This Milan compilation contains the same title as photographer and filmmaker's
Bruce Weber's biopic of
Chet Baker, but this is not soundtrack to the film -- despite the fact that Milan is an RCA/BMG subsidiary. The music found on this collection dates back to the 1950s, when
Baker was first beginning his career as both a member of
Gerry Mulligan's quartet and as a solo artist. Some of the tunes here come from his Pacific Jazz period, but were recorded overseas for other labels like RCA Victor and Barclay. There are three different sets of recordings here: the later '50s period when
Baker was a solo singing star as well as a trumpeter fronting his own band, some later reunion dates with
Mulligan in a pianoless sextet, and some outtakes from his Paris period -- most of the better material has been released on Barclay already. That said, this is, despite its rather careless packaging, a perfectly enjoyable, if non-definitive presentation at
Baker during an early peak period in his career.