AMG Review of Jazz Moods: Cool

Thom Jurek
All Music Guide

This compilation is culled from Sony Legacy's CTI catalog and dates from the mid-'70s, when the perennially troubled Chet Baker was in decent shape and playing not only well, but in many cases the kind of fiery trumpet he hadn't played since he was on the Mainstream label in the late '60s. Most of these sides -- both live and in the studio -- were cut while Baker had reunited with Gerry Mulligan as well as with kindred spirits Jim Hall and Paul Desmond, who had also recorded for Creed Taylor's CTI imprint. Jazz Moods: Cool is lyrical and swinging music that gels and coasts with intense lyricism and a muscular sense of tone and timing from Baker and his compatriots.