Album review: Wolfgang Lackerschmid/Chet Baker - Quintet Sessions 1979.

Chet Baker (trumpet/vocal); Wolfgang Lackerschmid (vibes); Larry Coryell (guitar); Buster Williams (bass); Tony Williams (drums).

At this stage in his career Baker was probably known for all the wrong reasons rather than for his lyrical trumpet playing of some years previous. In 1979, when this album was recorded, that lyricism was still there albeit more sparse in its format. It's as if every note was carefully thought out a few bars ahead. This is minimalism at its extreme and, let me add, none the worse for that. This is what jazz is all about. Play as few or as many notes as you like as long as they're the right notes for the moment.

Album review: Chet Baker and Wolfgang Lackerschmid - Welcome Back

Chet Baker (trumpet); Wolfgang Lackerschmid (vibes); Nicola Stylo (flute, guitar tk. 8); Gunter Lenz (bass) + Rocky Knauer (bass); Peri Dos Santos (guitar); Edir Dos Santos (drums).

The third documentation of the collaboration between Baker and Lackerschmid is as delightful as the previous two releases. 

None of the three albums are groundbreaking affairs and this one, recorded less than a year before Baker's tragic death, could easily be filed away as Easy Listening.  So what's wrong with that? There are times when one just needs to relax and hear some beautifully played jazz that won't have the neighbours knocking on the wall and taking out court orders to have you evicted or certified as insane.

Album (LP) review; Wolfgang Lackerschmid & Chet Baker - ballads for two

Chet Baker (trumpet); Wolfgang Lackerschmid (vibes).

Without being drawn into the merits of vinyl over CD (and vice versa) I always feel there is something special about a vinyl album, especially the present day output such as this one by Dot Time Records and mastered by Gearbox Records, UK.

Of course, the artwork, the sleeve notes, and the production come to naught if the artists don't deliver.

Chet and Wolfgang deliver!

Best Albums of 2020 (Editor's choice)

These are some of the albums that I have enjoyed this year. They're in alphabetical order and I haven't included downloads as, Luddite that I am, to me they're too ephemeral - out of sight, out of mind,

Big Band

Kathrine Windfeld Big Band - Orca.

Maria Schneider Orchestra - Data Lords.

South Florida Jazz Orchestra - Cheap Thrills.

Vocal

Callum Au/Claire Martin - Songs and Stories.

Diana Krall - This Dream of You.

Jo Harrop/Jamie McCredie - Weathering the Storm.

Marty Elkins - 'Tis Autumn.

Royal Bopsters - Party of Four.

This year's jazz excavations

2022 has been an exceptionally good year for previously undiscovered/unreleased gems from the archives. I've listed them alphabetically and not even attempted to put them in to any kind of pecking order although I have to confess that the Pepper Adams disc is fantastic and the Ellington one somewhat disappointing.

Strangely, apart from Mingus at Ronnie's the others are all predominately piano based. Thus we have Jamal, Evans, Hawes, Brubeck, Duke, Jarrett, Peterson and Tracey. It would take a better man than me to rate them! However, there are better men than me out there so let's hear it for your archival choices.

Aycliffe Radio: Jazz Time Playlist - May 16

Acker Bilk; Wolfgang Lackerschmid/ Gunter Lenz;  MJQ + Bobby Mcferrin & Take 6; Billie Holiday; Bill Evans.

John Gomez Pick:  Charles Mingus; Oscar Peterson Trio; Cyrus Chestnut; Stanton Moore; Dave Weckl.

New Releases: Archipelago; Jonathan Karrant & Joshua White; 

Kenny G; Amy Winehouse; Tees Valley Jazzmen, Chris Barber.

Mike