The liner notes begin with this sentence: "It's hard to think of this album as anything short of the first major step towards real success for the exciting and appealing young singer being introduced here." Oh, well. The fact that
Pace
ended up, at best, a minor footnote in
jazz
history doesn't detract at all from the significant pleasures to be had on his 1958 debut. Supported by the
Chet Baker Quintet
(which at this point included flutist
Herbie Mann
, pianist
Joe Berl
, bassist
Jimmie Burke
, and, depending on the recording date, either
Ed Thigpen
or
Philly Joe Jones
on drums),
delivers a winning program of standards in a style that owes an obvious debt to
Frank Sinatra
, but distinguishes itself by means of fruitier tone and an occasionally pronounced vibrato. His renditions of
"The Way You Look Tonight"
and
"It Might as Well Be Spring"
are both completely charming, and the band supports him beautifully -- special kudos go to
Mann
, whose dry, swinging flute tone complement's
's voice perfectly. Recommended. ~ Rick Anderson