable sounds of all the jazz musicians in the cannon; his trumpet playing is intimate, simple and delicate with a hint of melancholy that tears at the heartstrings.

She Was Too Good To Me was released in 1974 on Creed Taylor’s CTI label after a 4 year absence from the scene. And what a comeback: excellent vocal Cool Jazz tunes are interlude with instrumental goodness from the undisputed master of the trumpet.

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Chet Baker – Early Chet: Lost Tapes (2013/2018)
DSD128 (.dsf) 1 bit/5,6 MHz | Time – 35:34 minutes | 2,81 GB
FLAC (tracks) 24-bit/88,2 kHz | Time – 35:34 minutes | 609 MB
Studio Master, Official Digital Download | Source: HDTracks | Booklet, Front Cover | Genre: Jazz | ©2xHD

“Early Chet” compiles tracks jazz trumpeter Chet Baker recorded while on tour in the mid- and late ’50s. These tracks were made at the height of Baker’s popularity and showcase him in fine form throughout. Featured here are several (rare for Baker) big-band numbers, as well as two superb duets with Italian vocalist/guitarist Caterina Valente, “I Remember April” and “Everytime We Say Goodbye”.

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