WNTS France Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Chet Baker's Round Midnight 79 is a captivating live studio album that showcases his exceptional talent as a jazz trumpeter and song arranger. Recorded in one take with no overdubs, the album captures the raw energy and intimacy of a live performance. Baker's trumpet playing is both sultry and expressive, particularly on tracks like 'What's New?'. Accompanied by Rachel Gould's cabaret-style singing on 'All Blues', adds a unique touch to the album. The supporting musicians, including Henry Florens on piano, Jean-Paul Florens on guitar, Jim Richardson on bass, and Tony Mann on drums, provide a solid foundation for Baker's improvisations. Together, they create a cohesive and captivating soundscape that transports listeners to a smoky jazz club. It is a timeless album that continues to captivate and inspire listeners to this day.

Review: Paris, with its timeless allure, has long been a haven for jazz musicians from around the world and as the spiritual home of gypsy jazz, its vibrant clubs and cafes have shaped the genre's history and many Parisian jazz pioneers of the early 20th century began in the city's Bals-musette where they perfected their craft. Django Reinhardt rose to fame in Paris alongside Stephane Grappelli in the Quintette du Hot Club de France during the 1930s and 1940s while bands like those of Alex Renard and Claude Bolling thrived. Post-war, Saint-Germain des Pres and the Latin Quarter buzzed with iconic jazz clubs like Tabou and La Rose Rouge and now all that can be relived with this fantastic reissue.