Chet Baker - Peace (Enja, 1982)

This post is by Scott

Chet Baker (tr); David Friedman (vib, mar); Buster Williams (b); Joe Chambers (d)

Recorded on February 02, 1982

Chet Baker's discography is enormous, and the fact that archival recordings continue to be released is an indicator that he still has a significant number of followers.  Image makers and some casual listeners continue to associate Baker with the glamourous, Hollywood playboy look of his younger days—long before drug addiction had taken its toll.  But, paradoxically, as Baker's body withered from drug use, his sound continued to evolve, and the outpouring of releases in his final years often display exceptional music-making.  In fact, many listeners—including me—think he made his finest music in the last ten years or so of his life.

One of the things that makes Peace stand out among Baker's many albums is the presence of vibraphonist and marimbaist David Friedman.  Aside from his contributions as an instrumentalist, Friedman also composed four of the six cuts on the album.  All of them are excellent, serving as excellent vehicles for the LP's quiet but intense vibe.

In addition, the rhythm section is filled out by two the finest jazz musicians on their respective instruments, Buster Williams and Joe Chambers.  This top-tier band fulfills the highest of expectations.  

The superlative audio quality of the recording, typical of Enja during this time, is the icing on the cake.  

More Chet Baker

Aside from Peace, the Baker album from his final years that I return to most frequently is a live recording from the 7th Jazz Festival of Münster, West Germany titled Strollin' (Enja, 1986).  Pared down to bare essentials, Baker's band is a trio featuring two very compatible Belgian musicians: guitarist Philip Catherine and bassist Jean-Louis Rassinfosse.