AMG Review of Chet Baker and the Boto Brasilian Quartet

Ron Wynn
All Music Guide

Chet Baker's lush, often compelling trumpet solos were ably contrasted by The Boto Brasilian Quartet's light Afro-Latin backing on this date recorded in Paris. While Baker didn't play with the sweetness or harmonic flair that marked his greatest dates, he still turned in fine work on such cuts as "Balsa," "Seila," "Novos Tempos" and "Salsamba." There were elements of tango and samba throughout these cuts. The mood was light, but not overly sentimental, and both Baker and the quartet struck a balance betweeen romanticism and ardor. It's well remastered, and a good, if not spectacular, example of late-period Chet Baker.