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A TAV Curator's Pick.

Note: A 33 1/3 rpm version of this album is also available here

“Chet is back! And how. In a career filled with ups and downs, Chet Baker sounds divine on this 1962 set of bop-driven tunes and elegant standards cut in Italy after the trumpeter's two-year hiatus from recording. Reason for its superiority owes to a sextet anchored by burgeoning, young European musicians such as saxophonist Bobby Jaspar, pianist Amedeo Tommasi, guitarist Rene Thomas, and bassist Benoit Quersin.

Compositionally, ballads (including "These Foolish Things" and the only new composition, "Ballata In Forma Di Blues") are tucked in between a surfeit of engaging, uptempo pieces. Yet the most staggering revelation here, aside from the fact that, no exaggeration, Chet Is Back! might contain the "cool" musician's most gorgeous playing, is the version of "Over the Rainbow," given a reading that encapsulates the classic songs longing, hope, and beauty. Noteworthy, too, are Jaspar's statement-making performances.

Now, an even 50 years after its original release, Chet Is Back! benefits from the audiophile-quality sound it's always deserved courtesy of ORG Music and being mastered from the original analog tapes by Bernie Grundman. Few, if any, audiophile pressings of Baker’s music match the tones and timbres present on this astoundingly transparent reissue. It's what jazz is all about.” - 

“Recorded in Italy in 1962, Chet Is Back! showcases the "cool" trumpeter cutting loose on such bop-oriented workouts as "Pent-Up House" and "Well, You Needn't." Backed skillfully by a young cadre of up-and-coming European musicians, including the stellar saxophonist Bobby Jaspar, Chet Baker may have never sounded better, including on the ballads.” - AllMusic

Musicians:

• Chet Baker, trumpet, vocals
• Bobby Jaspar, flute, tenor sax
• Rene Thomas, guitar
• Daniel Humair, drums
• Benoit Quersin, bass
• Amadeo Tommasi, piano

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