Stella by Starlight

Chet Baker - Stella By Starlight (1964) {West Wind 2033 rel 1989}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 135 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 96 Mb | Artwork | 5% repair rar
© 1964, 1989 West Wind | 2033
Jazz / Bop / Cool / Trumpet

Recorded 1964 in Rome, Italy. Baker earned much attention and critical praise through the 1950s, particularly for albums featuring his vocals (Chet Baker Sings, It Could Happen to You). Jazz historian Dave Gelly described the promise of Baker's early career as "James Dean, Sinatra, and Bix, rolled into one." His well-publicized drug habit also drove his notoriety and fame; Baker was in and out of jail frequently before enjoying a career resurgence in the late 1970s and '80s.

Like so many contemporary official soundtrack releases, Evening brings together the film's original score with a batch of familiar period pop hits – unlike most soundtracks, the two disparate halves prove surprisingly complementary, each capturing the film's romantic intimacy without sentimentality or mawkishness. Composer Jan A.P. Kaczmarek's score returns to his signature piano and strings, but he exhibits an uncommon restraint and subtlety here that allows his lovely melodies room to breathe. This is music that arrives by its sophistication naturally, favoring nuance over Sturm und Drang. No less compelling are contributions like Peggy Lee's "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You" and Sarah Vaughan's "Stairway to the Stars," which further underscore the maturity and elegance of the cumulative listening experience.

Three Blind Mice revitalized the Japanese jazz scene during the 1970s and 1980s. Its initial mission was to proactively produce albums of new musicians. Another goal was to expand its fan base, which was done by releasing albums of famous musicians. Through these efforts, TBM has greatly contributed to enriching the Japanese jazz scene. Tsuyoshi Yamamoto and Isao Suzuki were two of the leading figures who gained prominence by their works on TBM. Yamamoto quickly became a star in the Japanese jazz scene by releasing a series of excellent albums on the label.