Chet Baker, Swimming By Moonlight. Slow Down Sounds (33 RPM)
My father was a big Chet Baker fan. I remember that he had several of the essentials including Chet, Chet Baker & Strings, Chet Baker & Art Pepper – Picture of Health, and Chet Baker Plays The Best of Lerner And Loewe. I also remember asking him once in my younger years and as a then jazz novice, why did Chet Baker and his music sound so different from that of Miles Davis? His response was fairly simple and logical. Each was clearly from a different background and life experience while growing up, which probably resulted in a different set of influences and musical philosophies.
Chet was more rooted in a west coast cool jazz style with a very delicate tone and a wonderful emphasis on melody. Miles seemed to focus more on innovation, improvisation, and change. Even beyond their skills as musicians, both were band leaders and composers, but to different degrees of success. Even today, this description is fairly appropriate, though some might argue over simplified. Both were extremely complicated individuals with interesting if not tragic life stories. For more detail and nuance, its well worth checking out the many available documentaries and books on each! I highly recommend James Gavin's "Deep in a Dream: The Long Night of Chet Baker," and "Ian Carr's Miles Davis: The Definitive Biography."
Why do I mention Miles Davis in this Chet Baker review? Well, they were constantly compared during their careers and lifetime, and probably unfairly from both perspectives. Based on feedback from my readers, audio buds, and family members, Chet seems to be making a significant serge forward in popularity as more and more folks discover him. Even some of those that are so dedicated to the Miles Davis iconic legacy and catalog, are now beginning to appreciate Chet Baker more and more!
Swimming By Moonlight is a new Chet Baker album that consists of previously unreleased material recorded near the end of his life. Based on the soundtrack for the Oscar nominated 1988 documentary "Let's Get Lost," this 2LP release was curated by the renowned photographer and filmmaker Bruce Weber, and produced by the acclaimed jazz musician, composer and audio engineer, John Leftwich. During this period and in conjunction with the development of the documentary, Chet performed live in Cannes, France and recorded several sessions at the Studio Davout in Paris, and the Sage & Sound Studio in Hollywood. The final result is a wondrous combination of several intimate studio sessions alongside some extremely exciting if not highly energized live performances. This was especially interesting considering the physical and mental roller coaster ride that Chet was on during that time in his life and career.
Packaging
For your $50, you get something very special here, even beyond the excellent performances and sound quality. This two LP release was mastered by Levi Seitz at Black Mastering from 48kHz/24-bit files that were transferred from the original analog tapes. Pressed at RTI on 180 gram Neotech VR100 premium vinyl, you also get a heavy weight tip-on double gatefold jacket manufactured by Stoughton Printing. Virtually every audiophile check box has been checked! The icing on the cake is the "Remembering Chet" essay, written by Bruce Weber, Nan Bush, and John Leftwich. I found its inclusion to be uniquely informative and entertaining, especially for a release in this price category!
Music and Sound Quality
Again, despite his age and lifelong challenges, Chet seems to be fully galvanized during these recordings. Possibly he was inspired by the motivation and encouragement provided by Bruce Weber, John Leftwich, and the documentary itself. Possibly it was the support provided by the many highly talented musicians that were involved with these sessions. Depending on the performance, band members include the following: Chet Baker (trumpet and vocals), Frank Strazzeri (piano), Rique Pantoja (piano), Hubert Laws (flute), Nicola Stilo (flute), Ricardo Silveira (guitar), John Leftwich (bass), Sizao Machado (bass), Ralph Penland (drums), Bob Wyatt (drums), and Chris Wabich (percussion).
From a band perspective, the presentation of the various instruments are nicely spaced and defined, with an impressive and expansive soundstage. There is a sense of immediacy and resolution that puts some of Chet Baker's many current reissues to shame. Tone and timbre are spot on, with an air and openness that will quickly pull you into the music and make you swoon. Dare I say this is one of his best sounding new releases of 2025, and based on 37 year old recordings! This is truly an audiophile pressing!
Known for his charming and tender vocals, Chet does not fail us here. You can sense his age and his many trials and tribulations as the emotion clearly shines through. His trumpet is beautifully recorded with all the burnish and brass of the real thing. Soft, breathy, and often with a minimalist tone, you really get an appreciation and strong connection from each and every rendition.
The standards are the highlights of the album, including Irving Berlin's, "Remember," Alec Wilder's "I'll Be Around," and Jobim's "Quiet Nights." We also have several interesting interpretations from tracks written by Miles Davis ("Milestones") and Elvis Costello ("Almost Blue"). One of my favorite tracks is Chet's reading of the poem "Deep in a Dream of You." Almost incandescent, the passion and sentiment virtually drips from the vinyl grooves.
I dim all the lights and I sink in my chair
The smoke from my cigarette climbs through the air
The walls of my room fade away in the blue
And I'm deep in a dream of you
The smoke makes a stairway for you to descend
You come to my arms, may this bliss never end
For we love anew just as we used to do
When I'm deep in a dream of you
Final Thoughts
I have all the Chet Baker titles mentioned earlier, and a few more, though all are audiophile reissues. Sadly, I never had the chance to compare my father's OG's to the reissues, but the sound quality of those OG's are still quite memorable. I will never forget those Sunday mornings listing to music with my father on his Heathkit amps and AR speakers! And of course, the performances are all simply amazing regardless of the pressing. With that perspective in mind, this new release of Swimming By Moonlight, might just be my favorite. My bet is that both the long term loyal fans of Chet Baker and those who are now just coming on board, will find this album to be a must have purchase—it's that good! Congrats to Bruce Weber, John Leftwich, Tom Grover Biery and the entire team over at Slow Down Sounds! Highly recommended!
Slow Down Sounds
