Inglewood Jam 1952

Spain's Fresh Sounds imprint has been stellar when it comes to reissuing little-known sessions and even unofficial ones. While it's almost always true that their production values don't add up to much, they do get out music that has been heard by all too few -- the reissue of Detroit mega-drummer Roy Brooks' great Beat date, his first as a leader, is merely one case in point. If the lack of audiophile sound is not a deterrent for you, this date featuring altoist Charlie Parker, trumpeter Chet Baker, pianist Al Haig, drummer Larance Marable, and bassist Harry Babasin might be one of those heretofore unheard gems for you. Few think of Baker as a bopper, but on this set he holds his own. His melodic sound and warm tone proved an interesting foil for Bird's high-flying wildness. The rhythm section merely plays changes, but who cares? Bird's in fine form here, still getting the quick notes and the knotty ideas flowing, and Baker counters by playing his own brand of lyrical yet very muscular bop. Three of the four selections here -- "Donna Lee," "Liza," and "The Squirrel" -- are over ten minutes in length, while "Irresistible You" is just over six. Baker's interesting counterpoint in the backdrop of George Gershwin's "Liza" is just plain wild! Bird plays it at three times the tempo, just blazing, and Baker halves his responses, filling the spaces languidly in a haunting but quite beautiful counterpoint. This is an odd mix but a compelling one, and a date worth owning for anyone interested in either artist because of its strangeness. ~ Thom Jurek|