Rachel Gould Chet Baker All Blues Rar

Halema Alli

Review by Nathan BushIn 1968, having completed a five-year stint with Miles Davis, Ron Carter's career was wide open. Finding himself in typically high demand, the bassist decided not to make any long-term commitments (though he continued to join individual recording dates), opting instead to develop his solo career.

In 1971, he released Uptown Conversation (Atlantic). Shortly after, he signed to the CTI label, releasing Blues Farm in 1973. The bass is rarely found in such a prominent role, its melodic qualities typically being subordinate to rhythmic ones.

The presence of a pianist, guitarist, and two percussionists on Blues Farm frees Carter to explore both realms. Working with Davis was obviously a valuable experience. On numbers like 'Footprints' (from Miles Smiles, 1965), Carter was required to extend and compress time, a technique that is second nature to him on Blues Farm.

Dense, dexterous runs are broken up by long, bending lines and shades of blues phrasing, all executed with absolute grace. His playing becomes slightly imposing on 'Django.' While it's great to hear him lead the group on a tour through the song's shifting rhythms, the accompanists aren't allowed much space. Carter's playing is best when more deeply integrated. On the title track, he engages in a wonderful exchange with flutist Hubert Laws, with the two swapping solos back and forth.

Rachel Gould Charlie Hunnam

On 'Hymn for Him,' his probing lines enrich the song, pushing its narrative forward. The best comes last as the group rides 'R2, M1' to the album's conclusion. The song subsists largely on the group's energy (the most they display outwardly on the album) and Carter's deep, repetitious groove.

Unfortunately, great musicianship does not always make for compelling results. Blues Farm's excursions are enjoyable, but somewhat reserved. Both the compositions and performances avoid strong emotions in favor of pleasing palettes of color and texture. The early-'70s production values only enhance this by softening the bed of musical tones.

Chet Baker 24 Bit Vinyl PackGenre: JazzStyles: Cool, Vocal Jazz, Jazz Instrument, Trumpet JazzSource: vinylCodec: FLACBitrate: 2,900 kbpsBit Depth: 24Sample Rate: 96 KHzAlbums:1966 Groovin’ with the Chet Baker Quintet – Prestige PRT 7460 (US)1975 Gerry Mulligan & Chet Baker – Carnegie Hall ConcertVols 1 and 2, (USA, Germany)1979 Rachel Gould & Chet Baker – All Blues – Bingow BGW 03 (France)1979 The Touch of Your Lips – SteepleChase SCS 1122 (Denmark)1979 Chet Baker & Wolfgang Lackerschmid – Ballads for TwoSandra SMP 2102 (Orig. Germany)1981 Broken Wing – Inner City IC 11201982 Peace – ENJA enja 4016 (Orig. Germany)2005 Chet Is Back – RCA PML 10307 (Germany)Chet Baker was a primary exponent of the West Coast school of cool jazz in the early and mid-’50s. As a trumpeter, he had a generally restrained, intimate playing style and he attracted attention beyond jazz for his photogenic looks and singing. But his career was marred by drug addiction.Download:or.