Chet Baker – Baby Breeze

This album was recorded after Baker's trumpet was stolen and he borrowed a flugelhorn to get through the recording session. It is a well-recorded session, either way, but on a borrowed instrument it is pretty impressive the sound Baker was able to produce.

There are unique artists on this album from Kenny Burrell to Bob James and Frank Strozier to Phil Urso. Although the music is very good throughout it does lack a little in the cohesive department with songs that seem to not fit together well at times. There is a definite arrangement and general orchestration especially on side two that just feel and sound different than side one.

The 60s are not peak trumpet playing by Baker, but this album is generally strong albeit with short standards and a handful of Hal Galper originals with limited solos or areas to stretch. The highlights on this album are both found on side 1: Baby Breeze and Born to be Blue, which is a fantastic version of the song. Side two feels very abbreviated with very short standards including a sub-three minute version of The Touch of Your Lips and a more antiquated sound throughout the side.

Baker's vocals in the mid to late 50s are better than what this album has to offer and his horn playing in the mid to late 70s and on are better than recorded here as well. The two Baker albums on Limelight highlight his output in the 60s. It is not until 1974 and his CTI album She was too Good to Me does he begin to approach something closer to a peak sound and product.