Chet Baker & Art Pepper – Picture Of Heath (180g LP)

Label : Pure Pleasure / Pacific Jazz PJ-18 – 180 Gram Virgin Vinyl -5060149620168- AAA 100% Analogue Audiophile Mastering by Ray Staff at Air London Limited Edition – Pressed at Pallas Germany This LP was Remastered using Pure Analogue Components Only, from the Master Tapes through to the Cutting Head “Picture of Heath – recorded in 1956 as Playboys, then forced into a title change (Hugh Hefner threatened to sue) – finds Pepper teamed with trumpeter Chet Baker, and it’s one of those ‘West Coast’ jazz recordings that you sit back and let hit you like an ocean wave; up-tempo, fleet-fingered, straight-ahead, and swinging-till-you-drop. The artists make an appealing pair. Baker blows his trumpet with a piercing zest that will startle those who know only his warmed-over Miles-styled balladry. Pepper drapes a smooth, gorgeous tone over a jagged cadence and rhythm – holding a note for a bit too long, then jumping and zigzagging to catch up – and the tension practically crackles.” – Fred Kaplan, The Absolute Sound “…Pepper and Baker are at their best, alto sax and trumpet tightly knit in the cool-bop ensembles and offering urgent, well-argued solos…the Pure Pleasure vinyl treatment could make this one another audiophile classic.” – Steve Harris, Hi-Fi News, First released under the title “Playboys” in 1956 it was then re-released under the title “Picture Of Heath” in 1961 perhaps owing to the fact it carried the same name as a popular men’s magazine. This was the third session together of the dynamic duo of Chet Baker and Art Pepper the previous two having been unequivocal successes. Baker and Pepper have an instinctual rapport that yields outstanding interplay. These thoroughly enjoyable and often high-energy sides are perfect for bop connoisseurs as well as mainstream jazz listeners. Michael Fremer’s Heavy Rotation in Stereophile 4/5 Sound This is the same album as the famous and highly-collectable Playboys record – the one with the pinup model on the cover. However, for legal reasons, Pure Pleasure was not allowed to use that name or cover shot for this reissue. But the music remains… The seven sides that make up the all-star outing Picture of Heath (1961) might be familiar to fans of co-leads Chet Baker (trumpet) or Art Pepper (alto saxophone), as Playboys (1956). Perhaps owing to trademark-related issues with the men’s magazine of the same name, Picture of Heath became the moniker placed on the 1961 Pacific Jazz vinyl re-release,. Regardless of the designation on the label, the contents gather selections recorded on October 31, 1956 — the third encounter between Baker and Pepper. Backing Baker and Pepper are the sizable quartet of Carl Perkins (piano) [note: not to be confused with the ’50s and ’60s rockabilly star], Larance Marable (drums), Curtis Counce (bass), and Phil Urso (tenor sax). Although Pepper supplied “Minor Yours” and “Tynan Time,” the majority of the material can be traced to Heath Brothers trio member, Jimmy Heath (sax/flute), who was himself an acclaimed instrumentalist, composer, and arranger. The aggregate provide essential interpretations of his work, adding their own unique earmarks on to what is arguably the best and most playful interaction involving Baker and Pepper. Notable occurrences can be heard on “Picture of Heath” where Pepper sonically salutes Thelonious Monk, quoting recognizable passages from “Rhythm-A-Ning” on a number of occasions — initially during a fierce exchange with Baker on the title track and then again prominently in the commencement of the aforementioned Pepper composition “Tynan Time.” One of the more striking elements coalescing the partnership between the combo’s soloists is the seemingly innate abilities that Baker and Pepper share as they propel themselves through the limber lines of “For Minors Only.” The level of musicianship is evident as Counce, Perkins, and Marable effortlessly banter with youthful verve. Both the studied bop enthusiast and average jazz lover will find much to enjoy and revisit on Picture of Heath. Musicians: Chet Baker, trumpet Art Pepper, alto sax Phil Urso, tenor sax Carl Perkins, piano Curtis Counce, bass Lawerence Marable, drums Selections: 1. Picture Of Heath 2. C.T.A. 3. For Minors Only 4. Tynan Tyme 5. For Miles And Miles 6. Resonant Emotions 7. Minor-Yours October 1956