- Format: CD
- Label: Ace
- Genre: Jazz
The first two of several easy listening albums that Chet Baker fronted for World Pacific Records, in the mid-60s, under the name of The Mariachi Brass. Essentially a hipper version of Herb Alperts Tijuana Brass it featured many of Los Angeles most high-profile sessioneers of the 1960s, several of whom also played in the TJB. Some of the most notable players here include Tom Scott, Herb Ellis, Don Peake, Victor Feldman, Julius Wechter, Dennis Budimir, Al Casey and notable "Wrecking Crew" alumni Tommy Tedesco, Lyle Ritz, Frank Capp and Bill Pitman.
These two albums are the most notable of the series in that all of "A Taste Of Tequila" and all, bar four, tracks on "Hats Off!" were arranged by Ace hero Jack Nitzsche, in something of a continuation of his own instrumental work for Reprise Records during the 1960s.
Despite their ostensibly cheesy nature, Chet Baker is on record as saying he enjoyed the Mariachi Brass sessions. His flugelhorn playing reflects this - throughout these two albums it is very warm and involving.
None of the Mariachi Brass albums has ever been reissued, which means that this collection - from the original mono master tapes, the stereo versions having been lost - will fill a big gap in Chet Baker (and Jack Nitzsche) collections everywhere.
Track listing:
A TASTE OF TEQUILA
FLOWERS ON THE WALL
TEQUILA
MEXICO
LOVE ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART (CUANDO CALIENTA EL SOL)
HOT TODDY
TWENTY-FOUR HOURS FROM TULSA
SPEEDY GONZALES
COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER
EL PASO
LA BAMBA
HATS OFF
HAPPINESS IS
SURE GONNA MISS HER
BANG BANG (MY BABY SHOT ME DOWN)
THE PHOENIX LOVE THEME (SENZA FINE)
THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKING
ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE
ARMENS THEME
SPANISH HARLEM
CHIQUITA BANANA
WHEN THE DAY IS DONE
YOU BABY
ITS TOO LATE
COLONEL BOGEY MARCH
