When, in September 1955, the Chet Baker Quartet arrived in Paris, they were filled with youthful optimism for they were about to embark upon a NATO sponsored eight-month European jolly, record the first phase of a seven-album deal with the prestigious Barclay label and enjoy the good life. The foursome completed their initial sessions on 11 and 14 October, but the entire itinerary went into freefall when, on 21 October, pianist Dick Twardzik was found dead in his hotel room from a heroin overdose. He was just 24.

Anyone remotely interested in Mis'tah Chet will already be in possession of these recordings.

Personally, I've received close on a dozen variations – mostly as doubles. Therefore, I suspect that just reissuing these two albums with their original cover artwork will not prompt a stampede at the checkout. And though they exist, there are no bonus tracks included to entice those who didn't splash out previously.

Of real interest here is the first volume, which is driven by Twardzik's obsession with the work of little known composer Bob Zieff (the programme is made up of eight Zieff originals plus a solitary contribution from Twardzik (‘The Girl From Greenland’). This was a most brave way of launching the Barclay deal, an album which is without question one of Chet's finest from this period in his career: firm lip, agile lines which mesh expertly with Zwardzik's highly personalised approach to bebop.

Where possible also seek out the unauthorised live concert CDs by the pair.

Recorded just three days after Twardzik's passing, the second set here proved to be an unwise decision, amounting to nothing more than a rush job. Local boy Gerard Gustin was at the piano while drummer Nils-Bertil Dahlander filled in for drug addicted Peter Littman who had fled back to the States. There was no real preparation, as a still in shock Baker gives the impression of being on auto-pilot while winding his way through eight very well-known standards such as ‘I'll Remember April’, ‘These Foolish Thing’, and ‘Lover Man’.