****RINGER OF THE WEEK****WHEN IT WAS HEP TO BE HIP…Chet Baker & Jack Sheldon: In Perfect Harmony-The Lost Album

Trumpet-wise, there is a nary a thumb width of difference between the two in terms of rich tone and style. Both are in love with melody and clarity, and while the two have similary vocal deliveries, there is no chance of confusing the two. They both sing together on an absolute charmer of “This Can’t Be Love” and the horns coo together on the instrumental bossa “Once I Loved”. For the rest of the standards and original blues, the two take turns playing obligatos behind the other’s vocals, and then having a chance at a solo. It works to perfection.

Baker sticks to familiar turf with “Just Friends” “But Not For Me” and “I’m Old Fashioned” with a haunting fragile voice. Sheldon is bel canto on “Historia de un Amor”, fun on “You Fascinate Me” and swinging on “Too Blue” and “Evil Blues”. Frishberg, acting out one of his hit tunes by being a perfect sideman, is as warm and breezy as a ride on PCH, with the whole album making you want to thank detective/producer Zev Feldman for finding yet another buried treasure.

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