One of my biggest musical regrets is that passed on my chances to see Chet Baker in the late 70s and early 80s. I figured, “C’mon-he’s totally fried and past his prime” as I thought his chops were long gone. Boy did I miss out, as this 1979 session attests.
First, he’s with an all star team with Tony Williams/dr, Buster Williams/b, Larry Coryell/g and co-leader and vibist Wolfgang Lackerschmid. Baker’s horn is drop dead gorgeous and lyrical, wonderfully lyrical on Tony Williams’ the gently swinging “Mr. Biko” and dancing on a 5/4 cadence with Lackerschmid on “Rue Gregoire Du Tour”. Williams and Coryell get bluesy on the bopping “Toku Do” and Baker does some sublime scat after a hip bass line introducing “Balzwaltz”. There are a couple extra takes, and the team is in a cool frame of mind. Look for this one!