The Modern Jazz Quartet ~ Scandinavia (1960)

tracks
01. Django (5:31)
02. Bluesology (4:32)
03. La Ronde (3:07)
04. I Remember Clifford (5:09)
05. Vendome (2:29)
06. Odds Against Tomorrow (6:58)
07. Pyramid (8:44)
08. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It A (5:32)
09. 'Round Midnight (3:48)
10. Bags' Groove (5:10)
11. I'll Remember April (4:50)
12. Skating In Central Park (6:08)
13. I Should Care (5:23)
14. Festival Sketch (4:23)

Bluesology

Dave Koz & Friends ~ A Smooth Jazz Christmas

Cohesiveness is what separates this all-star Christmas release from the others. During the last four years, Dave Koz, vocalist Brenda Russell, pianist David Benoit, guitarist Peter White, and trumpeter Rick Braun have hit the road spreading holiday cheer among the smooth-jazz masses and their collaborative ease is palpable throughout these 14 tracks. Benoit is featured on "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," while Koz adds one of his best solos. Braun has the spotlight on "Little Drummer Boy," where Benoit shines too, and White highlights "Silent Night." All five players are credited for arrangements on most tracks, the craftiest of which is the '50's doo-wop of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," where you can almost hear the Drifters singing in the background. Russell also does a holiday version of her hit "Get Here," which is as powerful now as it was 10 years ago.

Friends are: David Benoit (piano), Rick Braun (Trumpet), Peter White (Guitar) with Brenda Russell and Kenny Loggins on vocals. 

tracks

01. Smooth Jazz Christmas Overture (8:32)

02. The Christmas Song (4:55)

03. O'Tannenbaum O'Tannenbaum, Sleigh Ride Medley (4:04)

04. Silent Night (4:34)

05. Beneath The Moonlit Sky (3:04)

06. Little Drummer Boy (4:27)

07. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (4:09)

08. December Makes Me Feel This Way (3:39)

09. Boogie Woogie Santa Claus (3:19)

10. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (3:49)

11. White Christmas (3:22)

12. Eight Candles (3:36)

13. Get Here (4:58)

14. 'Twas The Night Before Christmas (3:57)

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Chet Baker ~ Albert's House (1969)

Although this album has been proscribed and described as “possibly the worst ever” the songs themselves are not terrible. Most are simple, pretty tunes written by comedian Steve Allen. Allen was a big fan of Baker, he had him on his variety show several times in the 60's. This was his way of helping Chet get his career started again. This recording inexplicably keeps getting re-issued on CD. The CD versions rename the tracks, and they are remixed at a lower speed (actually, I think this was a correction, as it sounds more natural than the LP versions). ~ chetbakertribute.com

tracks

01  Albert's House 2:25

02  Farewell San Francisco 4:40

03  Time 4:21

04  I Should Have Told You 4:20

05  How Dare You Sir 3:19

06  End Of The Line 3:16

07  Pretty People 3:21

08  Sunday In Town 4:36

09  A Man Who Used To Be 3:18

10  Never Had This Felling Before 3:24

11  Life 4:05

12  Nice Little Girls 3:48