Chet Baker - Early Chet: Lost Tapes (2013/2018) [DSD128 + Hi-Res FLAC]

"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".

This amazing collection of rarely heard recordings made by Chet Baker in Germany during the period 1955-59. Although not properly unissued, these tracks have been long unavailable and this is the first time ever they have been put together.

As trumpeter in the Gerry Mulligan Quartet, Chet Baker had first played his way into the hearts of fans in 1952 with lyrical ballads and a soothing tone. He gained fame seemingly overnight and in 1954 was voted best trumpeter by readers of the leading US jazz magazines – ahead of Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis. The gentle poet of the trumpet – that was his image. So it came as something of a surprise for European audiences to hear the Chet Baker they discovered at his live concerts: a trumpeter with a decisive attacca style and lively boppy lines, accompanied by a pianist who combined innovative harmonies with bizarre rhythms and a drummer who propelled the band with a hard, driving beat. No one was prepared for this Chet Baker Quartet, featuring pianist Dick Twardzik, bassist Jimmy Bond and drummer Peter Littman. “Bockhanal” is the earliest number on Early Chet and a particularly valuable rarity: just four weeks after this concert, the quartet no longer existed. Aged just 24, the pianist Dick Twardzik died a drug overdose in Paris on 21 October 1955. Chet Baker continued his European tour with a variety of accompanying musicians. And every so often as a soloist. He was also a welcome guest of Joachim-Ernst Berendt, who would invite Baker on two further occasions to Baden-Baden to record with the Kurt Edelhagen Orchestra. The idea of recording singer Caterina Valente in duet with Chet Baker was also ahead of its time: “I'll Remember April” and “Every Time We Say Goodbye”. “Just Caterina and Chet – no one else. A meeting of ultimate refinement and ultimate simplicity,” wrote Joachim-Ernst Berendt. In these intimate duets, Chet Baker plays trumpet as only he knows how: delicate, melodic, supple. In July 1959 he headed back to Europe and returned to Baden-Baden as well. This time he made recordings with the Rolf-Hans Müller Orchestra. Particularly convincing are his performances in “Polka Dots and Moonbeams”. And in “Autumn in New York” he coolly rubs against the grain. In a spontaneous final cadence, "Early Chet" sets out his personal agenda: to communicate real depth using few notes.

Tracklist:

01 - It Never Entered My Mind
02 - Autumn in New York
03 - I'll Remember April
04 - Everytime We Say Goodbye
05 - I Should Care
06 - Lover: Love me Tonight: Isn't It Romantic
07 - Polka Dots and Moonbeams
08 - Everything Happens To Me
09 - Baker '56
10 - Lullaby in Rhythm
11 - Bockhanal

Musicians:
Chet Baker - trumpet
Dick Twardzik - piano
Jimmy Bond - bass
Peter Littman - drums
Caterina Valente - vocal & guitar ("3 & 4")
Orchester Kurt Edelhagen
Tanzorchester des Südwestfunks, conducted by Rolf-Hans Müller

Original Recordings Produced by Joachim-Ernst Berendt.
Recorded: "1" - Jazztime Mainz, Kurfürstliches Schloss on September 20, 1955.
"2-11" - Studio Recordings SWF Baden-Baden on March 26, 1956 / March 29, 1956 / September 2, 1959.
2xHD Mastering by: René Laflamme. 2xHD Executive Producer: André Perry.

In the constant evolution of its proprietary mastering process, 2xHD has progressed to a new phase called 2xHD FUSION, integrating the finest analog, with state-of-the-art digital technology.

The mastering chain consists of a selection of high-end vacuum tube equipment. For the recordings on this album, the original ¼” 15 ips CCIR master tapes were played on a Nagra-T tape recorder, modified with high-end tube playback electronics, wired with OCC silver cable from the playback head direct to a Nick Doshi tube head preamplifier. The Nagra T, with its four direct drive motors, two pinch rollers and a tape tension head, has one of the best transports ever made. A custom-built carbon fiber head block and a head damping electronic system permit 2xHD FUSION to obtain a better resolution and 3D imaging.

The resulting signal is then transferred into high resolution formats by recording it in DSD 11.2 MHz using a Merging Technologies’ Horus A to D converter. All analog and digital cables that are used are state of the art. The 2xHD FUSION mastering system is powered by a super capacitor power supply, using a new technology that lowers the digital noise found in the lowest level of the spectrum. A vacuum tube NAGRA HDdac (DSD) is used as a reference digital playback converter in order to A and B with the original analog master tape, permitting the fusion of the warmth of analog with the refinement of digital.

Thanks to the Original customer!