Chet Baker - Cool Burnin' with The Chet Baker Quintet (1967) [Reissue 1999]

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Chet Baker - Cool Burnin' with The Chet Baker Quintet (1967) [Reissue 1999]

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When Chet Baker returned to the United States in 1964 after a lengthy soujourn in Europe, fans and critics alike found new strength and maturity in his playing. He had always been a sensitive musician with a warmly lyrical personality; now, the lyricism was still there, but with it there was sinew and muscle that might have been missed before. At the marathon session which produced this as well as three previous Prestige Chef Baker albums; Smokin’, Groovin’ and Comin’ On, he was in fine fettle. His front-line companion, George Coleman, is also a very melodic player, and they are well matched. And the rhythm section leaves nothing to be desired in terms of support and togetherness.
Baker plays the flugelhorn throughout, and its special qualities are well suited to his style and conception. With its larger bore and mellower sound, this increasingly popular instrument has given many trumpet players great satisfaction, in spite of the fact that it is harder to control and requires more wind than the smaller horn. Like his lyrical colleague, Art Farmer, Chet now plays the flugel exclusively, except when called upon to play in a big-band section.
The music on this album doesn't try to prove anything beyond the basic but essential point that it gives pleasure. There are no strained attempts at making those "new breakthroughs" of which certain elements in the jazz world are so enamored these days. On the other hand, the music isn't routine and self-indulgent, either. All the men know their Instruments, work at playing them well, and listen to each other.
As a result - not least because the material is mostly new and always fresh - this music has unity of purpose, and a flowing ease increasingly rare in contemporary jazz.