Chet on fluegelhorn in five splendid albums from the 60's
Jazzcat | Genoa, Italy Italy | 08/13/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"My review is about all the following sixties Prestige albums from Chet Baker: Boppin', Groovin', Comin' on, Smokin' and Cool Burnin'. The reason why I review them alltogether is because they form an unicum. The line up is the same in all the recordings, the period is the same (between 65 and 67) and the project by the way is the same. The idea to mimicking the titles of the Miles Davis albums from the same period (such as Relaxin', Workin', Steamin' etc) is clearly evident. But the music contained in these five albums is really great, certainly not a bad copy of Miles's music. Chet in this period played to me some of his best Jazz for sure. He was already a mature soloist, not the young talent which came out of nowhere that ruined himself in the fifties. I mean that these discs are very consistent and his playing more deep than how it was in the fifties Pacific recordings (even if they're great in their own right too). Here (luckily for me!!) you don't find the Chet Baker softer singer that so many girls like! Here you'll find Chet the musician, the Jazzcat, the cool white bopper and it's a delight! By the way here he was not too much ethereal like in some of his later recordings when he was too much destroyed by the heroin. Here he really is the best musician he has ever been. He choose here to play the fluegelhorn not the trumpet and in my opinion this has been a very good choice. His sound is simply phenomenal!! He plays here fluenty and boppish with a majestic sound, elegant and sweet. These albums are some of the best music from Chet absolutly. Chet is accompanied here by a very talented team, the Kirk Lightsey trio plus George Coleman as the second horn. And the overall sound the combo produce is splendid. The program is very interesting too, a lot of originals and standards, with ballads and swingers. I have bought these albums in one single shot and I'm really glad I did. The only complaint is the package. I don't like the paper covers. I prefer the magic boxes but unfortunatly they have been rereleased only in this shape. =(( Anyway, the music is splendid, splendid Jazz that I'd suggest to everyone, the Jazz connossoir and the newcomer. Believe me. Man, Chet's sound on fluegelhorn is fantastic... Buy them, you will be VERY happy.
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Track Listings (6) - Disc #1