Recorded in Belgium in 1983,
Estate features
Chet Baker backed by one of his best European trios with guitarist
Philip Catherine and bassist
Jean-Louis Rassinfosse. A lithe guitarist with a sophisticated style well matched to
Baker's melodic lyricism,
Catherine is as much a featured player here as sideman. Although Great American Songbook compositions were always
Baker's preference, here he primarily eschews the Broadway canon in favor of lesser-played jazz standards including
Horace Silver's "Strollin',"
Charlie Mariano's "Crystal Bells," and
Richie Beirach's softly played tango "Leaving." Although the aforementioned tracks have been released under alternate album titles, the trio's 1985 live recording of "My Funny Valentine" is included here as an added bonus. For longtime fans,
Estate is essential latter-career
Baker.