# CD review: Wolfgang Lackerschmid & Chet Baker – Quintet Sessions 1979 – 2020: Video, CD cover

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2020/11/15/cd-review-wolfgang-lackerschmid-chet-baker-quintet-sessions-1979-2020-video-cd-cover/
- Published: 2020-11-15T14:31:51+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**Dot Time Records is thrilled to announce the November 13th release (CD/digital)
of _Lackerschmid/Baker: Quintet Session__ 1979_ (vinyl release: January 8th, 2020)._‘
Quintet Session’_ is the follow-up to Dot Time’s critically acclaimed re-release
of Wolfgang Lackerschmid and Chet Baker’s _Ballads For Two. _**

A continuation of Lackerschmid’s great adventure with one of the most prodigious
trumpet players in the history of the art form, the album features the spirited 
duo of iconic trumpeter and vocalist Chet Baker and vibraphonist Wolfgang Lackerschmid
alongside a stellar rhythm section made up of jazz luminaries Larry Coryell (guitar),
Buster Williams (bass) and Tony Williams (drums).

The archival vaults have been reopened by Dot Time Records after the widespread 
success of Wolfgang Lackerschmid and Chet Baker’s _Ballads For Two.  JazzTimes _noted“
Serenity permeates [_Ballads For Two_], a serenity born of internal logic that feels
both welcome and foreign”.  _Quintet Session _offers a distinctly different lens
through which to hear these fine musicians coalesce.  With two tracks that have 
never been publicly released and a unique CD/Vinyl package presentation, this material
displays the stunning musicianship and compositional prowess that each of these 
five leaders have along with their instruments.

The year was 1979, Lackerschmid and Baker had traveled by train and ferry from Norway
to Austria to perform at a festival engagement following the success of the limited
release of _Ballads for Two_.  Following a particularly memorable duo performance,
guitarist Larry Coryell came backstage with tears in his eyes.  Moved by the performance,
he remarked that he would love to join the duo some time.  Baker’s agent picked 
up on this right away, suggesting that the three artists do a record together with
a rhythm section.  This suggestion was met with a gruff response from Baker: “We
don’t need no rhythm section.”  Lackerschmid followed up remarking, in a half-joking
fashion, that the only rhythm section players that he would trust on the project
both have the last name “Williams”.  Some weeks later, Lackerschmid received a call
from Chet’s agent stating “Buster and Tony are excited to play at this recording
session.”  Thus an off-the-cuff comment sparked the collaboration between five of
the most impactful musicians in the jazz idiom.

Larry, Buster and Tony eagerly arrived in Stuttgart for the recording session, each
with compositions of their own.  _‘Quintet Session’ _starts full-swing with Tony
Williams’ “Mr. Biko”.  Lackerschmid notes “[the tune] created a great atmosphere
with various colors, connecting the different musical flavors of the players in 
a very elegant way.”  Coryell, Baker, Lackerschmid and Buster Williams all bring
something unique and powerful to the piece during inspired improvisational segments.
Lackerschmid’s “Balzwalz” brings the ensemble to full-swing.  “Balzen” is the German
expression for courtship, which could explain the nearly-imposing bassline from 
Buster Williams and the passionate bluesy playing from guitarist Larry Coryell leading
to an instinctual growl from the rhythm section (at the 1:40 mark).  Baker’s voice
and melodic acuity sounds in wonderful form scatting over the tune’s changes.  On
an alternate take, which is included in this CD/Vinyl package, you can hear Chet
playing trumpet beautifully over the changes instead of scatting.

Coryell brought in “The Latin One”, a bright-tempoed Latin inspired piece of his
pen.  During his solo, the guitarist decided to switch to another piece he had written“
Rue Gregoire Du Tour”.  Lackerschmid notes “because the mood of “The Latin One” 
had started out so nice, we kept those two minutes and faded at Larry’s solo before
he stopped.”  Baker shines on “Rue Gregoire Du Tour” delivering a virtuosic solo
wrought with melodic intrigue.  The album concludes with an energetic blues “Toku
Du”.  Baker and Coryell demonstrate their bop vocabulary and marvelous time feel
over Tony Williams’ primordial, synaptic rhythmic underpinnings.  Buster Williams
delivers several lively choruses before Lackerschmid closes the tune out with some
marvelous, soulful melodic invention, accompanied ardently by Coryell.

Forty years after the remarkable recording session that spawned this release, Dot
Time Records’ Legends Series is ecstatic to offer audiences another snapshot of 
the vitality of the jazz scene of yesteryear with this stunning document of a coalescence
of five icons that shaped the jazz idiom over the course of their extensive careers.

1.Mr. Biko 09:05
 2.Balzwaltz 06:46 3.The Latin One 02:24 4.Rue Gregoire Du Tour
06:31 5.Here’s That Rainy Day 04:15 6.Toku Du 06:28 7.Balzwaltz Alternate Take 05:
19 8.Rue Gregoire Du Tour (Rehearsal Take) 03:58

**WOLFGANG LACKERSCHMID – Vibraphone**
 **CHET BAKER – Trumpet, Vocals (2)** **LARRY
CORYELL – Guitar** **BUSTER WILLIAMS – Bass** **TONY WILLIAMS – Drums**

![NEW RELEASE: Chet Baker & Wolfgang Lackerschmid’s QUINTET SESSION out 11/13/20
via Dot Time](https://i0.wp.com/lydialiebman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Lackershmid_Baker_Quintet_3000x3000-
1-scaled.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)

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