Best of: Chet Baker Sings

Chet Baker's trumpet and vocal approach is immediately recognizable and striking, especially in his prime. He was known for his clear tone, reflective and subdued style, soft volume and careful, restrained approach in his choices of notes for melodic sequences. He played in an army of bands before working briefly with Charlie Parker in 1952. Baker's voice on this recording clings to the melody, threatening to disintegrate at any moment. Many of his best tunes-"I Fall in Love Too Easily," "But Not for Me," "Let's Get Lost"-are collected here, and as such, there is no better place to begin an appreciation of Baker's unique singing.