Here’s a part of jazz history you may not be familiar with. Just as he was beginning to be the “new big thing” in jazz, trumpeter Chet Baker went to Germany in September 1955 with his quartet. There, he recorded some very intriguing and unique sessions with Italian vocalist Caterina Valente, who recorded much of her music there. What you have on this single disc is a mix and match of the two artists. Most interesting is the cozy and intimate duets between Caterina with her guitar and Baker blowing obligattos on “ I’ll Remember April” and “Every Time We Say Goodbye.” The rapport between these two is delightful. After that, you have a series of Valente singing with Kurt Edelhagen’s Orchestra, a band that has a swinging punch. She comes across like a gutsy Chris Connor on “I Get A Kick Out Of You” and “All Of Me,” while Chet’s cool horn melds well with the big band on “Baker ‘56” and “Isn’t It Romantic”. The disc closes with Valente with only a piano on “You Better Go Now,” confirming the adage that less is more. Baker collectors will want this one.
Fresh Sound Records